Combatting Increasing Rates of Anxiety and Depression
Levels of depression and anxiety are at an all-time high. Currently the top two reasons
individuals go to counseling is for anxiety and depression.
Since the 1940’s, depression and anxiety in young adults have shown a significant
increase according to the National Institutes of Health. From 2005 to 2015, depression
rose among Americans ages 12 and older with the most rapid increases seen in young
people. Children are requiring psychiatric help and treatment earlier and more frequently
with more children and adults seeking help. Dave Schroeder, Ph.D., LPC, says that
one of the main issues is losing connection with others.
Schroeder is the director of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program for the
School of Health Professions. He gives several tips to combat anxiety and depression
in an age of an online world.
Connect. Half an hour of face-to-face time talking with a friend or someone we appreciate
is a major asset to helping individuals with potential for depression. Research shows
that large networks of friends aren’t necessary to have the benefits of social interaction.
Simply having one person, even a pet, to connect and communicate with helps boost
happiness.
Disconnect. With constant notifications and a never-ending stream of entertainment available
on our smart phones, Schroeder encourages individuals to take time to set aside phones
and online entertainment and disconnect with technology. It’s so easy to lose a grasp
on reality and the connections one has when focused on online entertainment.
Many people feel a mismatch between what they see online and reality. A new study
in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine finds that the more time a young
adult uses social media, the more likely they are to feel socially isolated. This
disconnect can cause decreased satisfaction with life and lower self-confidence, making
disconnecting from the online sphere crucial to combatting depression.
Identify something good in each day. Even for patients and individuals who have really difficult circumstances, Schroeder
says that we can all find something good in each day. Recognizing good can help reduce
toxic emotions like frustration, envy, stress and discouragement. For years, research
has shown that gratitude is a major contributor to reducing stress. As stress increases,
individuals are more likely to experience negative emotional health including depression
and anxiety.
The more negative images an individual takes in, the less dopamine and serotonin available
to circulate in your brain. These neurotransmitters help make people happy. When an
individual takes negativity in, it can be very hard to feel positive.
“The better I can help people connect with the people in their lives and make better
choices about the people in their lives, the better off they are,” Schroeder said.
Reconnecting with life and finding happiness where we are comes from simple changes
that can minimize anxiety and depression.
For more information about the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, please visit
https://www.ttuhsc.edu/health-professions/master-of-science-clinical-mental-health-counseling/
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