Depression & Anxiety

"Once you choose hope, anything is possible."

- Christopher Reeve

Life in the 21st century is fast paced, complex and stressful. We now live in the age of social media and 24-hour news and communication.   There are unexpected events, losses and setbacks that can be destabilizing.  People’s capacity to cope is increasingly tested and often overwhelmed.   

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) an estimated 19.1% of U.S. adults have had an anxiety disorder in the past year and over 31% of U.S. adults experience an anxiety disorder at some time in their lives.   In a given year, approximately 20.9 million American adults have a mood disorder.  Depressive disorders often co-occur with anxiety disorders or substance abuse. 

Many times these symptoms develop gradually over a period of time and may be hard to differentiate from normal “ups and downs.”   Sometimes there is a clear onset or trigger for them.   You may have tried to manage these symptoms on your own without success or consistent improvement.  It may be time to see a professional who can help.

Anxiety

Signs and symptoms of anxiety may include:

• Feeling tense, restless, or on edge

• Inability to relax

• Frequent or uncontrollable worry

• Insomnia or fatigue

• Panic attacks

• Physical stress symptoms

• Social or performance anxiety

• Obsessions and compulsions 

• Irritability

• Feeling overwhelmed by everyday tasks

The good news is that these symptoms are treatable and your suffering can be reduced.  Dr. Wise has  extensive experience successfully treating anxiety disorders and has helped many people with these problems.  His approach is quite broad and includes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), behavioral relaxation training, mindfulness, and lifestyle changes such as exercise, stress management and sleep hygiene.  Dr. Wise helps patients develop a specific set of individualized “coping tools” to reduce their anxiety.  He also partners with physicians and psychiatrists when medication is a component of your treatment plan.

Depression

Untreated or unrecognized depression can create a host of problems.  It may rob you of your joy, happiness, and life satisfaction.  It can damage relationships, cause problems with work, and contribute to physical health problems.  Clinical depression is not something you can usually pull yourself out of.  It often requires psychotherapy and sometimes the combination of medication and therapy.

Signs and symptoms of depression may include:

• Depressed mood that doesn’t resolve

• Feelings of sadness, hopelessness, emptiness

• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities 

• Low motivation or drive

• Mood fluctuations or mania

• Insomnia or excessive sleeping

• Fatigue or loss of energy

• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt

• Thoughts of death, self-harm or suicide

• Diminished ability to think or concentrate

• Low self-esteem

These symptoms don’t have to rule your life.  They often respond well to psychological treatment.  As a clinical psychologist, Dr. Wise has helped numerous people to overcome depression and anxiety.  His empathic and supportive approach assists people to recover their vitality and hope and helps them to find better ways to manage life’s challenges.  Talking with Dr. Wise may be the beginning of your recovery. 

If you are suffering with depression or anxiety and need help, contact Dr. Wise today.