Everyone experiences stress, but anxiety disorder involves excessive worry that’s difficult to control and interferes with daily life. Signs of an anxiety disorder include: worrying about many different things most days for at least 6 months, physical symptoms like racing heart, muscle tension, or difficulty breathing, avoiding situations due to fear or worry, difficulty concentrating, sleep problems, and feeling restless or on edge. If anxiety is preventing you from doing things you want or need to do, or if you’re spending excessive time worrying, it’s worth seeking professional help.

Sadness is a normal emotion that comes and goes, usually in response to specific situations. Clinical depression is a persistent low mood that lasts most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks. Depression symptoms include: loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy, changes in appetite or sleep, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, and thoughts of death or suicide. Depression is a medical condition that affects your brain chemistry and requires treatment, it’s not something you can just “snap out of.”

Many people notice some improvement within 4-8 weeks of starting therapy, though full treatment typically takes 12-20 sessions for anxiety and depression. The exact timeline depends on the severity of symptoms, how long you’ve been experiencing them, and what type of therapy you’re receiving. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) are evidence-based approaches that often show results relatively quickly. Your therapist will work with you to set goals and track progress throughout treatment.

Not everyone with anxiety or depression needs medication. Therapy alone is effective for many people, especially with mild to moderate symptoms. For moderate to severe anxiety or depression, a combination of therapy and medication often works best. Your therapist can help you assess whether medication might be helpful and refer you to a psychiatrist or primary care provider if appropriate. The decision to use medication is always yours to make in consultation with your healthcare providers.

Your first session focuses on getting to know you and understanding what brought you to therapy. Your therapist will ask about your symptoms, when they started, what makes them better or worse, your personal and family mental health history, and your goals for therapy. You’ll also discuss what to expect from the therapeutic process and may start learning some initial coping strategies. The first session is collaborative. You’re interviewing the therapist as much as they’re assessing you to ensure it’s a good fit.

While symptoms may temporarily improve on their own, untreated anxiety and depression typically persist or worsen over time. Without treatment, these conditions can significantly impact your relationships, work, physical health, and quality of life. The good news is that anxiety and depression are highly treatable - about 80% of people who seek treatment experience significant improvement. Early intervention often leads to faster recovery and better long-term outcomes.