Ever have "one of those days"? Those days where you "woke up on the wrong side of the bed?". I'm sure you have. We all do. Do you ever get butterflies in your stomach or have those nights where falling asleep is difficult because you have stuff on your mind? Of course, these things are a normal part of life.
For some though, the sleepless night turns into two, then three, then a week. Those "days" become one, then two, then three or more. The butterflies don't go away, the mind doesn't shut down at night. The feelings of sadness or irritability become constant. Your friends and family start to ask you what's wrong. Your boss notices that you are having trouble getting your work done. You start losing contact with friends because you just can't get out of the house to those social activities you've been invited to. Your parter or spouse wonders when you'll smile again.
When depression and anxiety begin to effect your job, your friendships, your ability to get those daily tasks done, your relationships with your family, your children, and your ability to be happy or see the good things in life, is when you may need help to overcome the hold it has on you. Sometimes depression and anxiety can be so overwhelming it feels like there is no end in sight, like there is no light at the end of the tunnel and finding happiness again is like searching for a needle in an extra large haystack.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can be very effective for the treatment of anxiety and/or depression. It is not uncommon for depression and anxiety to co-exist together. CBT looks at the way that your brain talks to itself, something that you may be unaware of now because it is automatic in nature, and works to change those thoughts to thoughts that are more positive and more balanced. It doesn't mean that negative thoughts won't ever come up again, but it does mean that you will have the tools you need to get out of the grip depression/anxiety can have on you.