Depression and anxiety can feel layered, deep and complicated, and they are often difficult to identify by oneself. If not dealt with in time, they can spiral out of control and seriously affect your daily life. It's important to know how to identify their early signs and when to seek help.

In this article, I will list some feelings you may be experiencing when suffering from depression, anxiety or both conditions at the same time. Due to the complexity of depression and anxiety, I will keep this post straightforward and hopefully manageable.

Mental pain... is more common and also harder to bear. The frequent attempt to conceal mental pain increases the burden: it is easier to say, 'My tooth is aching' than to say, 'My heart is broken'.

- C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain

If you are unsure and have questions about what you are experiencing, ask for the professional help from a mental health specialist. We can develop a proper treatment plan for you when in need.

You may be suffering from depression if you are experiencing any of the following:

• Worthlessness
• Excessive sleeping & tiredness
• Isolation
• Feelings of hopelessness
• Loss of enjoyment in your favourite activities
• Persistent sadness
• Self-harm and destructive thoughts

You may be suffering from anxiety if you are experiencing any of the following:

• Sleep trouble
• Feeling a loss of control
• Fear
• Intrusive thoughts
• Trembling
• Nervousness
• Sensing danger & impending doom
• Increased breath & heart rate
• Excessive worrying

When suffering from both, you may be experiencing a whole new range of symptoms, including some physical ones:

• Neck and back pain
• Stomach pain
• Physical symptoms
• Frustration
• Restlessness
• Appetite change
• Avoidance
• Agitation

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms described above, get in touch today. We can arrange an online assessment to discuss your situation and gain more insight and understanding on how I may help you going forward.

If you or your organisation are looking for support for staff who suffer from Anxiety or Depression, Poole Therapies offers professional guidance and services tailored to your needs. We work with businesses to promote mental well-being and provide strategies to manage the emotional impact of the work. To find out more, visit Poole Therapies for Businesses or get in touch with us directly. We're here to help.