What Can I Do to Improve My Depression and Anxiety?

Close to one half of people who experience an anxiety disorder, such as generalized anxiety disorder, also experience clinical symptoms for depression, a mood disorder. Even though both depression and anxiety disorders can be challenging and disruptive, you have many treatment options available that have proven successful with improving symptoms.

Education

• One of the most important ways that you can begin to improve your depression and anxiety is by educating yourself about both disorders. Most professional treatment programs involve a psychoeducational component that covers common types and triggers for symptoms, as well as treatment options.

Therapy

• Seeking professional therapy can also help you to better understand and manage symptoms, as well as experience overall improvement. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is highly successful with both anxiety disorders and depression. Other effective therapy options include interpersonal and psychodynamic therapies.

Medication

• Psychiatric medications are another option for improving depression and anxiety. Antidepressants are commonly prescribed for depression, but they can have serious side effects. Common medications for anxiety disorders include benzodiazepines and antidepressants and are more effective when combined with therapy.

Lifestyle

• A wide variety of lifestyle changes can also help. Some lifestyle changes that can improve both depression and anxiety include engaging in regular, moderate exercise, eating a balanced, healthy diet, getting regular sleep, maintaining a strong social support community, and learning stress reduction and relaxation techniques.

Recommendations

• Educating yourself can be one of the most important first steps toward seeing an improvement in your depression and anxiety. However, depression and anxiety cannot be treated in isolation, so be sure to maintain regular and open communication with your support community and your mental health professional.