Depression & Anxiety

Depression and anxiety hang like a cloud over your daily life, keeping you from thoroughly enjoying your family and friends and achieving what you want. The Weekend Clinic, under the direction of Peter Nguyen, DO, offers private and convenient telepsychiatry services from their Washington, DC, office to help patients manage and overcome depression and anxiety. Call today or use the online tool to book an appointment. 

How are depression and anxiety related?

Depression and anxiety are different mental health conditions, but they often occur together. 

Depression is a clinically diagnosable condition in which you feel persistent sadness and hopelessness. You lose enthusiasm for activities you once enjoyed. Depression can affect sleep, appetite, and energy levels.

Anxiety is characterized by fear and unnecessary worry. You may have trouble focusing on daily life because of unfounded concerns. 

What are the symptoms of depression and anxiety?

The symptoms of anxiety and depression are different but can occur at the same time. People who have anxiety may experience:

• Inability to control worry
• Nightmares, and flashbacks
• Nervousness
• Restless feelings
• Insomnia
• Muscle tension

Anxiety can also cause panic attacks, which are physical reactions that include sweating, heart palpitations, dizziness, and nausea. 

Depression symptoms include a persistent, unshakable sadness that lasts for weeks or months. Depression can make you feel like you have no purpose in life and can lead to thoughts of self-harm.

Both anxiety and depression can cause people to withdraw from family and friends. 

Why do people develop depression and anxiety?

It’s not fully understood why some people develop depression and anxiety. Usually, a combination of factors is involved:

• Genetic link
• Trauma
• Brain chemical imbalances
• Medical conditions like chronic pain

Therapy provided by the team at the Weekend Clinic helps get at the root causes of your depression and anxiety so you’re better able to address the conditions. 

How do you treat depression and anxiety?

Your therapist customizes treatment for depression and anxiety for each patient. Usually, treatment consists of a combination of lifestyle changes, medications, and individual therapy.

Lifestyle changes might include an improved diet, increased physical activity, and avoidance of substances like alcohol. Antidepressants and antianxiety medications help ease symptoms. The providers at the Weekend Clinic use genetic testing to determine the best medications and dosing for your particular physical makeup. 

Individual therapy has you meet virtually with a professional therapist to talk through triggers and negative thoughts. They can help you develop better coping mechanisms, so you have fewer anxiety symptoms and depressive thoughts. 

Schedule an appointment at the Weekend Clinic to discuss symptoms of depression and anxiety. Call or use the online tool to reach out.