Coping with Anxiety and Depression: Tips and Strategies

personally, i've tried to really focus on self-reflection and determining the root of it. while of course these are mental illnesses, and there isn't always a cause beyond brain chemistry, there are often a lot of vicious cycles involved in anxiety and depression. for me, it has boiled down to self-esteem. so i've been working on my lack of self-worth and independence, learning to be able to trust myself again and repair my relationship with myself. i've also learned to stop seeing my mental illness as something deeply tied to my identity. my illnesses are not me, they are just something i have to deal with. this has allowed me to take a step back and realize that it's not impossible for me to feel better, and that thoughts and emotions are temporary. i think ultimately it comes down to figuring out the underlying beliefs about yourself and your life that are hiding behind the anxiety and depression. do you believe you're unlovable, or a failure? do you believe your life can never change? do you believe everyone is out to get you? the truth is, these beliefs are rooted in emotion, not reality. once you realize that your thoughts and feelings are not fact, you can begin to challenge them. cognitive behavioral therapy skills like identifying thought distortions and reframing your thoughts to be more realistic is the most common way to do so, and there are a lot of apps and online resources that can help guide you through that. of course, my journey would also not be going so well without medication and years of therapy. there are a lot of ways to improve your mental health on your own if treatment isn't available, but i always recommend professional help for any kind of psychiatric disorder. that said, professional help is also not a replacement for putting in work yourself! it's best to find a balance of both.