Anxiety and depression don’t have to get you down: read on for expert tips on managing your mental health.
Whether it’s spiralling thoughts or a loss of appetite, it’s sometimes tough to tell if changes in our mood and behaviour are a symptom of a bigger problem (read: a mental health condition like depression). Nowadays, many turn to TikTok and Instagram mental health pages for advice and even self-diagnosis. But these accounts aren’t a reliable source of therapy unless they’re run by certified professionals.
That’s why we decided to seek out an expert. To destigmatise the conversation around mental health, we spoke to Dr Joseph Leong, a senior psychiatrist at Promises Healthcare, on some of the most common conditions – anxiety and depression.
How do you know if you have anxiety or depression?
What exactly is anxiety? And what is depression? Simply put, Dr Leong shares that anxiety is a feeling of worry, panic or fear. On the other hand, depression is characterised by a feeling of low mood, reduced energy and a loss of interest in one’s usual activities.
Some people develop one or the other, but it’s also not uncommon to have both depression and anxiety at the same time. (PSA: if you suspect that you may have a mental health condition, it’s best to consult a doctor for an expert diagnosis.)
Is it ‘just a phase’?
Some may consider anxiety or depression as a passing phase or simply someone’s personality, a misconception that leads to people ‘waiting it out’. Early treatment is essential, Dr Leong says, as it can prevent the disorder from causing long term effects on the patient.
Having a mental health condition isn’t just being nervous or pessimistic – it’s a legitimate health concern that benefits from treatment. It can arise from factors like prolonged stress or even genetic vulnerability. If you have persistent or pervasive anxiety or depression that affects your quality of life, recognising that it’s not ‘just a phase’ is the first step on the road to recovery!
Say it with us: there’s no shame in seeking professional help. Dr Leong recommends seeing a psychiatrist for medication and a psychologist to learn how to manage your thought process. This can help stabilise a mental health disorder, such as social anxiety, performance anxiety and clinical depression.
Can you fully recover?
Of course, people can recover from clinical anxiety and depression. But the misconception is that once you’re recovered, you’ll never experience it again. However, this is like expecting someone to never catch a cold again, Dr Leong says.
In order to successfully manage a condition and improve your quality of life, some people may benefit from continued medication or therapy, while others may not need further professional help. It all depends on the individual’s condition and circumstances, so consult your mental health professional when in doubt.
Rewiring the brain
Many treatments focus on neuroplasticity, where the brain can rewire itself and change patterns of thinking, feeling and behaviour. When someone is frequently exposed to positive experiences and emotions, the neural pathway for positive thoughts are reinforced. This helps to reshape the brain’s negative perspectives to a more positive one, which inspires hope and helps the person rediscover a purposeful identity.
How can you do this outside of visiting a doctor or therapist? Exposure to positive experiences can be done through intentionally scheduling activities that bring you joy. It sounds cheesy, but it works. Make time for the people you enjoy socialising with, devote yourself to a fun hobby… and the list goes on. What’s important is spending time on things that give you feelings of connectedness, hope, identity, meaning and empowerment (Dr Leong uses the acronym C.H.I.M.E.).
Aside from seeking professional help, staying connected to the things that make life enjoyable and having a healthy support system of loved ones are the keys to overcoming a mental health disorder. Keen to get an expert consultation? Book an appointment with Promises Healthcare.
This post is in partnership with Promises Healthcare.