Anxiety Can Feel Like the Truth – But It Isn’t

Anxiety has a sneaky way of convincing us that our worst fears are facts. It connects dots that don’t actually exist and spins a narrative that feels urgent, real, and personal. But when we let that narrative take over, our thoughts, and ultimately our actions, start to reflect fear rather than reality.

When Thoughts Spiral, So Do Our Actions

Let’s say your friends hang out without inviting you. Anxiety might tell you, “They left you out on purpose. They don’t really like you.” That thought snowballs, and before you know it, you’re ignoring them, pulling away, or even blocking them – actions that don’t reflect your values, but your fear.

Anxiety Thrives on Isolation and Self-Sabotage

That’s what anxiety does – it convinces us to disconnect, retreat, and protect ourselves in ways that are ultimately harmful. It tells us we’re not wanted, not safe, not enough. And when we listen, we start making decisions that reflect those fears instead of our values.

Choose a Grounded Thought Instead

One of the most powerful things you can do is pause and reality-check the story anxiety is feeding you. Ask yourself: what are some realistic, non-threatening explanations for this situation? Most of the time, you’ll find there are several. Then, choose to act based on that story instead. Maybe you go about your day as usual. Maybe you text your friends to say hi or ask how their plans went. Maybe you take it as a chance to enjoy some solo time. When your thoughts shift, your actions follow – and your anxiety loses a little more power.

Something as simple as shifting one anxious thought can change your entire response – and by extension, your relationships, your peace, and your sense of self. The more you practice separating your identity from your anxiety, the more freedom you create in your life.

If anxiety is causing tension in your relationships or pushing you toward decisions that don’t feel true to who you are, we’re here to help. Schedule a session with one of our therapists today – you don’t have to figure it out alone.

Why Someone Suffering From Depression Can’t Just ‘Get Over It’

When talking about depression, a lot of people forget that depression is an illness that requires proper attention and treatment. If you’re depressed, it can be incredibly frustrating to hear things like “Just get over it”, “You’re being really dramatic”, “You have to be strong”, “Learn to deal with it”, “Happiness is a choice”. You might start to think of things like ‘Why can’t I just get over it’? We can stop ourselves from doing destructive things like putting our hand in a fire, but when it comes to depression, it’s a bit difficult to just ‘stop’. There are a number of reasons why ‘get over it’ statements like this don’t help. Here are some of the best reasons why.

  1. It’s an illness– Depression is an illness, an illness that you have little control over, just like any other illness. Nobody tells people with broken bones to get over their pain. So why should depressed people be forced to ‘get over’ theirs? Always remember that your pain is valid, and as long as you’re getting help by speaking to a mental health professional, you’re on the path to healing.

  2. The brain is in control– Studies have shown that people experiencing depression have symptoms controlled by an unconscious emotional process that is usually beyond their control. Remember that depression is an incredibly complex disease caused by a combination of biological, psychological, and sociological factors.

  3. The symptoms can be debilitating– Depressed people exhibit both physical and emotional symptoms. These symptoms include things like nausea, headaches, restlessness, fatigue, and insomnia.

  4. You can’t wish it away– Nobody likes being depressed. Just because you want to feel better doesn’t mean you can wave a wand and get rid of it. You can desire to feel better, but until you work with a therapist, there is no magical route to getting better.

  5. You can’t always pretend– People always act like depressed people should plaster a huge smile on their face and pretend like everything is perfect. You can’t just shove your emotions down and pretend like they don’t exist. The mind keeps replaying them. This is its way of reminding you that you have an ongoing issue that needs to be handled by a professional.

  6. Depression isn’t ‘one size fits all’– People experience depression in different ways and exhibit different symptoms. Just because they can go about their daily activities efficiently doesn’t mean they’re not ill. Don’t compare yourself to other people. Depression changes everything and there’s no universal treatment. A therapist can help you find a treatment perfectly suited to you.

Depression is real and painful. Just because you can’t see or touch it doesn’t make it any less real. If you suffer from depression or know someone who does, working with a therapist is a good start to overcoming your depression. I am available to help. Contact me to book a therapy session.

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