Dealing with Depression and Anxiety in Recovery
Dealing with challenging emotions during recovery, especially when it comes to confronting long-buried feelings like grief, anxiety, depression, and shame, is a daunting journey. Sobriety demands facing these emotions head-on, without the crutch of substances to lean on.
It can feel overwhelming, but it’s a vital part of the recovery process. Here are some strategies to navigate through feelings of depression and anxiety with grace and resilience.
Hang Tight
You’ve heard this: “The only way out is through.” When facing feelings like grief, anxiety, and depression in recovery, it’s crucial to resist the urge to check out or resort to old behaviors. By utilizing the tools learned in recovery, we can navigate discomfort, knowing that feelings pass. Much of our harmful behavior stems from avoiding discomfort, so staying resilient, seeking help, and practicing honesty are vital. The support of a trusted counselor can be invaluable in managing depression and anxiety during this journey of recovery.
Seek Help For Depression and Anxiety
Being connected with a trusted support network is critical. Having someone to check in about your feelings with can be incredibly useful. Talking with someone who can empathize – such as a sponsor, sober friend or counselor can help you remember you aren’t alone. They can offer helpful perspective and remind you that it is never as bad as it seems. Mental health professionals will also be able to advise on a treatment plan if needed.
Get into Service
Thinking of others is a surefire and time-tested way to feel better. Even if helping others for a few hours doesn’t solve your problem, it is likely to give you a fresh perspective and a bit of sane distance from feeling depression and anxiety symptoms. Sometimes a healthy distraction is all we need to relax and get some fresh energy. If you can’t think of any obvious ways to help others, get creative. It can be as small as a warm smile to a cashier, or a check-in call to a friend who has been isolated. The idea is to stop thinking of yourself for a bit. Service to other people in recovery is easy enough, with endless opportunities to offer comfort to someone worse off than you.
Get Curious
Sometimes when we feel ongoing depression and anxiety, taking a peek under the hood is in order. Sure, everyone – no matter how emotionally healthy they are – feels these things from time to time, but if tough feelings persist, they might indicate we have some work to do. Perhaps we are neglecting the work of our recovery, and a deep dive is in order. A trusted counselor, sponsor, or mentor can often help offer clarity on these matters. Many of us have found that ongoing anxiety or depression could be trusted by honest work in the 12 steps and/or the help of a good therapist.
Depression and Anxiety
For those diagnosed with anxiety, exploring treatment options with our doctors and therapists can be the first step to successfully treating your condition. For many people, medical treatment is not necessary. Sometimes lifestyle changes may be enough to cope with the symptoms. However, in moderate-to-severe cases, medication and diet can help you overcome the symptoms and lead a more manageable day-to-day life.
At SLO Recovery Center, we realize no two people are affected by depression in the same way. We also realize there is no “one size fits all” treatment to cure depression. SLO Recovery Center will help you become as informed as possible, so you can participate effectively in your own treatment and feel happy and hopeful again. Treatment for anxiety and depression at SLO Recovery Center falls into two categories: psychotherapy and medication. Meeting with our psychiatrist, naturopath, or therapist will help with learning tools to use and strategies to cope with anxiety when it occurs.
Please note: if you’re having thoughts of suicide and/or have had trouble with chronic, recurring depression or anxiety in the past, it is advisable to speak to someone as soon as possible. Crisis resources in your area can be found here, or at 1-800-273-8255, and you can get in touch with SLO’s trained staff here.