YOUR RESULTS
What follows is not a psychological interpretation, therapeutic advice, nor does it take the place of a professional assessment. It is offered as a general summary of the responses you selected. Regardless of what’s displayed below, if you are experiencing strong and/or frequent negative feelings/thoughts, please seek assistance.
Depression
depression results here
Anxiety
anxiety results here
Stress
stress results here
ABOUT DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, & STRESS
Depression, anxiety, and stress are normal experiences. Everyone is has faced them to some degree at one time or another in their life. Usually they are a natural and expected response to some situation you are going through. For example, when a pet dies, of course you feel depressed for a while; your sadness is a sign that you loved your companion. Similarly, when you have a big test coming up, anxiety comes in to help motivate you to become prepared.
Depression is generally experienced as a lack of energy, pessimism, decrease in enjoyment, and hopelessness. The characteristics of anxiety can include panic, feeling shaky or trembl, worries, pounding heart, and short of breath. Signs of stress are such things as feeling tense, irritable, fidgety, and intolerant of interruptions or delays.
Many times, practicing good self-care can help you cope with difficult times. The three best things you can do for yourself are get adequate and restful sleep, eat balanced meals & snacks , and engage in moderate, regular physical activity. (I know–everyone says this! There’s a reason for that, you know.) Start small and go from there. Other activities that can refresh your spirit include:
- Taking time for yourself to unwind and relax (engage your senses: listen to music, get a massage, burn some incense, go for a walk and look at nature, etc., etc.)
- Being involved in projects that interest you (bake some cookies, organize your CDs, volunteer, start or continue a hobby, etc., etc.)
- Connecting with people whose company you enjoy (in-person is best, but phone, email, or letters are also good)
There are many more things you could do. Brainstorm a list of your favorites so you have several suggestions on hand when you need them.
However, sometimes depression, anxiety, or stress get “stuck” in your life and won’t leave. When these sufferings are present at a high level of distress, it might be time to seek professional help. If you have been experiencing them for a long time, and your efforts to deal with these negative thoughts and feelings doesn’t seem to be working, find some assistance. There are many options for improving things for you. Ask trusted family members and friends for recommendations. Talk to your doctor, or call a mental health professional.