Depression and Anxiety Quotes | Inspirational Words | Mental Health Quote

If you’re going through a difficult time, you’re not alone. Depression and anxiety are common – so common, in fact, that millions of Americans are contending with these conditions right now. The Anxiety & Depression Association of America (ADAA) estimates that over 40 million U.S. adults have a diagnosable anxiety disorder. They have also found that depression is the leading cause of disability in our country. These conditions are real, and their effects can be devastating. Today, we’d like to provide you with some comfort and encouragement in the form of depression and anxiety quotes.

Depression and Anxiety Quotes to Share with Loved Ones

Whether you’ve had depression for a few months or several years, you may have found that others don’t understand how you’re feeling. Anxiety works in the same way – friends and family may not empathize with you in stressful situations. Here are a few quotes to help your loved ones develop a deeper understanding of your emotions.

“Depression is like a heavy blanket. It covers all of me, and it’s hard to get up. But there’s comfort in it too. I know who I am when I’m under it.” – Unknown

“A human being can survive almost anything as long as she sees the end in sight. But depression is so insidious, and it compounds daily, that it’s impossible to ever see the end.” – Elizabeth Wurtzel, author of Prozac Nation

“Having anxiety and depression is like being scared and tired at the same time. It’s the fear of failure but no urge to be productive. It’s wanting friends but hating to socialize. It’s wanting to be alone but not wanting to be lonely. It’s caring about everything, then caring about nothing. It’s feeling everything at once, then feeling paralyzingly numb.” – Anonymous

“It’s my experience that people are a lot more sympathetic if they can see you hurting, and for the millionth time in my life I wish for measles or smallpox or some other easily understood disease just to make it easier on me and also on them.” – Jennifer Niven, author of All the Bright Places

Mental Health Quotes About Fighting the Stigma

Millions of people have mental health conditions, and they come from all walks of life. However, many do not seek treatment due to the negative social perceptions surrounding depression and anxiety. It’s important for us all to fight the stigma. Here are a few choice words on this subject.

“What I would tell kids going through anxiety, which I have and can relate to, is that you’re so normal. Everyone experiences a version of anxiety or worry in their lives, and maybe we go through it in a different or more intense way for longer periods of time, but there’s nothing wrong with you. To be a sensitive person that cares a lot, that takes things in in a deep way is actually part of what makes you amazing.” – Emma Stone​, actress

“A child’s mental health is just as important as their physical health and deserves the same quality of support. No one would feel embarrassed about seeking help for a child if they broke their arm.” — Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge

“I felt plagued with a negative attitude and a sense that I was permanently in the shade. I’m normally such a bubbly, positive person, and all of a sudden, I stopped feeling like myself. Anyone can be affected, despite their level of success or their place on the food chain. In fact, there is a good chance you know someone who is struggling with it since nearly 20% of American adults face some form of mental illness in their lifetime. So why aren’t we talking about it?” — Kristen Bell, actress

“After every Olympics I think I fell into a major state of depression, and after 2012 that was probably the hardest fall for me. I didn’t want to be in the sport anymore…a year and a half, two years after that…I didn’t want to be alive anymore. I think people actually finally understand it’s real. People are talking about it and I think this is the only way that it can change.” — Michael Phelps, Olympic athlete

“Anything that’s human is mentionable, and anything that is mentionable can be more manageable. When we can talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary.” – Fred Rogers, host of Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood

“What mental health needs is more sunlight, more candor, and more unashamed conversation.” – Glenn Close, actress

Picking Yourself Up: Inspiring Quotes

Even when things feel hopeless, there is always a path to recovery from depression and anxiety. Turn to this next set of quotes when you need motivation and inspiration to seek help, take care of yourself, and overcome your mental illness.

“Be not afraid of life. Believe that life is worth living, and your belief will help create the fact.” – William James, the father of American psychology

“When you’re born in a burning house, you think the whole world is on fire. But it’s not.” – Richard Kadrey, author of Aloha from Hell

“The moment you asked for forgiveness, God forgave you. Now do your part and leave the guilt behind.” – Anonymous

“If you want to conquer the anxiety of life, live in the moment, live in the breath.” – Amit Ray, author of Om Chanting and Meditation

“You don’t have to control your thoughts. You just have to stop letting them control you.” – Dan Millman, author and lecturer

“There are far, far better things ahead than anything we leave behind.” – C.S. Lewis, author of The Chronicles of Narnia

Help for Depression and Anxiety

If you’re battling depression or anxiety, Hope by the Sea can help. We provide dual diagnosis treatment for clients who are dealing with both addiction and mental illness. Our treatment center offers a welcome retreat from the stressors of day-to-day life. Contact our admissions office to learn more. Hope Starts Here!

Marijuana Withdrawal Symptoms

The risks and benefits of marijuana use have been hotly debated for at least three-quarters of a century. In recent years, official research into the drug’s medical value, increased popularity of cannabidiol (CBD), and full marijuana legalization in many states have again brought the debate to the forefront of public attention. One frequently argued question: is marijuana truly addictive?

Addicted to Marijuana

There is still considerable debate on what defines “marijuana addiction” and how many users have it. (The CDC estimates that one in ten of regular users will become addicted—one in six of those who begin using before age 18—but other research suggests that addiction may affect close to one in three marijuana users.) However, medical experts agree that marijuana use disorder (also called cannabis use disorder) is real, and a real problem for many people. Over 300,000 Americans seek professional help each year to quit marijuana, often after six or more attempts to stop on their own.

You may have the disorder if:

• You regularly spend more money on marijuana than you budgeted
• You use marijuana in situations where you know it’s illegal or otherwise banned
• Your marijuana use is interfering with work, relationships, or daily routines
• You’ve ever gotten high enough to cause an accident or injury
• You go on binges—smoking excessive amounts until you become fully detached from reality
• You’re developing “brain fog” problems (poor memory, lack of self-control, or difficulty concentrating)
• You have withdrawal symptoms when you go without marijuana for longer-than-usual periods.

Symptoms of Marijuana Withdrawal

Mild withdrawal is not necessarily proof of all-out addiction: virtually everyone experiences some perceptible discomfort when trying to quit any ingrained habit. Even people who use marijuana for purely medical reasons have withdrawal symptoms. (Important note: if you take any marijuana-derived prescription, get your doctor’s advice before discontinuing it—and if you experience any unusual symptoms while or after taking a prescription, do not jump to the conclusion that your old problem is coming back and the best response is to resume or increase marijuana doses.)

Withdrawal from marijuana usually takes 1–2 weeks (though it can take as long as four weeks for the brain to fully adjust to the new normal). Symptoms, typically at their worst between the first and third days, may include:

• Lack of appetite
• Nausea or stomach pain
• Heavy perspiration, chills, or (occasionally) fever
• Muscle tremors
• Severe headaches
• Difficulty concentrating
• Insomnia
• Vivid dreams or (occasionally) waking hallucinations
• Irritability or short temper
• Restlessness or anxiety
• Depression
• Desperate cravings to return to marijuana use

Some people also experience post-acute withdrawal symptoms for several weeks or months.

Getting Through Marijuana Withdrawal

The good news is that marijuana withdrawal is not particularly dangerous as addiction withdrawals go: closer to the classic discomforts of nicotine withdrawal (“quitting smoking”) than to the agonies of opiate withdrawal or the potentially life-threatening effects of alcohol withdrawal. Many people have succeeded in quitting marijuana by pure willpower or by tapering off, without experiencing major problems.

That said, many people do need help to quit marijuana, and even after quitting, relapse is always a potential risk. Long-term therapy and peer support (there’s a Marijuana Anonymous just as there is an Alcoholics Anonymous) are recommended for everyone. Anyone who has been using marijuana daily for years, uses additional drugs, or has co-occurring mental health disorders is at risk for particularly severe symptoms and should seek direct medical supervision during withdrawal.

Whatever level of treatment you choose for your own marijuana use problem, you can do a lot personally to ease withdrawal symptoms:

• Consult a doctor before you begin voluntary withdrawal.
• Eat healthy and drink plenty of water. Avoid sugar, caffeine, processed foods, and anything with stomach-irritating potential.
• Get all the sleep and rest you can.
• Exercise daily to release endorphins and help calm jittery emotions.
• Have a circle of supportive loved ones stay on hand to encourage you.
• And remember, this too shall pass, and soon you’ll feel much better for the short and the long term.

If You Need Professional Help with Marijuana Withdrawal

While not everyone with marijuana use disorder needs medical supervision to quit, many people find professional help invaluable. Hope by the Sea can help you make it through withdrawal from marijuana (or far more dangerous withdrawals from other addictions) and learn to live a rewarding, drug-free life. Contact us to request admission or a consultation. Hope Starts Here!

Orange County AA Beach Meetings

Ongoing support through your recovery from addiction can include participating in the 12-step program. As part of that program, the professional team at Hope by the Sea encourages clients to attend Alcoholic Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings. In fact, we take our clients to Orange County beach meetings for AA and NA to help them in their recovery journey.

Year-Round Meetings

The Orange County beaches are ideal for AA meetings throughout the year. Held outdoors on the beautiful and calming ocean, meetings are hardly ever canceled because of weather concerns. In fact, Orange County gets only about 14 inches of rain, on average, each year and has about 278 sunny days per year. Rated by the annual BestPlaces Comfort Index at a 9.2 out of 10, Orange County is one of the most pleasant locations in California.

How AA Meetings in Orange County Can Help

In the words of Alcoholics Anonymous, “Regardless of the road we follow, we all head for the same destination, recovery of the alcoholic person. Together, we can do what none of us could accomplish alone.” AA meetings help individuals who are going through the journey of recovery by giving them the support and encouragement they need to continue in their sobriety.

Newcomers are encouraged to “keep coming to meetings” as they benefit from exposure to multiple meetings, strengthening their understanding of the program and how it can help them. Those who are addicted to alcohol or drugs who try to stay sober on their own will typically struggle and will probably not be successful. Attendance at AA meetings can help you maintain your sobriety and enjoy the experience, in fellowship with others at the beach.

Your First Meeting

AA meetings are so important to your recovery that they are usually held even if there are only a few people in attendance. You may have heard some myths about AA meetings, including that you will have to stand up and say “I am an alcoholic” or that you’ll have to tell all of your secrets about your addiction while participating in group hugs and praying. In reality, you are not required to speak at all during a meeting, although it can be helpful to share as you feel comfortable doing so.

For Orange County beach meetings, you will find some additional surprises and benefits. Our area is one of the few places in the world with an abundance of beach meetings. You might spot dolphins in the distance as you are participating in one of the AA meetings in Orange County. Bring a beach chair to the meeting and be prepared to speak loudly so you can be heard over the waves!

Calming Ocean

One of the most rewarding benefits of Orange County beach meetings is the spiritual component of participating in an AA meeting at the ocean’s edge. The water, the air, and the sandy beach itself have been shown to benefit your mental health in many ways.

The sound of the waves can help you achieve a meditative state, proven to heal and strengthen your brain. Even the color of the blue ocean can calm your mind. The salty, misty air can also help you find a sense of calm.

There are negative ions in the ocean air that have been proven to have a pronounced anti-depressant effect. Even as early as 1932, an American research engineer noted the mood changes when individuals were exposed to the ocean air. Other studies have found that negatively ionized air can also alleviate some symptoms of mental health issues such as seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

Simply walking barefoot in the sand also has stimulating benefits for your body and your mind. Your feet can absorb free ions on the earth’s surface, much like your lungs can absorb the ions in the salt air. Walking barefoot is also known as grounding. Walking barefoot on the beach triggers a tingling warm sensation as a result of grounding to the earth.

Help for Addiction and Mental Health Issues

Taking our clients to healing AA meetings on the beach is an essential part of helping those who are overcoming addiction and mental health issues. At Hope by the Sea, a southern California addiction treatment center, we guide you through the journey of recovery from drug abuse as well as mental health issues. We specialize in treating you as a whole individual, as well as your family members who are affected, so everyone can embrace recovery with as much support and momentum as possible.

Our team continues to follow federal, state, and local public health guidelines regarding COVID-19 to ensure our clients' safety. Please contact us today to learn more about our programs and services. Hope Starts Here!

Can Stress Make You Sick?

Everyone faces some sort of stress almost every day. It could be as seemingly minor as waiting in line to check out at the grocery store when you are worried about everything else you have to do that day. Or it could be a major stress factor, such as losing a job or facing financial difficulties. Can stress make you sick? Stress can have a serious impact on your mental and your physical health, including your immune system.

Experiencing Stress

When you are stressed, your body’s internal chemistry changes. You have a stress hormone known as cortisol, which, along with your adrenaline and norepinephrine, surges as a result of stress. That increases your blood sugar levels, resulting in more glucose being allocated to your brain. The chain reaction is good for when you need a “fight or flight” response to a threatening situation.

However, the same biochemical responses will now kick into gear to help you react quickly when you’re under pressure and not necessarily seriously threatened. Rather than being faced with a predator, you may be running late for work or having an argument with a loved one. Prolonged stress, such as that experienced by most people during the COVID-19 pandemic, can also cause the chemical reaction in your body that can prove more harmful than helpful.

Stress and the Immune System

When you experience stress, your body increases its production of steroid hormones that include cortisol. These hormones normally regulate the immune system and help reduce inflammation, but chronic stress causes a miscommunication between your immune system and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Essentially, this is the interaction between the pituitary glands, the adrenal glands, and the hypothalamus. Your stress hormones can depress your immune system by lowering the activity of those cells that respond to bacteria, viruses, and other inflammatory conditions.

Stress Symptoms

Prolonged stress can increase your risk of getting sick. One study has found that 60% to 80% of doctor’s office visits may be related to the patient’s stress levels. You may experience physical symptoms as soon as your stress level starts to increase. The symptoms will worsen as your stress continues and, in fact, if your stress levels remain high or you experience stress frequently, your risk of getting sick will also rise.

Symptoms caused by stress can include:

• Increased blood pressure
• Increased heart rate
• Rapid breathing or shortness of breath
• Muscle tension
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Headaches

Stress and Your Physical Health

From aches and pains to migraines, stress has been known to be at the root of a number of illnesses or, at the least, to make you more susceptible given that your immune system has also been affected.

Common cold: Chronic stress can prevent your body from properly regulating its inflammatory responses. You may be more susceptible to developing a cold when exposed to cold-causing germs when you have experienced stress over a long period of time.

Stomach-related illnesses: Stress can stop your gastrointestinal system from functioning as it should, and that can affect your large bowel and stomach. You can experience indigestion, abdominal pain, constipation, and diarrhea as a result. Stress not only aggravates the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome but may be one of the main causes of the condition.

Obesity: Higher cortisol levels that are caused by chronic stress have been shown to influence weight gain. When you experience sleep issues related to stress, your cortisol levels are raised even further and that can lead to increases in your belly fat. You will probably also crave sweets and refined carbohydrates, which contribute to poor nutrition.

Heart disease: Stress, including that related to finances, work, life events, and emotional concerns, can increase your risk of heart disease. Increased blood pressure and cholesterol levels are directly linked to heart disease. Stress can also significantly increase your risk of having a fatal heart attack.

Stress and Addiction Treatment

When you need help with chronic stress and addiction, reach out to Hope by the Sea. You may be one of the 47.6 million Americans struggling with a mental health disorder, possibly from your chronic stress, as well as an alcohol or substance use disorder. We can help. Our team of highly trained professionals can help you heal and begin your journey of recovery. We offer many unique, evidence-based therapies designed to help you get on or get back on the road toward lasting recovery. Hope starts here!