Do I have anxiety or depression?

May 15

How to Recognize the Signs, Break the Stigma, and Take Preventative Steps Toward Mental Health

Many people silently ask themselves this question:
“Is this just stress, or is it something more?”
“Am I just tire, or could I be depressed?”
“Do I worry too much, or is this anxiety?”

The truth is, emotional wellness isn’t always black and white. Mental health exists on a spectrum, and you don’t need a crisis or diagnosis to seek support. In fact, therapy is most powerful when it’s proactive, not reactive.

At Your Journey Through, we believe mental health care should be seen the same way as physical health care: it’s something you maintain, not something you turn to only when everything’s falling apart.

How anxiety and depression often show up

These two conditions can look very different from person to person but here are a few key differences and overlap:

Common signs of anxiety:

Constant overthinking or racing thoughts
Physical symptoms like muscle tension, headaches, or an upset stomach
Trouble sleeping, relaxing, or staying present
Avoidance of certain situations due to fear or worry
Feeling like something bad is always about to happen

Common signs of depression:

Low energy or persistent fatigue
A sense of hopelessness or “numbness”
Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed
Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
Feeling overwhelmed by daily tasks

And here’s the important part: you don’t need to check every box to “qualify” for support. If even one or two symptoms are affecting your quality of life, that’s enough reason to talk to someone.

It doesn’t have to get worse before it gets better

One of the biggest myths we hear, especially from Gen X and Boomer generations, is that therapy is for people who are really struggling. Often, our parents or grandparents only turned to mental health care during a true crisis, if at all. But younger generations are changing that narrative.

Millennials and Gen Z are normalizing therapy as a tool for self-growth and stress prevention. If you're a Gen X parent, you might be caught between these two worlds, recognizing that waiting until things are unbearable doesn’t serve you or your family.

And that insight? It makes you the perfect role model for your teen.

Therapy is a smart, preventative investment

Mental health issues don’t usually show up overnight. They build over time—through chronic stress, unspoken emotions, unrealistic expectations, and a lack of support. Therapy helps you interrupt that cycle before things escalate.

In fact, many of our clients tell us: "I wish I had started sooner."

By getting curious now, not waiting for a “rock bottom” moment, you give yourself (and your family) the gift of clarity, regulation, and resilience.

When to consider therapy

If you’re wondering whether therapy might help, ask yourself:

Do I feel like I’m constantly “on edge” or burned out?
Have I lost interest or motivation lately?
Is it hard for me to relax, enjoy things, or be present with loved ones?
Am I more irritable or withdrawn than usual?
Do I find myself wondering if something is “wrong” with me?

If you answered yes to even a couple of these, you don’t need to wait for things to get worse. Therapy can help you understand what’s going on and support you in feeling more like yourself again.