Change is hard for everyone, but the stress of change for some can be enough to induce symptoms of anxiety, and or depression. It is often the case that mental illness first shows itself around major changes in a person’s life.
For young adults, the move out of one’s family home and into a college environment can be a trying time, and college students are particularly vulnerable as a result. As adults, transitions include job change, relocation, marriage and divorce, the loss of close friends and family, aging, and retirement can be quite trying. It is important to pay attention to how one is managing these major life stressors and reach out for help if needed.
Any concerns over particular life phases, such as career development, relationship and divorce, grief and loss, or parenting challenges can be managed by empowering and teaching a person to use tools to help recognize and reframe ineffective thought patterns and behaviors. This can be done in a therapeutic setting and the skills learned can help with any future concerns.