{"id":2505,"date":"2026-05-07T12:06:37","date_gmt":"2026-05-07T12:06:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kensmartips.com\/depression\/?p=2505"},"modified":"2026-05-07T12:06:37","modified_gmt":"2026-05-07T12:06:37","slug":"why-anxiety-and-depression-are-connected-avoidance-and-willingness-with-painful-emotions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kensmartips.com\/depression\/?p=2505","title":{"rendered":"Why Anxiety and Depression Are Connected: Avoidance and Willingness With Painful Emotions"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"480\" height=\"270\" src=\"\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/tqFBipaU620\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Discover how avoidance links anxiety and depression, and learn to embrace painful emotions through willingness with therapist Emma McAdam&#8217;s guidance.<br \/>\nJoin Therapy in a Nutshell\u2019s membership: https:\/\/courses.therapyinanutshell.com\/membership<br \/>\nYou&#8217;ll get instant access to all 10 life-changing courses, live weekly Q&amp;As, and a supportive community for just $27\/month. Learn how to manage anxiety, process trauma, regulate emotions, and build lasting resilience so that you can live a deeply rich and meaningful life! <\/p>\n<p>In this video, we\u2019re going to talk about one way that depression and anxiety are linked &#8211; avoidance &#8211; and the antidote to avoidance &#8211; willingness. <\/p>\n<p>Depression and anxiety are closely connected, with many people experiencing both at the same time. This isn\u2019t a coincidence. Rather, the way we respond to stress and painful emotions may determine whether our anxiety or depression grows.<br \/>\nAvoidance can cause both depression and anxiety, but an antidote to avoidance is willingness, practicing the skill of allowing yourself to feel your emotions without needing to make them go away. <\/p>\n<p>Why depression and anxiety are linked<br \/>\nDepression and anxiety comorbidity<br \/>\nStuff you do that makes depression worse<\/p>\n<p>Looking for affordable online therapy? My sponsor, BetterHelp, connects you to a licensed professional from the comfort of your own home. Try it now for 10% off: https:\/\/betterhelp.com\/therapyinanutshell<\/p>\n<p>Learn more in one of my in-depth mental health courses: https:\/\/courses.therapyinanutshell.com\/?utm_campaign=02062020&amp;utm_medium=Description&amp;utm_source=YouTube<br \/>\nSupport my mission on Patreon: https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/therapyinanutshell<br \/>\nSign up for my newsletter: https:\/\/courses.therapyinanutshell.com\/free-resources<br \/>\nCheck out my favorite self-help books: https:\/\/kit.co\/TherapyinaNutshell\/best-self-help-books<br \/>\nCheck out my podcast, Therapy in a Nutshell: https:\/\/tinpodcast.podbean.com\/<\/p>\n<p>Therapy in a Nutshell, LLC, and the information provided by Emma McAdam are solely intended for informational and entertainment purposes and are not a substitute for advice, diagnosis, or treatment regarding medical or mental health conditions. Although Emma McAdam is a licensed marriage and family therapist, the views expressed on this site or any related content should not be taken for medical or psychiatric advice. Always consult your physician before making any decisions related to your physical or mental health.<\/p>\n<p>About Me:<br \/>\nI\u2019m Emma McAdam. I\u2019m a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and I have worked in various settings of change and growth since 2004. My experience includes juvenile corrections, adventure therapy programs, wilderness therapy programs, an eating disorder treatment center, a residential treatment center, and I currently work in an outpatient therapy clinic.  <\/p>\n<p>In therapy I use a combination of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Systems Theory, positive psychology, and a bio-psycho-social approach to treating mental illness and other challenges we all face in life. The ideas from my videos are frequently adapted from multiple sources. Many of them come from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, especially the work of Steven Hayes, Jason Luoma, and Russ Harris. The sections on stress and the mind-body connection derive from the work of Stephen Porges (the Polyvagal theory), Peter Levine (Somatic Experiencing) Francine Shapiro (EMDR), and Bessel Van Der Kolk. I also rely heavily on the work of the Arbinger institute for my overall understanding of our ability to choose our life&#8217;s direction.<br \/>\nAnd deeper than all of that, the Gospel of Jesus Christ orients my personal worldview and sense of security, peace, hope, and love https:\/\/www.churchofjesuschrist.org\/comeuntochrist\/believe<\/p>\n<p>If you are in crisis, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at https:\/\/suicidepreventionlifeline.org\/ or 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or your local emergency services.<br \/>\nCopyright Therapy in a Nutshell, LLC<br \/>\n&#8212;-<br \/>\nMusic licensed from www.Bensound.com or Artlist.io<br \/>\nImages from Freepik.com (premium license), Pixabay, or Wikimedia commons<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Discover how avoidance links anxiety and depression, and learn to embrace painful emotions through willingness with therapist Emma McAdam&#8217;s guidance. 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