--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: With anxiety and depression, what's been…" description: "\"With anxiety and depression, what's been most helpful to me has been learning a toolbox - a set of skills I can use when I'm in periods of low mood or ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/caa/olly-alexander-5923_anxiety_with-anxiety-and-depression-what-s-been_463685.jpg" --- # With anxiety and depression, what's been most helpful to… ![“With anxiety and depression, what's been most helpful to me has been learning a toolbox - a set of skills I can use when I'm in periods of low mood or feel an anxiety attack coming on. When Years & Years took off it felt like I needed that toolbox really quickly.” quote by Olly Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/caa/olly-alexander-5923_anxiety_with-anxiety-and-depression-what-s-been_463685.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/caa/olly-alexander-5923_anxiety_with-anxiety-and-depression-what-s-been_463685.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/caa/olly-alexander-5923_anxiety_with-anxiety-and-depression-what-s-been_463685.jpg) > “With anxiety and depression, what's been most helpful to me has been learning a toolbox - a set of skills I can use when I'm in periods of low mood or feel an anxiety attack coming on. When Years & Years took off it felt like I needed that toolbox really quickly.” [Olly Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olly-alexander/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A personal toolbox of coping skills helps manage anxiety and depression during low moods or attacks. **In simple terms:** Skills act as a mental first‑aid kit. Key Takeaway Build and use a mental health toolbox. Themes mental health self‑care anxiety depression coping strategies Mood supportive practical Type self‑help motivational When to use this quote - daily stress - panic attacks - low mood periods Key Concepts psychology behavioral therapy mindfulness Questions to Reflect On - Which coping skill works best for you? - How can you expand your mental health toolbox? A Different Perspective Tools may not replace professional help when crises arise. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Anxiety](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anxiety/) [Anxiety And Depression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anxiety-and-depression/) [Anxiety Attack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anxiety-attack/) [Anxiety depression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anxiety-depression/) [Depression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/depression/) [Learning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learning/) [Mood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mood/) ## Related quotes > [“If you feel anxiety or depression, you are not in the present. You are either anxiously projecting the future or depressed and stuck in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tobe-hanson/if-you-feel-anxiety-or-depression-you-are-not-in-the-present-you-are/) [Tobe Hanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tobe-hanson/) > [Most people live somewhere on the spectrum of anxiety and depression.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-ramis/most-people-live-somewhere-on-the-spectrum-of-anxiety-and-depression/) [Harold Ramis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-ramis/) > [I've certainly gone through my fair share of anxiety and depression.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-sullivan/i-ve-certainly-gone-through-my-fair-share-of-anxiety-and-depression/) [Chris Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-sullivan/) > [“However, I should also point out, that for mild to moderate cases of depression, drugs don’t perform any better than placebo.  Interestingly, the most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-lee/however-i-should-also-point-out-that-for-mild-to-moderate-cases-of/) [James Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-lee/) > [When I get anxiety and depression and things like that, I take to eating.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorge-masvidal/when-i-get-anxiety-and-depression-and-things-like-that-i-take-to/) [Jorge Masvidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorge-masvidal/) > [I spoke up about my difficulties with anxiety and depression to try to help change people's view of those problems and improve understanding. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frankie-bridge/i-spoke-up-about-my-difficulties-with-anxiety-and-depression-to-try/) [Frankie Bridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frankie-bridge/) > [Like many artists, I have issues with anxiety and depression, so I try to live in a way that supports my mental health.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-van-den-berg/like-many-artists-i-have-issues-with-anxiety-and-depression-so-i-try/) [Laura van den Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-van-den-berg/) > [I have struggled with anxiety and depression since I was a teenager.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juliana-harkavy/i-have-struggled-with-anxiety-and-depression-since-i-was-a-teenager/) [Juliana Harkavy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juliana-harkavy/) > [With social media, so many people have anxiety and depression because of it. Of course technology is somewhat good, but it can present so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-phelps/with-social-media-so-many-people-have-anxiety-and-depression-because/) [Michael Phelps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-phelps/) > [“exercise is as effective as certain medications for treating anxiety and depression.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-j-ratey/exercise-is-as-effective-as-certain-medications-for-treating-anxiety/) [John J. Ratey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-j-ratey/) > [I struggled tremendously with anxiety and depression related in part to my sexuality and growing up in a time when to be gay felt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-hayes/i-struggled-tremendously-with-anxiety-and-depression-related-in-part/) [Darren Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-hayes/) > [ The thing about those conditions \[anxiety and depression\] that sucks the worst is that you don't address the root cause, so you never see… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matty-mullins/the-thing-about-those-conditions-anxiety-and-depression-that-sucks/) [Matty Mullins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matty-mullins/) > [Anxiety and depression are the price you pay for a well-lived life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-vaillant/anxiety-and-depression-are-the-price-you-pay-for-a-well-lived-life/) [George Vaillant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-vaillant/) > [“Anxiety and depression, and the physical symptoms they cause, are merely distractions and smokescreens to “protect” you from dangers, which are usually, imaginary.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-f-glassman/anxiety-and-depression-and-the-physical-symptoms-they-cause-are/) [Charles F. Glassman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-f-glassman/) > [For me, a big part of anxiety and depression was not knowing how to say 'no' and wanting to please too many people... part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-leong/for-me-a-big-part-of-anxiety-and-depression-was-not-knowing-how-to/) [Melissa Leong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-leong/) ## More by Olly Alexander > [I've always loved sci-fi and fantasy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olly-alexander/i-ve-always-loved-sci-fi-and-fantasy/) [Olly Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olly-alexander/) > [I used to travel a lot as a kid and when I first moved to England I felt lonely and my parents were splitting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olly-alexander/i-used-to-travel-a-lot-as-a-kid-and-when-i-first-moved-to-england-i/) [Olly Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olly-alexander/) > [I can't play guitar well at all, so I had to learn that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olly-alexander/i-can-t-play-guitar-well-at-all-so-i-had-to-learn-that/) [Olly Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olly-alexander/) > [I think everyone knows what it is like being in love. It's never a smooth thing. Whether you are happily together or not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olly-alexander/i-think-everyone-knows-what-it-is-like-being-in-love-it-s-never-a/) [Olly Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olly-alexander/) > [I'm fascinated by technology and how it is changing the way we live and view our humanity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olly-alexander/i-m-fascinated-by-technology-and-how-it-is-changing-the-way-we-live/) [Olly Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olly-alexander/) > [I'd love to work with SBTRKT if he'd have me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olly-alexander/i-d-love-to-work-with-sbtrkt-if-he-d-have-me/) [Olly Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olly-alexander/) > [The likelihood is that you or someone you know closely will suffer from a mental health condition in your lifetime.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olly-alexander/the-likelihood-is-that-you-or-someone-you-know-closely-will-suffer/) [Olly Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olly-alexander/) > [I identify as a gay man all the time, but I also like to identify as queer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olly-alexander/i-identify-as-a-gay-man-all-the-time-but-i-also-like-to-identify-as/) [Olly Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olly-alexander/) > [There's entrenched homophobia behind the scenes at all levels of the music industry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olly-alexander/there-s-entrenched-homophobia-behind-the-scenes-at-all-levels-of-the/) [Olly Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olly-alexander/) > [I want to do a song with Rihanna - we need to make that work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olly-alexander/i-want-to-do-a-song-with-rihanna-we-need-to-make-that-work/) [Olly Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olly-alexander/) > [I don't know if there's ever a point where you go, 'Oh, I'm successful now. Look at all this great stuff I've done,' because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olly-alexander/i-don-t-know-if-there-s-ever-a-point-where-you-go-oh-i-m-successful/) [Olly Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olly-alexander/) > [Everyone has a different definition of what they find sexy, so why do we so often get given one version of what sexy is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olly-alexander/everyone-has-a-different-definition-of-what-they-find-sexy-so-why-do/) [Olly Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olly-alexander/) > [I think all of the best songs are about heartbreak and love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olly-alexander/i-think-all-of-the-best-songs-are-about-heartbreak-and-love/) [Olly Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olly-alexander/) > [We could perform in space or be the first band to play moon, but we want to be the first 'Star Wars' band.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olly-alexander/we-could-perform-in-space-or-be-the-first-band-to-play-moon-but-we/) [Olly Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olly-alexander/) > [I don't want to be normal, I don't want to grow up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olly-alexander/i-don-t-want-to-be-normal-i-don-t-want-to-grow-up/) [Olly Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olly-alexander/) [Explore all 100 Olly Alexander quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olly-alexander/) ## More Anxiety quotes > [“Anything that you find yourself worrying about regularly may find you suddenly wanting unrealistic changes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nagisa-tatsumi/anything-that-you-find-yourself-worrying-about-regularly-may-find-you/) Nagisa Tatsumi > [Bein Crazy is the least of my worries.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kerouac/bein-crazy-is-the-least-of-my-worries/) [Jack Kerouac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kerouac/) > [The answer to deep anxiety is the deep adoration of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/the-answer-to-deep-anxiety-is-the-deep-adoration-of-god/) [Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/) > [“Fear of seeing a police car pull into the drive. Fear of falling asleep at night. Fear of not falling asleep. Fear of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-carver/fear-of-seeing-a-police-car-pull-into-the-drive-fear-of-falling/) [Raymond Carver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-carver/) > [I get nervous when I don't get nervous. If I'm nervous I know I'm going to have a good show.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beyonce-knowles/i-get-nervous-when-i-don-t-get-nervous-if-i-m-nervous-i-know-i-m/) [Beyonce Knowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beyonce-knowles/) > [“Every invention comes through anxiousness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rakesh-wadhwani/every-invention-comes-through-anxiousness/) [Rakesh Wadhwani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rakesh-wadhwani/) > [“Do Not Be Anxious 25 e “Therefore I tell you,  f do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/do-not-be-anxious-25-e-therefore-i-tell-you-f-do-not-be-anxious-about/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Nothing happens on its own, you have to make things happen. If you really want to come out of your stressful situation than you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/subodh-gupta/nothing-happens-on-its-own-you-have-to-make-things-happen-if-you/) [Subodh Gupta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/subodh-gupta/) > [“I guess if we're talking about my anxiety, the even truthier truth is it started way before that.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerry-winfrey/i-guess-if-we-re-talking-about-my-anxiety-the-even-truthier-truth-is/) [Kerry Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerry-winfrey/) > [I was a very good student. Procrastinating gives me anxiety, and getting a B really ticked me off. Sure, I didn't always want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josie-loren/i-was-a-very-good-student-procrastinating-gives-me-anxiety-and/) [Josie Loren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josie-loren/) > [“The suspense: the fearful, acute suspense: of standing idly by while the life of one we dearly love, is trembling in the balance; the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/the-suspense-the-fearful-acute-suspense-of-standing-idly-by-while-the/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [The party in Alobar’s head, which agitation and anxiety were throwing, now was crashed by a notion: existence can be rearranged.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/the-party-in-alobar-s-head-which-agitation-and-anxiety-were-throwing/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [As you know, I have been very open about my struggle with social anxiety.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/summer-walker/as-you-know-i-have-been-very-open-about-my-struggle-with-social/) [Summer Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/summer-walker/) > [Anxiety is not to be managed it is a sin that needs to be repented of](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-driscoll/anxiety-is-not-to-be-managed-it-is-a-sin-that-needs-to-be-repented-of/) [Mark Driscoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-driscoll/) > [“I’ve always seen this in you, ever since you were a little girl — this hunger to love other people into their highest selves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-elisabeth/i-ve-always-seen-this-in-you-ever-since-you-were-a-little-girl-this/) [Jennifer Elisabeth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-elisabeth/) [Browse all 4,944 Anxiety quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anxiety/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "With anxiety and depression, what's been most helpful to me has been learning a toolbox - a set of skills I can use when I'm in periods of low mood or feel an anxiety attack coming on. 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