How to Cope with Depression and Anxiety at the Same Time?

Depression and clinical anxiety are two different conditions. However, people who experience one of these are likely to experience the other. It may be because anxiety triggers mood, and mood triggers anxiety.

It is not a surprise that there are many similarities between the treatments and symptoms for these two conditions. Both anxiety and depression:

• Can respond well to medications and therapy
• Have a similar treatment approach
• Are very common
• Have physical and mental symptoms

Can affect your normal activities in a significant way

While keeping this in mind, the blog will guide how depression and anxiety go together. So now let us discuss the ways, overlaps, and differences to manage them together.

Differences between Depression and Anxiety Symptoms

Depression and anxiety each can have distinct physical and psychological features. The top psychological symptom of anxiety is excessive worry. For example, it might include worrying about the future or getting hurt. People with anxiety also avoid situations that may provoke anxiety or prevent many ‘bad’ things from happening.

Anxiety may come with physical symptoms. For example, people with anxiety may sometimes suffer from anxiety and can sometimes have a fast heartbeat, feel dizzy, or have an upset stomach. They can also sometimes have trouble breathing.

Mental symptoms of depression are feelings of worthlessness, sadness, and hopelessness. Physical symptoms usually represent a shift in normal daily habits. For example, people with depression may also have sleep, energy, and appetite changes. They can also sometimes find it tough to concentrate on activities or work.

How is it for a person to suffer from both Anxiety and Depression?

Depression and anxiety are common conditions, both together and alone. In the US, 1 in every 3 adults should suffer from an anxiety disorder at some point. About 1 in 5 are likely to suffer from depression.

In a study of 70,000 people worldwide, about half of those who suffered from depression during their lifetime also had at least one anxiety disorder. People diagnosed with anxiety were also likely to get depression at some point.

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Does Anxiety Causes Depression?

Anxiety could put you at risk of depression, and it is not hard to see why. Anxiety may cause sleeplessness, irritability, isolation, and many other symptoms. In turn, it may lead to hopelessness, guilt, and sadness.

The reverse of this is true as well. For example, depression may make it tough to engage with others. It can also provoke anxiety when they are faced with social interactions.

Whether one causes the other or not, depression and anxiety are closely linked.

Researchers do not know the exact behind depression and anxiety. However, both conditions share many similarities in whom they effects and how they happen. These shared roots could explain why anxiety and depression often occur together:

Similar groups of people get anxiety and depression

You are most likely to get anxiety or depression if you have experienced trauma, or female anatomy, are between the ages ranging from 25 and 34 or live alone.

Anxiety and depression both run in families

You are more likely to get such mental health issues if you have a family member with either of these conditions.

Similar brain chemicals may play a great role in both depression and anxiety

Scientists think that both depression and anxiety have a relationship with neurotransmitters. It might include epinephrine, dopamine, serotonin, and more.

There are many unanswered questions. For example, it needs to be clarified about the role of neurotransmitters in these conditions or whether brain structure may change over time. There are also questions about if other body areas may influence thinking and mood.

Getting the correct diagnosis

Like other health conditions, a healthcare provider may help determine if you have anxiety or depression. If you have a specific symptom, they may diagnose you with major depressive disorder (MDD) or depression. If you have other symptoms, your providers may diagnose you with anxiety. It could be generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) or many other disorders.

Diagnosing MDD or an anxiety disorder depends on how many symptoms you have. It also depends on the symptoms you are suffering. Finally, it also depends on how long you have had the symptoms, the severity of the symptoms, and how they affect your daily life.

Sometimes a provider would require special questions that may help you understand the symptoms. For example, there is a standard questionnaire for anxiety and depression. Your provider may use these questions to check your progress or diagnosis during the treatment.

A provider may usually help you in figuring out which diagnosis is best. In a few cases, people can get a diagnosis of depression and anxiety. Whether it is a depression, anxiety disorder, or both, a correct diagnosis can help you, and your provider can decide on treatment.

When to go to the doctor?

People often have a low mood or brief anxiety periods. But talking to a provider is quite helpful when symptoms get in the way of daily life. They can make an appropriate diagnosis and discuss the treatment options.

If you need more clarification about the severity of symptoms, consider asking close family and friends. They can tell you if they have noticed any changes in behavior.

Few people also find it helpful to track the symptoms in writing for one to two weeks. The written record can then be shared with a provider. Talking or reading to other people with anxiety and depression can be helpful, too. Hearing about the experiences can help you understand whether to seek treatment.

Treating Depression and Anxiety together

If you have anxiety and depression, it is better to have an open relationship with your provider. Knowing if you have depression, anxiety, or both, can help you and your provider put a unique treatment plan together. It should target the symptoms that bother you the most.

Treatment options may include a type of therapy or medication. However, anxiety and depression may fuel each other, so it may take longer to treat the combined symptoms.

Medications

Few medications are better for anxiety, while few are better for depression. However, there are also a few kinds of medications that may help treat both.

First-choice medicines include antidepressants, SNRIs, and SSRIs. Many of these medicines are used for both different anxiety disorders and depression.

• Effexor XR (venlafaxine ER)
• Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
• Sertraline (Zoloft)
• Paroxetine (Paxil)
• Fluvoxamine (Luvox)
• Fluoxetine (Prozac)
• Escitalopram (Lexapro)
• Citalopram (Celexa)

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In a few cases, your provider may also recommend another class of antidepressant, like MAOI or tricyclic. They may also recommend other kinds of medications like benzodiazepines and antipsychotics. These can help you control specific symptoms or help other medications work better.

Discoveries like medicine and science will also lead to new treatment options. For example, the medication esketamine (Spravato) can be useful in treating depression symptoms. However, it has also shown promise in helping with anxiety. Since anxiety and depression share a biological cause, likely, a new treatment for one may also help with the other.

Therapy

Therapy is an essential treatment for both depression and anxiety. Many people start therapy and medicine simultaneously. But you can also do therapy on its own. Therapies that are helpful for both anxiety and depression include interpersonal therapy, psychodynamic psychotherapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy.

Lifestyle changes

Your provider may also talk to you about lifestyle changes, which can sometimes help with anxiety and depression. Examples include:

• Practicing mindfulness
• Meditating
• Exercising regularly
• Eating well
• Getting regular sleep

It is also essential to have strong support from family members and friends. Having a positive support network can be helpful for you in recovery. It makes it easier to follow up with the treatment. It can also help you feel less isolated and empowered.

Many people also find working with the peer support group online or in person quite helpful. In addition, there are many community resources since anxiety and depression are quite common.

Conclusion

Many people may recall a time when they felt depressed or anxious. These feelings often occur together and are a normal response to life’s many challenges. But sad feelings and anxious thoughts can become a daily experience. There’s a probability that it may disrupt normal activities. It can also pose a negative effect on well-being. For such reasons, researchers do not fully understand yet, anxiety and depression are linked quite closely.

It can be helpful to understand whether you have depression, anxiety, or both. Having the right diagnosis can help you, and your provider put together a treatment plan that is as unique as you are. After the diagnosis to describe your personal experience is empowering and helpful. It can help you connect with friends, family, and peer groups that can offer support. FREE Rx discount card can be helpful for you to get good discounts on medicines.