The Link between Depression and Anxiety

Welcome to our page about depression and anxiety. Depression and Anxiety are two separate disorders which frequently occur at the same time. In fact, there is evidence to suggest that 60 to 70 percent of those people with major depression also have an anxiety disorder. Half of those suffering from anxiety are also likely to exhibit symptoms of clinical depression. These mixed disorders are so common that there is a diagnostic category of "mixed anxiety-depressive disorder".

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Anxiety is a tense, worried feeling, while depression is a feeling of sadness and hopelessness. Both anxiety and depression are normal responses to situations that make a person feel threatened, uncomfortable or sad.  They usually only require treatment when they have lasted for a number of weeks or if the feelings that they incur are particularly strong.

Anxiety disorders can take many forms including panic attacks, phobias, generalized anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder.  The symptoms that define depression include insomnia, irritability, fatigue, pervasive sadness, apathy and occasionally suicidal thoughts.  Certain types of anxiety are particularly linked with depression.  These are: social phobia, panic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

The national institute of health has stated that at least 75 million Americans are likely to experience an anxiety or depressive illness throughout the course of their lives. Indeed, anxiety and depression are two of the most common mental problems for adolescents and children. If left untreated, some individuals that experience anxiety and depression in their teenage years will have ongoing difficulties in adulthood. Anxiety and depression have been associated with poor achievement at school, family problems, poor work performance, drug abuse and sometimes suicide.

The usual treatment for anxiety and depression are either medications such as xanax for anxiety or  prozac or lexapro for depression. Many people can be helped by these medications but for others they can make things worse. In these cases , there can be extreme problems such as hallucinations, violence, volatility, psychosis and suicidal thoughts or behavior. Whilst medications can sometimes help restore brain chemistry, they are not able to change life circumstances or the ways people deal with the problems of daily living.

If you feel anxious or depressed, admit it and get some help. Even if you have a supportive family and good friends you should still seek professional assistance.  There are several types of mental health professionals who can provide psychotherapy but any medications must be prescribed by a physician.

Whilst there may be a link between genetics and these disorders, anxiety and depression are not caused by genetics alone. Despite what some may say, they are not merely caused by imbalances in the brain's biochemistry. Neurochemistry interacts with life experiences in a circular relationship which can contribute to these disorders. Conversely, this interaction can also be used to improve health. You can learn new ways of behaving, thinking and interacting with the outside world which can help you better cope with life's challenges. 

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On a final note, anxiety and depression are complex emotional disorders, they do not mean you are going insane and they are among the most treatable health conditions that we suffer.