What You Need to Know About Depression and Anxiety
Even though depression and anxiety are two different conditions, a close link exists between them.
Some studies suggest that as many as 85% of those with major depressive disorder also have symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder.
Though researchers are not sure why the two conditions seem to manifest together so often, they have also concluded that they can be treated in similar ways, both with regard to the medications used, and also to the forms of therapy that have demonstrated effectiveness.
Depression A person with depression usually experiences low levels of energy, finds little or no pleasure in activities formerly enjoyed, including sex, and often has overwhelming feelings of hopelessness, fear, sadness, guilt, or anger.
Anxiety is more acute, causing feelings of imminent danger, a need to retreat, run away, or hide, and physical symptoms that can mimic heart attack or other physical ailments.
One reason for the close correlation between depression and anxiety may be involved in the loss of control a person experiences with both conditions.
Any loss of control of one's life or circumstances can bring about feelings of both depression and anxiety.
Anxiety A sense of danger or deep fear, often with no apparent cause, is the hallmark of anxiety.
This feeling causes the body's "fight or flight" response to ignite, elevating heart rate, constricting blood vessels, and injecting adrenaline into the bloodstream, to prepare the body for dealing with the "threat.
" Since a person experiencing these feelings often feels completely out of control, one long-term result of repeated anxiety attacks can be depression and its related conditions.
Some studies suggest that as many as 85% of those with major depressive disorder also have symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder.
Though researchers are not sure why the two conditions seem to manifest together so often, they have also concluded that they can be treated in similar ways, both with regard to the medications used, and also to the forms of therapy that have demonstrated effectiveness.
Depression A person with depression usually experiences low levels of energy, finds little or no pleasure in activities formerly enjoyed, including sex, and often has overwhelming feelings of hopelessness, fear, sadness, guilt, or anger.
Anxiety is more acute, causing feelings of imminent danger, a need to retreat, run away, or hide, and physical symptoms that can mimic heart attack or other physical ailments.
One reason for the close correlation between depression and anxiety may be involved in the loss of control a person experiences with both conditions.
Any loss of control of one's life or circumstances can bring about feelings of both depression and anxiety.
Anxiety A sense of danger or deep fear, often with no apparent cause, is the hallmark of anxiety.
This feeling causes the body's "fight or flight" response to ignite, elevating heart rate, constricting blood vessels, and injecting adrenaline into the bloodstream, to prepare the body for dealing with the "threat.
" Since a person experiencing these feelings often feels completely out of control, one long-term result of repeated anxiety attacks can be depression and its related conditions.
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