Tuesday 28 May 2013

The Link Between Depression and Anxiety

Sometimes people feel depressed, but not anxious. Others feel anxious, but not necessarily depressed. 

Although there are factors that are similar between depression and anxiety, these disorders are not the same.

These two mental disorders are frequently experienced simultaneously. Research shows that about 85% of people who are clinically depressed were found to have anxiety disorders as well. 

In addition to that, 35% also show signs of having panic disorder. Just like alcohol and drugs, depression and anxiety are a deadly combination when taken together. 


Being both anxious and depressed is a tremendous challenge.  We can be anxious about the tiniest thing and dwell on the negative consequences of our actions, which eventually will make us feel depressed. 

Feeling depressed is not only a horrible state to be in, it becomes hurtful to others and our loved ones get affected the most. 

Depression Disorder

When a person is depressed, their energy levels are low.  Sometimes, the essential things in life such as daily tasks or personal relationships get too overwhelming. 

Depression generates emotions such as hopelessness, despair and anger. Because of this, people who experience this mental disorder should carefully be looked after. 

These people tend to have somber thoughts most of the time and may possibly wander to suicidal or murderous ideas – thus requiring immediate psychological and emotional treatment from certified specialists.

Anxiety Disorder

When a person is anxious, they have intense feelings of uneasiness.  There exists an anxious response to various situations in life.

Some indications of anxiety disorder may come in physical form such as faster pulse rate and tension within the muscles. It may also be behavioral or psychological, such as:

  • difficulty in sleeping; 
  • impatience;
  • jumpiness; 
  • excessive worrying;
  • oversensitivity to sounds; 
  • being obsessive compulsive; 
  • having uneasy thoughts;
  • excessive concern; 
  • and avoidance of people.

What is the Relationship Between Depression and Anxiety?

Various symptoms of both depression and anxiety disorders are often the same. This means that those experiencing a certain symptom of one of these disorders are highly probable to be diagnosed of both. 

If a person seems to be feeling anxious, at some point, he tends to feel depressed as well. This works the other way around too. Moreover, desperate individuals experience sad moods and a decrease in their ability to derive pleasure from life and tend to be irritable. 

Depression can lead to too much worrying.  Uneasiness and restlessness may be caused by our body reacting to stressful events. Despondent people may feel hopeless and may create a melancholic atmosphere.

If you feel tense or uneasy most of your waking hours or sometimes you feel discouraged or unhappy, it is important to talk to a doctor.  Treatment at the onset of downheartedness and nervousness is very important in regaining a healthy life.

Sources:

Photo credits:

“Depression USA” by MuxanOpena/Flickr

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