Depression and Anxiety Disorder -
Double Trouble
People who suffer from the combination of
depression and anxiety disorder face significant challenges.
The coexistence of depression and anxiety disorder can have serious repercussions. About half of people with chronic anxiety also have clinically significant symptoms of depression.
According to a recent issue of Psychology Today, clinicians and researchers are currently moving toward the conclusion that depression and anxiety disorder may not be two disorders that coexist, but two faces of one disorder.
Depression and anxiety disorder may be two sides of the same coin according David Barlow, Ph.D, director of the Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders at Boston University.
"The genetics seem to be the same. The psychological and biological natures of the vulnerability seem to be the same. It's just that some people with the vulnerability react with anxiety to life stressors. Some people, in addition, go beyond that to become depressed."
It makes sense that severe anxiety can lead to depression. After all if your mind is crippled by fear you are not likely to be happy or think positive thoughts.
Unfortunately, the treatment of depression and anxiety disorder is particularly challenging. The symptoms of both depression and anxiety disorder are more severe when combined compared to when the disorders occur independently.
Who is at risk for combined depression and anxiety disorder? Family history definitely plays a part.
Age also plays a role in depression and anxiety disorder. A person who develops an anxiety disorder for the first time after age 40 is likely to have depression. Someone who develops panic attacks for the first time at age 50 often has a history of depression or is experiencing depression at the same time.
Depression is one of the most common secondary conditions associated with untreated or ineffectively treated anxiety disorder. Sometimes the resulting depression becomes the primary diagnosis, so that the underlying anxiety disorder goes either untreated or unrecognized.
Through an inability to control panic attacks and/or anxiety, a person can experience an overwhelming sense of helplessness and despair, feeling guilty or ashamed about the effect their anxiety is having on their family. Things they were once able to do without a second thought become a focus of fear and dread. A dependence on partners to take more of the burden in taking care of the family and daily tasks causes a sense of worthlessness.
In Chris Green's informative and insightful booked titled "Conquering Stress," he writes about his personal experiences with depression and anxiety disorder.
"What's helped me beat stress and overcome my anxiety can help you overcome yours, be it anxiety or worry, panic attacks, depression or just a feeling of sadness that won't go away."
Depression and anxiety disorder can become very disabling. The sufferer often lacks motivation and energy, loses interest in everyday activities and often has sleep problems.
In extreme cases a person with depression and anxiety disorder is unable to care appropriately for themselves or their family. Depression also means that the sufferer is much less likely to manage their anxiety disorder.
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