Depression Learning

Anxiety and Depression

Although it is true that anxiety disorder and depression disorders share similar signs and symptoms they are not the same. Both disorders may affect people with the same symptoms such as irritability, nervousness, eating and sleeping disorders and loss of concentration and of course depressed moods.

Each of these two disorders however has their own unique causes and different behavioral and emotional symptoms. Studies have also shown that it is common for people who do develop depression disorders to also have a past history of anxiety disorders. Even though there is no definitive evidence that proves anxiety can cause depression or depression can cause anxiety there is a wealth of evidence showing that people can have both diseases at the same time.

Diagnosis and Early Treatment of Anxiety

If a diagnosis confirms the presence of both anxiety and a depressive disorder than a specific treatment plan must be instigated to treat both disorders. It should be organized in such a way as to treat and eliminate the symptoms of both disorders but if one disorder seems to be causing more distress than the other than that should be given treatment priority.

Example A: A patient with social anxiety disorder has developed depression over his inability to socialize with family and friends. If the social anxiety disorder is treated successfully then there may not be any need to treat the depressive disorder.

Example B: A person who has severe depression who also suffers anxiety may not have the energy or motivation to attempt the treatments prescribed for the anxiety disorder so that must be addressed first.

It may be sometimes difficult or even impossible to determine which disorder, anxiety or depression is more severe or has the more severe symptoms and in that case treatment for both may have to be run simultaneously.

Possible Treatments for Anxiety and Depressive Disorders

Several treatments are helpful including some that can be used to treat both anxiety and depressive disorders and include psychotherapy, cognitive, interpersonal, and behavioral and problem solving therapy. Medications may also be used either alone of in combination with the therapy.

Cognitive-behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the more successful therapies used in treating anxiety. It works on the principle of replacing negative or unproductive attitudes and thoughts and replacing them with more positive, realistic and doable ones. CBT also tries to get the patient to take specific steps in the treatment to face up to his fears in order to conquer them.

Prescribed Medications for Anxiety

It has been found that when both anxiety and depression occur together a medications known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) or serotonin norepinephrimere uptake inhibitor (SNRI). If these two drugs are not effective there are other medications and different combinations of medications and therapies are often tailored to the disorders the person has. There are also some supplemental things that may also help in reducing anxiety disorder which include: Support groups, Relaxation, meditation, and deep breathing exercisesSelf help books as recommended by their therapists, and Exercise and improved diet

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