Havingdepressionandanxietyat the same time is somewhat common.
Research shows that 60% of people with anxiety will also have symptoms of depression.
The rate is the same for those who have depression with symptoms of anxiety.
MementoJpeg / Getty Images
Anxiety and depression are two distinct conditions that can occur at the same time.
This can make symptoms more complex.
However, the same treatments can address both problems.
They can often improve withpsychotherapy(talk therapy), drugs, or both.
This article describes the link between anxiety and depression.
It also explains their symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment when they occur at the same time.
MementoJpeg / Getty Images
Anxiety and Depression: An Indirect or Direct Link?
The relationship between anxiety and depression is complex.
The reason they are often linked is well understood, though several potential factors exist.
Many of the same factors that predispose you to anxiety also make you vulnerable to depression.
They are also associated with several shared nongenetic risk factors such as early trauma and current stress.
Your symptoms may meet the criteria of both disorders.
Being depressed can often make you feel worried or anxious.
Similarly, having an anxiety attack can make you feel hopeless with depression.
However, both disorders can cause symptoms that can interfere with daily life and interpersonal relationships.
Anxiety differs from normal worrying because it involves excessive fear that can be debilitating.
If you or they are in immediate danger, dial911.
When anxiety and depression occur together, symptoms tend to be more intense and persistent because they work together.
This can make your condition harder to diagnose and more complex to treat.
Diagnosing symptoms of a mental health disorder requires a comprehensive evaluation by a mental health provider.
This can help ensure you get an accurate diagnosis and treatment.
It affects your digestive health as well as your overall health.
Research indicates that there is evidence of a link between gut microbes and depression.
It is attributed to the gut and brain connection, called the gut-brain axis.
Evidence shows that inflammation triggered by gut microbes can influence mood in depression.
Therapies typically include antidepressant drugsand/or a form of psychotherapy.
Self-care can help you maintain your progress.
Depending on your symptoms, you may be advised to start your treatment with either one of these therapies.
Self-Care
Self-care includes behaviors that support your physical and mental well-being.
It involves actions that can help manage symptoms of anxiety and/or depression and complement therapy and/or medications.
Your results and the time it takes to achieve them depend on your symptoms and your unique situation.
These are the chemical messengers in your brain that affect mood regulation.
The jot down of medication you receive depends on your symptoms and other factors regarding your overall condition.
They work by increasing serotonin levels.
SSRIs include:
Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs): SNRIs increase levels of serotonin and norepinephrine.
These drugs are also acceptable first-line treatments for comorbid anxiety and depression.
SNRIs include:
Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs): TCAs boost levels of serotonin and norepinephrine.
TCAs include:
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs): MAOIs were the first class of antidepressants.
Research indicates that the situation is not uncommon.
Between 29% and 46% of people with depression show partial or no response to treatments.
Anxiety and depression are two of the most commonly diagnosed mental health problems.
While they are two distinct conditions, they often occur at the same time.
When these disorders occur together, treatments are more complex.
Symptoms can overlap and often worsen when more than one mental health problem exists.
National Association on Mental Illness (NAMI).The comorbidity of anxiety and depression.
Hartgrove Behavioral Health System.The relationship between anxiety and depression.
Kalin NH.The critical relationship between anxiety and depression.AJP.
Mental Health Foundation.Generalized anxiety disorder.
American Psychiatric Association.What is depression?
Pennisi E.Gut microbe linked to depression in large health study.Science.
Published online February 4, 2022. doi:10.1126/science.ada0998
Harvard Health Publishing.
Harvard Medical School.Medication or therapy for depression?
National Institute of Mental Health.Caring for your mental health.
David D, Cristea I, Hofmann SG.Why cognitive behavioral therapy is the current gold standard of psychotherapy.Front Psychiatry.
2015;92(9):807-812.
PMID: 26554473.
International Society of Interpersonal Psychotherapy.Overview of IPT.
Behavioral Tech Institute.What is DBT?
2017;14(3):546-553. doi:10.1007/s13311-017-0521-3
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH).Antidepressant medications.
2015;5(4):366. doi:10.5498/wjp.v5.i4.366
UpToDate.Patient education: medicines for depression (the basics).
Columbia University Department of Psychiatry.Finding solutions when depression resists treatment.
UC San Diego Health.Transcranial magnetic stimulation.
American Psychiatric Association.What is electroconvulsive therapy?
Nebraska Medicine.What is esketamine, and is it effective in treating depression?
Yale Medicine.How ketamine drug helps with depression.
