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Does depression go hand in hand with anxiety?

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Posted 10/25/2006 5:51 AM (GMT 0)
Do people who suffer with depression often have anxiety too?  I know someone who suffers from anxiety only -- she does not get depressed.  I've been posting on the anxiety and depression boards but am wondering if these really are two separate illnesses.  I have both. How bout the rest of you?

Thank you.

Posted 10/25/2006 8:47 AM (GMT 0)
I was diagnosed with both.  I feel my depression is under control, however, my anxiety is not, during the last three months....I had two ER visits +ambulance.  It is soo hard without medical coverage. 
Posted 10/25/2006 12:45 PM (GMT 0)
I have both, I think the depression is more under control than what my anxiety is. Yesterday was and anxiety day, but felt some of the depression last night.
Posted 10/25/2006 3:01 PM (GMT 0)

Hi hopeful,  Everyone is differant...I have had depression with PTSD for many years, I would say since I was a teenager at least.  It wasnt until about 3 years ago that I had my first panic attack, it was after I was given a Sol-Medrol infusion for my MS.  It was the worst thing I have ever felt.  My doctor gave me a script for Xanax and said he thought it was med induced and it would go away.  Well it never did...I continued to have panic attacks and almost constant anxiety. 

There are quite a few people who have depression that also have anxiety.  It pretty much goes hand in hand.  As does Panic/Anxiety, how could it not cause depression?  But they are two differant illnesses, diagnoses that are treated differantly.  I hope this helps... :-)

Posted 10/25/2006 3:59 PM (GMT 0)

I think depression is a side effect, a result, of other unresolved negative emotions, and therefore goes hand-in-hand with most, if not all, of them.  Unabated anxiety, fear, anger, chronic physical illness or pain, trauma, obsessions, resentment, etc ... even unspecified or situational issues and concerns ... and Depression.

When we feel burdoned, unable to cope, unable to change or manipulate our environment/relationships/life situation; our chemistry changes.  It's not fight or flight anymore, it's sit and suffer.  No hope.  No light at the end of the tunnel.  Just stuck.

Therapy can help us get a handle on underlying causes and deal with them.  Medication can alter the chemistry so we can have the strength to make changes regarding bothersome issues.  In both cases, we can regain the confidence to meet what life has dealt us.  Depression then "lifts'" we have more positive days than negative, defeated days.

Short answer to short question...  Yes, they often go hand in hand.  :-)

Posted 10/25/2006 5:00 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone and thank you so much for taking the time to reply. I have never experienced a panic attack or a gloom and doom feeling suddenly in a grocery store like some A/P sufferers do. Before I became anxious I was deeply depressed but I was able to avoid and hide out for a while. Whenever a deadline looms and/or I have too many bad things to deal with at once, my anxiety goes through the roof. I do believe that depression and anxiety are chemical and I believe that our cognitive thoughts can alter our brain chemicals as well.
Posted 10/27/2006 12:23 PM (GMT 0)
both here too,and extreme panic attacks. I think it goes hand in hand with depression because your self worth is not there.
Posted 10/27/2006 3:48 PM (GMT 0)
For me they were very connected. Depression took hold of me after months and months of trying to fight off anxiety. When I got a hold on the depression issue I realized that the anxiety was really the root of my problem. Now I am dealing with the anxiety and am depression free.
Posted 10/27/2006 5:34 PM (GMT 0)
That makes sense. I don't know what comes first but I do know that I worry a lot and with the divorce and being off of work and depressed so much I have lost my self esteem.
Posted 10/28/2006 10:56 AM (GMT 0)
Hello, I just signed up right now...

I have anxiety and depression.  I've noticed that I have anxiety days or stretches of days, and depression days.  Sadly, I "prefer" the depression days, because for the past few years (ages 25-27) my anxiety has been horrible.  I always think I'm dying and can barely drive or leave the house.  I HATE my anxiety and how it makes me feel/act, so I'd rather be really down than anxious.  I just started taking Prozac today, and am really nervous about it.

Thanks for listening,

wazu

Posted 10/28/2006 1:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Wazu, I just wanted to pop in and welcome you to healing well, we are very happy to have you.  Anxiety is a terrible thing to live with especially when it starts to get so bad that it interfers with daily living skills as you described.  I truly hope that the Prozac helps for it.  This forum is a great resource for information and support so please do feel free to continue to post...we would love to hear more from you.  Take care
Posted 10/30/2006 7:51 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks els! Everyone here and on the anxiety forum is so helpful. Honestly, I get a lot of reassurance and comfort just checking this, its only my second time to the sight, but tonight I was excited to check and see what everyone wrote. It helps A LOT to read that others feel this same way. Thank you!!
Posted 10/30/2006 1:58 PM (GMT 0)
I am glad that your finding the forums helpful Wazu...I did also when I first joined.  I focused on the MS site as that was my main problem at the time then I migrated over here.  Everyone is so very nice and helpful.  I do hope you continue to post and check in it does really help to know that your not alone... :-)
Posted 10/31/2006 1:51 AM (GMT 0)
:-)  HI all, just want to pop in and say i just have the anxiety, for no reason what so ever.  actuallly, i was diagnosed with coronary artery disease and that kicked everything in, for over a year i was a wreck, now i am no longer afraid i am going to die tomorrow, but i am left with anxiety that builds usually through the day causing back pain that is horrible. i now take ativan and zoloft, but very very low amounts, it is almost like a security blanket.   Hi els, the heart board has really been slow, i miss everyone who use to visit, i think you are very special to hang in ther. have a great day!!!!!
Posted 11/1/2006 2:16 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Dreamy, It is nice to see you over on this side of the forums tongue .  My initial panic attack was started by a great dosage of IV steriods...but I truly believe that my anxiety there after is the result of my multiple health problems.  These have not ever gone away once they got started.  As I said before, I had had depression for many years prior to the panic and anxiety so it just didnt gel for me that they were connected or were a result of each other in my case.  That isnt saying that is isnt so for others. 
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