Panic = Depression?

When I had my first (well, my first in a few years) therapy session yesterday the therapist told me that when I have my appointment with the psychiatrist that I will most likely be prescribed a combo of an antidepressant and something in the benzo category (ex: xanax, valium).

When I was younger I was diagnosed with General Anxiety and Social Anxiety. I am now diagnosed with Severe Panic Disorder, Agoraphobia, and Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder. I have never been diagnosed with depression nor do I feel as though I fit into the "depressed" category. Of course having a panic disorder brings me down and frustrates me but I still generally like myself. When I'm not in a state of panic I am pretty content with life. I've never had any thoughts of suicide or self harm. I wouldn't say that I'm happy go lucky running around singing songs and painting rainbows but I'm never really sad.

I've tried a few different antidepressants before when I was a teenager and saw very little results.

So I guess what I'm wondering is whether or not doctors usually prescribe antidepressants for patients with panic disorders because depression usually goes hand in hand so they just "assume" that the person is depressed OR do certain antidepressants actually help with a panic disorder?

Hi,

This is Kitt and the cat lady is right on.  The new SSRIs and the SSNIs have an anxiety compound bulit into the medication so it is not for depression but for anxiety they Rx the AD's.

However from what I have read anxiety and depression often go hand in hand. I have both.

So glad to have you with us and I hope your holiday is a blessed one.

Kitt