Anxiety and Depression: Which one do I have?

[Mischief]

David Carbonell, a psychologist who does a lot of work around anxiety has published a useful page on his website which helps one understand the difference between anxiety and depression. Take a read .... you may find it useful.

Anxiety and Depression: Telling Them Apart

 

[MissKitty]

Thanks for that. I could relate to the depression lifting when the anxiety is treated....I've always been puzzled as to why I get so much better with SSRIs and wonder if something like Diazepam would do the same job in a shorter term dose. It's the calming down that makes the difference with me and getting myself out of the mire of anxiety which feels so horribly overwhelming.
Useful article.
x

 

[BedHead]

ok, I read the article... it's very interesting. but I'm not sure if i got the point of it.
My psychiatrist always told me that depression and anxiety they usually happen together, one comes after the other. It seems that anxiety may come first and then depression as a consequence from the frustration, that happens when the anxiety disorder became something quite serious.

One thing I don't know if I agree or understood about that...
I get anxious not only because I'm uncertain of the future but mostly because I already know what will happen - I will fail (it says there this is what happens only with depression). This is the fear of failure, repetition, an eternal cycle. Anxiety disorders are mostly triggered by traumatic past experiencies it gets registered in our mind, whether we're fully aware or not.
And we repeat and reproduce them, being sure that is what will happen.

I still think that the line that divides depression and anxiety is a bit blurry. They are kind of...different things, but they act together.

Anyway, i'm not a doctor and probably I'm saying the most absurd thing around here. But this is the conclusion I take from what I experience by myself and other people I know with the same 2 issues.

 

[mental health girl]

Thanks for sharing the article, for me i got anxiety and i ended up falling in to depression because i didnt know what to do or how to get rid of it at the time

 

[mami5]

Hi I've just read the article and now I am more confused than before. I have been told by my OT that I suffer from anxiety but can sometimes dip into depression. After reading this I feel my symptoms are more depression than anxiety. But I do suffer from bad anxiety attacks as well.

 

[amathus]

Anxiety and Depression usually go hand in hand...

Royal College of Psychiatrists say:

'Depression is often accompanied by anxiety, and in these circumstances one of
three diagnoses can be made: (1) depression; (2) anxiety; or (3) mixed depression and
anxiety when both are below the threshold for either disorder, dependent upon which
constellation of symptoms dominates the clinical picture.'

 

[MissKitty]

Anxiety and Depression usually go hand in hand...

Royal College of Psychiatrists say:

'Depression is often accompanied by anxiety, and in these circumstances one of
three diagnoses can be made: (1) depression; (2) anxiety; or (3) mixed depression and
anxiety when both are below the threshold for either disorder, dependent upon which
constellation of symptoms dominates the clinical picture.'

I think this definition probably answers everyone's questions doesn't it?
You can be depressed with anxiety or anxious with depression. Alternatively you can
be diagnosed with just one of them.
At the end of the day, having the two together is pretty serious and scary and they make
each other worse.
x

 

[groovy72]

I would agree with that.On an occasion before when I had depression,it started off with anxiety and a panicky feeling and then lead to depression.

 

[Esquire]

As a young man I would say I had extreme anxiety (both bad and good) Wait...ah well. I still had a zest for what life was had in store for me. Boy was my head in the sand! As the years dragged on, the anxiety turned all bad and ugly to include depression. For the most part, now I would say I'm mostly depressed. Although I don't currently see a doctor or have updated records really.

 

[Very tired]

Very interesting thank you.

 

[madmark]

hi i suffered from depression for best part of 25 years before the anxiety started now 1 reflects on the other so double trouble and medication doesent work on me

 

[kurotoao]

I have been told I have depression (though I doubt it is), but not anxiety. I think I have some some of anxiety.

 

[madmark]

i been treated for depression off and on for over 25 years and i just cant take the depression meds they make me worse so i go on tablets for a few weeks feel realy ill and suicidle so come off them been a non stop roller coaster for near on 30 yrs ime going to the doctors monday and asking for a proper assessment fingers crossed i get one

 

[starfish]

mischief.I read the webpage and found that I could really relate to the anxiety part, that the way I hold back from doing just about anything and avoid moving forward is actually anxiety. This was a wow moment, I know I'm struggling with depression and OCD as well, but bringing in the anxiety as well may help me understand what I'm dealing with.I thought my medication had my anxiety under control, but clearly it does not.Joanna I think you may need to say a bit more so some one may help you.

 

[Marchhare]

I don't knowingly get anxious but my body does!! I would look forward to something but usually my stomach would erupt before hand. I had tests years ago and it was called "nervous tummy" and now I get treatment for depression/anxiety. I hate how I can't control these things
mh

 

[GoghTardis]

Anxiety and Depression: Telling Them Apart

I like that they include Bipolar here. I was misdiagnosed with just Anxiety and Depression for years before I was "just talking" to my Psychatrist about what turned out to be hypomania. I thought I was just being really productive despite racing thoughts etc. when I was not depressed.

 

[FixMe26]

I have both Anxiety & Depression along with Boderline Personality Disorder (according to my consultant - which I disagree).

 

[Naz1969]

Joanna,first thing towards getting better is to accept you have an Illness .there is no shame in having a mental illness,as long as I tried to hide it It got worse,once I started to accept and started to treat it as another illness,now after suffering with depression ,anxiety,PTSD and panini attack for the last 15 years,I started work 6 years ago,told my boss,my colleagues ,my friends ,literally everyone,now I feel much better as I am not scared to have a panic attack or feel down as everyone in my life know what is happening ,people who have diabetes or heart problems are not ashamed of it,so why should we be ashamed it is just another illness,see your gp urgently and get referred to therapy groups ,you will meet a lot of good people and will understand you are not alone.it will get better trust me ,asking for help is not a weakness but strenth,so take care and good luck.

 

[LaborIntensive]

Life gives you lemons you now have lemons

Life has not given me a great deal of hope for a bright future. I was diagnosed incorrectly but asked my doctor for Cymbalta (for prolonged join pains). It helps a bit with my depression which is what I must have. I am apathetic any longer to my life really. I care so much about others and see the "head in the sand" behavior of others that causes me even more to lose hope.

So no panic attacks but I also have no urge to get things done that need to get done. So, I am guessing that is just depression?

 

[LaborIntensive]

I don't knowingly get anxious but my body does!! I would look forward to something but usually my stomach would erupt before hand. I had tests years ago and it was called "nervous tummy" and now I get treatment for depression/anxiety. I hate how I can't control these things
mh

Do you have RLS as well? My leg bounces often but I like to think it is more like a dog wagging it's tail. I bounce my leg when I am happy or thinking about something. Others comment about it but to me it is normal as breathing.