Depression And Anxiety – Treating Both In An Effective Way

December 27th, 2008 Posted in Anxiety and Depression

Millions of Americans every year suffer from depression. Millions more suffer from some form of anxiety disorder. Studies have shown that the two disorders coexist more often than not. Between 60 and 70% of all people who suffer from clinical depression also suffer from anxiety. About half of all people diagnosed with anxiety disorders also suffer from depression. Depression and anxiety overlap so much that increasingly, clinical psychologists and researchers see anxiety and depression as facets of the same illness.

Most people have feelings of sadness at some point in their lives. The loss of a job, death of a loved one, or other disappointments, causes many of the symptoms of depression. Similarly, most people experience anxiety at some point in their lives when confronted with stressful situations. These feelings are normal, up to a point. When feelings of overwhelming sadness or hopelessness, accompanied by fatigue, and changes of appetite and sleep patterns persist for more than a few weeks, the person may be diagnosed with clinical depression. When feelings of anxiety are out of proportion to the stresses being experienced, or a person has panic attacks several times over a period of weeks, they may be suffering from an anxiety disorder. Anxiety and depression are so often intertwined that one must be treated before the other can be dealt with. Going to this website Social Anxiety will clarify for you further.

Just as there is a lot of overlap between depression and anxiety, there is also a lot of overlap in treatment for the two disorders. Anxiety disorders are often treated with antidepressant medications. Some forms of psychotherapy, especially cognitive and behavioral therapy, have been very successful in treating both anxiety and depression. At times, it may be necessary to treat the depression first. In one form of therapy, called exposure therapy, the patient is exposed to gradually increasing stress factors to help them learn to cope with anxiety. Depression can drain a person of energy and leave them unable to cooperate, so sometimes it must be dealt with first for the anxiety therapy to be effective.

At times, a patient must be treated for depression before therapy for anxiety will be effective. Other times, the reverse is true. Anxiety disorders usually first appear during childhood and adolescence. Onset of depression usually happens when the patient is in their mid-twenties. Treating the person for anxiety can prevent them from developing depression later on. Depression and anxiety often occur together, and must be treated together.

Millions of individuals have to address anxiety and depression each day of their lives. They are locked in a vicious circle of requiring assistance but not knowing how to get it. If you are enduring  these circumstances it can make each present moment seem like forever. It alters the way you are and what you wish to be. However do not loose hope. There is a prosperous future ahead for you if you spend the time to know your condition and ailment. It might look inconceivable occasionally but you can get through this. Click here to get the help you need : Anxiety Disorder  and General Anxiety Disorder