Can You Have Depression and Anxiety At The Same Time?
Depression and anxiety are two of the most common mental health conditions worldwide. Both can be debilitating conditions that profoundly impact someone’s daily life. Unfortunately, that only worsens the longer either disorder is left untreated.
Talking about mental health is becoming less taboo to talk about throughout society. However, we still have a long way to go before the stigma is lifted. Understanding these conditions and how they can impact someone is essential. But can you have depression and anxiety at the same time?
The Connection Between Depression and Anxiety
About Depression
Depression is more than just feeling sad occasionally. Known as clinical depression or major depressive disorder, it impacts millions of people each year. For someone to be diagnosed with depression, the symptoms must be present for at least 2 weeks or more.
Unfortunately, depression is often a mental health condition that can last weeks, months, or years without treatment. When someone is experiencing depression, they will likely go through multiple symptoms. Not every person will deal with every symptom on this list.
Intense feelings of sadness
Feeling hopeless
Loss of interest in activities or hobbies
Sleeping difficulties(either too much or not enough)
Irritability
Low self-esteem
Feeling guilty
Negative thoughts
Thoughts of self-harm
About Anxiety
Generalized Anxiety Disorder(GAD) also impacts millions of people every year, and that number continues to rise. Everybody experiences feelings of anxiousness every once in a while. For someone with chronic anxiety, it is an ongoing feeling that never really goes away. In addition to being anxious, someone may also experience:
Panic attacks
Restlessness
Uncontrollable, negative thoughts
Intense fears or worries
Increased heart rate
Irritability
Fatigue
Insomnia
Can You Experience Anxiety and Depression At The Same Time?
Anxiety and depression are two completely separate conditions. While there may be some overlap between symptoms, someone can absolutely experience both at the same time. Worsening this is that feelings of anxiety or depression can worsen the other. It’s a vicious cycle.
You might have intrusive or negative thoughts regarding who you are when anxious. The lies that anxiety tells you inevitably increase the feelings of worthlessness you might have, leading to depression worsening.
When you are feeling depressed, you may have intense worries that end up triggering worse anxiety symptoms. Do you see what we mean by it being a vicious cycle?
Anxiety and depression seem polar opposites when you consider one a high-energy state of mind and the other a lower one. Unfortunately, you can be highly anxious in a low state of mind.
How To Cope With Anxiety And Depression
Having both anxiety and depression simultaneously can make you feel like you are leaving your mind. While they are challenging to cope with, you can manage both.
Exercising
Exercising is great for your physical and mental health. It releases feel-good endorphins such as serotonin into the body. These chemicals help promote feelings of happiness, calmness, and overall well-being. It is a great way to boost your mood when needed or distract your mind from worries.
Mindfulness Techniques
Mindfulness techniques can include deep breathing, meditation, or yoga to help with mental health. They help to teach you to be present in the moment, relax, and feel peaceful. Anxiety and depression can make you feel at war with yourself. Mindfulness techniques help you to find the beauty in yourself and the world.
Counseling
Thankfully, we live in a society that is beginning to see the importance of counseling. While it might initially feel uncomfortable, it is one of the most beneficial investments you can make in yourself.
If you want to learn more about anxiety treatment or depression therapy, don’t hesitate to contact us when you are ready.