Anxiety and depression are two most common mental health conditions that affect millions of people worldwide. Although they are discussed separately, these two conditions are closely related and can often occur simultaneously.
In this blog we are going to learn about anxiety and depression along with their symptoms, relationship and treatment options. Understanding how anxiety and depression are related, can help offer better support and effective treatment strategies for both conditions.
Understanding Anxiety And Depression:
Anxiety is characterised as a persistent feeling of worry and fear and excessive thoughts about potential future problems. Common physiological symptoms include increased heart rate, sweating, dizziness, sleep and digestive disturbances, tremors and dryness of mouth. Types of anxiety disorders include generalised anxiety disorder, panic disorders, social anxiety disorders, specific phobias, and some others.
Depression is a mood disorder characterised by prolonged feelings of sadness mainly related to the past events, hopelessness, and lack of interest in daily activities. It affects your energy levels, sleep, appetite and cognitive functions leading to decline in overall functioning. Its common symptoms include feeling hopeless, continuous low mood, disturbed sleep and appetite, thoughts of self harm or suicide.
Overlapping Symptoms:
One of the ways in which anxiety and depression are related is through their overlapping symptoms, which often makes it difficult to distinguish between the two conditions. Here are some common features shared by both anxiety and depression:
- Sleep disturbances (i.e trouble falling asleep, waking up too early, oversleeping)
- Digestive problems (i.e constipation and diarrhoea)
- Difficulty concentrating
- Irritability
- Fatigue
- Physical symptoms like headaches, stomachaches, and muscle tension
Neurobiological Connection (Brain Chemistry) :
Both anxiety and depression are linked to the imbalance of brain chemistry, particularly involving neurotransmitters, which are chemicals that help to transmit signals in the brain. Here are some of the key neurotransmitters involved in both conditions:
Serotonin:
It is also referred to as a “feel good” neurotransmitter. It helps regulate mood, sleep and appetite. Both anxiety and depression are linked to low levels of serotonin. As reported by an article in Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, imbalance in serotonergic neurotransmission may contribute significantly to both anxiety and depression.
Nor-Epinephrine:
It is associated with our body’s stress response and is involved in arousal and alertness. Abnormal levels of nor-epinephrine are common in people with anxiety and depression.
GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid):
It is an inhibitory neurotransmitter which helps calm brain activity. A deficiency of this neurotransmitter may contribute to both anxiety and depression.
Environmental And Psychological Factors:
There are many environmental and psychological factors that contribute to the relationship between anxiety and depression. Here are some of them:
Chronic Stress:
Prolonged stress whether from relationship issues, work problems or any other reason can contribute to the development of both anxiety and depression. Chronic stress overwhelms the body’s coping mechanisms leading to dysfunction in mood regulation systems.
Trauma Or Major Life Events:
Experiencing trauma like abuse or major life events like loss of a loved one, are significant risk factors for development of both anxiety and depression.
Cognitive Patterns:
People suffering from anxiety and depression often engage in negative thought patterns. Anxiety might involve constant worrying, catastrophic thinking and imagining worst case scenarios. Depression makes people have a sense of hopelessness and pessimism about the future. These cognitive patterns often create a feedback loop where anxiety triggers depression and depression exacerbates anxiety.
Co-occurrence Of Anxiety And Depression:
It is common for many people to experience anxiety and depression simultaneously, a phenomenon known as comorbidity. This can complicate treatment as symptoms of one disorder may worsen or mask the symptoms of the other. Co-occurrence of anxiety and depression can make people experience more severe symptoms like:
- Increased distress
- Greater impairment of daily functioning
- High risk of suicidal thoughts
Treatment Options:
Effective treatment options for co-occurring anxiety and depression include:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT):
CBT is a widely used therapeutic approach that helps people recognise and change their negative thought patterns. As it offers coping strategies to manage distressing thoughts and emotions, it is effective for treating both anxiety and depression.
Medications:
In many cases, antidepressants like Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are prescribed to treat both anxiety and depression. SSRIs help increase serotonin levels in the brain and help improve mood and reduce anxiety.
Lifestyle Changes:
Lifestyle changes like doing gentle exercise, taking a healthy diet, getting adequate sleep, practicing relaxation techniques and mindfulness activities like meditation and yoga, can help reduce symptoms of both anxiety and depression. These changes can help regulate the brain’s chemical balance and improve overall mental as well as physical health.
Support Networks:
Seeking support from family, friends, and support groups can help people with anxiety and depression.Talking about their struggles help them feel understood and less isolated.
It is important for people suffering from anxiety and depression or both to seek professional help when needed. With the right treatment, people can manage both conditions and improve their quality of life.
Conclusion:
Both anxiety and depression are deeply interconnected conditions. While they both have unique characteristics, they share many common symptoms, risk factors, neurobiological foundation and treatment options. Understanding how anxiety and depression are related, can help us manage it in a more effective way.
If you are struggling with anxiety, depression or both, and need some time off work or school to focus on your well-being, you may need a sick note to take an official leave. You can get a sick note online within minutes, by an EU licensed doctor, from the comfort of your home.