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Depression and anxiety: Can I have both?
By Mayo Clinic staffOriginal Article: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression-and-anxiety/AN01615
- With Mayo Clinic psychiatrist
Daniel K. Hall-Flavin, M.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Daniel K. Hall-Flavin, M.D.
Daniel K. Hall-Flavin, M.D.
Dr. Daniel Hall-Flavin, board certified in general psychiatry and addiction psychiatry, is a St. Louis native looking to the Internet as a way to help people improve their health and be more active participants in their own health care by learning from Mayo Clinic's experts.
Dr. Hall-Flavin served on the faculties of Cornell University Medical College, New York Medical College and The George Washington University Medical School before joining the Mayo Clinic staff in 1996. He has special interests in adult psychiatry, addiction psychiatry, pharmacogenetics and personalized medicine. He served as medical director of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence from 1986 to 1999, and is currently involved in translational medicine research involving the introduction of pharmacogenetic technology into the daily practice of community psychiatry.
"With the advent of pharmacogenetics and related fields and the advances in translational medicine, informed collaborative relationships between knowledgeable, capable health professionals and informed, proactive individuals and their families are more vital than ever," he said.
"I'm optimistic that our Internet health education activities will contribute to ever-improving health outcomes for all who participate and apply what is learned."
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Question
Depression and anxiety: Can I have both?
Is it possible to have depression and anxiety at the same time?
Answer
from Daniel K. Hall-Flavin, M.D.
Depression and anxiety are different conditions, but they commonly occur together. They also have similar treatments.
Feeling down or having the blues now and then is normal. And, everyone feels anxious from time to time — it's a normal response to stressful situations. But, severe or ongoing feelings of anxiety and depression can be a sign of an underlying mental health disorder.
Anxiety may occur as a symptom of clinical (major) depression. It's also common to have depression that's triggered by an anxiety disorder such as generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder. Many people have a diagnosis of both an anxiety disorder and clinical depression.
Symptoms of both conditions usually improve with psychological counseling (psychotherapy), medications such as antidepressants, or a combination of the two. Lifestyle changes such as improving sleep habits, using stress-reduction techniques or getting regular exercise may also help. If you have either condition, avoid alcohol and illegal drugs. They can make both conditions worse.
Next questionTinnitus causes: Could my antidepressant be the culprit?
- Anxiety disorders. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR. 4th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2000. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed Feb. 25, 2011.
- Major depressive disorder. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR. 4th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2000. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed Feb. 25, 2011.
- Blevins NC, et al. Anxiety disorders. In: Bope: Conn's Current Therapy 2011. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4377-0986-5..00011-9--sc9005&isbn=978-1-4377-0986-5&type=bookPage§ionEid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4377-0986-5..00011-9--sc9005&uniqId=236217852-2#4-u1.0-B978-1-4377-0986-5..00011-9--sc9005. Accessed Feb. 25, 2011.
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