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The Relationship Between Anxiety and Depression
Theodora Blanchfield
If you are dealing with both depression and anxiety, it can feel like you're being pulled in opposite emotional directions. But you are far from alone. In the United States, an estimated 48 million people deal with anxiety, and research has found that about 59 percent of those with anxiety also show symptoms of depression.
Does anxiety cause depression, given that high correlation? Theories suggest it might, but a causal relationship hasn't been proven. All we know for certain is that depression and anxiety frequently appear in tandem. Both are highly treatable, though, and helping one has the potential to help the other.
What Are Depression and Anxiety?
It's likely you've experienced anxiety at some point in your life. If you've felt overwhelmed by your thoughts before a work interview or asking someone on a date, that's a normal expression of anxiety. However, if you're frequently experiencing anxiety that's disproportionate to a situation or unrelated to any specific event, you may have an anxiety disorder. As with any medical condition, it's important to see a mental health professional for diagnosis and treatment if you think you may have anxiety. Anxiety disorders can also cause physical symptoms, which could include insomnia, fatigue, muscle tension, or digestive troubles.
Similarly, you've probably experienced feelings of depression—trouble concentrating, sleep issues, lethargy, or not wanting to socialize. But major depressive disorder, , according to the
DSM-V, occurs when these feelings last for longer than two weeks. It also includes feelings of worthlessness, sleep disturbances (sleeping too much or too little), weight loss or weight gain, and difficulty concentrating.
The Relationship between Anxiety and Depression
Fifty-nine percent of those with generalized anxiety disorder also show symptoms of major depressive disorder. The reason for this overlap has not been proven conclusively, but several theories exist. One is that the relationship between anxiety and depression is related to a biological link in the brain that contributes to these comorbidities. Another theory suggests that both anxiety and depression can be triggered by stressful events—such as loss (of a relationship, job, or person) or interpersonal conflict—so symptoms of both may emerge and overlap.
Does anxiety cause depression? Sometimes anxiety can contribute to depression's development because it's taxing on the body or because it can lead to a habit of negative thinking. However, it's only one of many possible contributing factors. By contrast, depression doesn't typically trigger anxiety.
Treating Depression
Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all treatment for depression, so it may take you a few tries to find something that works. Antidepressant medication, talk therapy, or a combination of the two are common treatments. Self-care strategies like exercise or meditation can help by producing feel-good chemicals in the brain, but they're not a substitute for professional help.
If depression doesn't respond to talk therapy or medication, you may also want to consider non-drug treatments like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy. TMS therapy uses gentle magnetic pulses to target the areas of the brain that contribute to depression. It's non-invasive and has proven to be effective for people who don't respond well to other depression treatments.
Treating Anxiety
Anxiety disorders may also be treated with medication, talk therapy, or a combination of the two. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a popular type of therapy because it gives you the tools to directly change the thoughts causing your anxiety, leading to relief. Several antidepressants are also recommended for anxiety. Benzodiazepines, or sedatives, may be used as a fast-acting rescue medicine for anxiety or panic attacks. Relaxation techniques are also recommended, such as yoga or meditation.
Treating One May Help the Other
The good news is that, since many of the symptoms of depression and anxiety overlap, treating one may help with the other—especially if the anxiety presents first. Managing anxiety by working on healthy coping skills may also help depression symptoms down the line. The reverse is sometimes true as well—treating depressive symptoms can reduce the number anxiety symptoms you need to address. It can also give you the energy and focus needed to find the appropriate anxiety treatment.
It may take several tries to find what works for you, but don't be discouraged—relief is out there, and you can find the unique combination of approaches that works best for you.
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A recent study compared the effects of TMS therapy and Antidepressants. TMS therapy provided more relief from patients depressive symptoms compared to Antidepressants.
You may feel isolated and alone when you have clinical depression, and depression also affects your relationships with family and friends. While the primary focus of your treatment is to improve your mental health, it’s also essential to understand your loved ones may experience their own issues as they try to support you. An understanding of how depression affects relationships can help everyone maintain healthy connections and navigate problems. Here are some of the ways depression may affect the people in your support network.
We’ve all heard the common health-related misconceptions or myths-- chocolate causes acne, carrots will improve your night vision, and cracking your knuckles gives you arthritis. Subscribing to these particular myths is relatively harmless, but other health-related misconceptions can have far more serious consequences. This is the case for depression—the myths surrounding it can prevent people from getting the help they need. This is the case for depression—the myths surrounding it can prevent people from getting the help they need. Because untreated depression can have a serious physical and psychological impact, it’s imperative to have the right information in order to make the best decisions for yourself and for your health. Here are 5 common misconceptions about depression, and the facts behind them:
Starting any medical treatment for the first time can leave you with questions, especially if you’re looking forward to the benefits it may bring. It’s no different when you’re preparing for your nasal esketamine treatment. Your previous mental health treatments may have consisted solely of taking antidepressants at home or visiting a therapist’s office for cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), so nasal esketamine is probably a new treatment experience for you. If you're wondering what it's like to start nasal esketamine and get ready for your first session, keep reading. Getting Started with the Nasal Esketamine Treatment As with any new treatment, you’ll first talk to your primary care provider or psychiatrist about whether nasal esketamine is a good fit for you. Alternatively, you can schedule your esketamine nasal spray consultation with a treatment center (such as Greenbrook) that has certification by the FDA’s Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS). At Greenbrook's REMS-certified nasal esketamine treatment centers, our Greenbrook-affiliated psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners will review your medical history and also conduct our own assessment to help determine whether nasal esketamine treatment is right for you. Certain conditions, including blood vessel disease and a history of psychosis, may make treatment a risk for you. Make sure you discuss all previous and present conditions with your doctor or nasal esketamine provider before beginning treatment. If the medication is deemed a good fit, you’ll receive your prescription from the Greenbrook-affiliated provider. Your Greenbrook Care Team will put together a personalized care plan for the weeks and months to follow. Keep in mind that you will need to take a standard (oral) antidepressant along with your nasal esketamine treatment. There are two important regulations to note when it comes to preparing for treatment: Each treatment is followed by a mandatory two-hour observation period. This means you will need to plan to stay at the center for at least two hours following your self-administration of the esketamine nasal spray. You cannot drive during the rest of the day after treatment and must arrange for transportation. These regulations are mandatory. It may be helpful to sit down and plan out several weeks’ worth of transportation once you know your treatment schedule. In addition, if you’re wondering what to bring for the treatment, we recommend entertainment such as an audiobook or playlist of favorite songs and a pair of headphones. You may want them during the two-hour observation period. What to Expect During Nasal Esketamine Treatment On the day of treatment, you’ll need to stop eating any food two hours before your appointment and stop drinking all fluids 30 minutes before you come in. Your Greenbrook Care Team will confirm that you are prepared for the two-hour observation period and that you have a ride home. You’ll get the opportunity to practice using a “trainer sprayer” that mimics the real nasal esketamine sprayer but does not release any medication. The Care Team will encourage you to use the restroom and set up your preferred environment in your private treatment bay or room. Some patients like reduced lighting, for example, while others don’t request light adjustments. You’ll complete a depression scale before each treatment session. Your Greenbrook provider will confirm that the dose kit is yours, show you how to administer it, and then hand it to you. Each sprayer contained 28mg of Spravato esketamine nasal spray. Patients usually start with two sprayers (56mg) and soon increase to 84mg (three sprayers) per treatment. But, your dosage maybe vary. Should you be left with a metallic taste by the spray, the Care Team will offer suckers to help make the flavor dissipate. After your dose, you’ll be encouraged to lie back in your comfortable recliner. While most patients enjoy a quiet setting, Greenbrook is prepared to accommodate patients with a more animated reaction to the medication. You may feel sleepy, dizzy, mildly dissociated, and/or nauseated during treatment. Greenbrook's Care Team is readily available if you need assistance. How to Prepare for after your Nasal Esketamine Treatment Most side effects begin to wane in the second hour of observation, but if you’re wondering, “Is it safe to drive immediately after nasal esketamine treatment?” the answer is a resounding no. In addition to the mandatory ride home, you will need to block off time to rest and let side effects fully dissipate. This extended rest period is especially important in the first weeks of treatment when you’ll have treatment twice a week. Do not drive or operate machinery of any kind until the day after treatment. Just take it easy, relax, and take care of yourself. If you’re unsure what activities you can do or should avoid during this time, talk to your Care Team for more information. While side effects tend to dissipate completely after a good night’s sleep, many nasal esketamine patients begin feeling relief from depression symptoms within hours of their treatment. Other Tips in Preparing for Your Nasal Esketamine Treatment At Greenbrook, we make every effort to schedule your treatment in the afternoons or whenever it is most convenient for you. We encourage you to see each treatment session as an opportunity to relax and take care of your mental health. If you have any questions or concerns, talk to your doctor or the Greenbrook Care Team. At Greenbrook, we’ll help you feel at ease when preparing for each treatment session. Schedule A Free Consultation To get started with nasal esketamine, schedule your free consultation today.
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