| Anxiety, by definition, is a heightened state | | | | struggling to make sense out of their |
| of fearful awareness with heart and thoughts | | | | uncontrollable apprehensions, in combination |
| racing. Depression, on the other hand, is a | | | | with an overwhelming feeling of |
| dulling of all interest and an inability to | | | | worthlessness, any change in a routine, or |
| concentrate, a lack of energy, and a real | | | | small disappointment may send them into a |
| sense of not being able to accomplish | | | | downward spiral of anger, and aggression with |
| anything. | | | | no sensitivity towards the damage they are |
| | | | causing those around them. |
| Due to these diverse mood descriptions many | | | | |
| may be surprised to learn how often | | | | Being anxious and or depressed most of the |
| depression presents itself as a secondary | | | | time makes enjoying life and experiencing any |
| disorder in an individual who is already | | | | consistent sense of satisfaction |
| suffering with chronic anxiety. Normal sleep | | | | unattainable. The obsessive worry and fear, |
| patterns are seriously disrupted for the | | | | the inability to rationally address any issue |
| individual suffering with this combination of | | | | at hand, combined with a body that is running |
| mental disorders aggravating the depressive | | | | at it's lowest level of productivity, all |
| lack of energy, and contributing to more | | | | this magnifies the individual's feelings of |
| confusing thought patterns. | | | | helplessness. |
| | | | |
| Alcohol abuse can quickly become a factor in | | | | The all consuming dread and general gloom and |
| this combination of disorders, since the | | | | doom attitude eat away at any desire to |
| sufferer may initially feel they are | | | | cultivate friendships, appreciate a hobby, or |
| receiving some relief from their discomfort | | | | even take a walk. `If only' can be a |
| by drinking to help induce sleep, etc. As in | | | | prevailing thought, as the unfortunate |
| nearly any other instance you can think of, | | | | person struggles to make some sense out of |
| dependency on alcohol never helps a situation | | | | their despair. |
| in the long run, quite conversely, it adds | | | | |
| another dimension to the struggles to | | | | As troubling as these collective disorders |
| overcome. | | | | are, there is help readily available for |
| | | | those who need it. It would be very wise for |
| Extreme anger is another symptom of this | | | | the loved one of an individual presenting |
| combined disorder, the person may be very | | | | these behavioral patterns to become as |
| quick to rage, and slow to calm down. Many | | | | educated as possible in both of these two |
| people in both verbally and physically | | | | areas of related disorders. |
| abusive relationships could be helped much | | | | |
| sooner if they were able to convince their | | | | Perhaps only then, when the anxious and |
| partner to be tested and then treated for a | | | | depressed person is approached in love and |
| mental disorder. | | | | concern from a caring person, will they be |
| | | | ready to seek help. If allowed to continue on |
| The person with this combination of anxiety | | | | in the self deprecating and negative life |
| and depression is not processing information | | | | styles these disorders breed, the anguished |
| correctly, and may believe others are against | | | | individual will very possibly go on to add |
| them, and blame especially those closest for | | | | even more disturbing symptoms and phobias to |
| their feelings. Unexpected situations are a | | | | their already distressing repertoire. |
| fact of daily life, but for the individual | | | | |