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