A Dual Diagnosis

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Jul 1, 2005

Often times, when a person has been diagnosed with depression, there is a secondary condition that the person is experiencing. That condition is called anxiety. There are many forms of anxiety as there are many forms of depression. When I was diagnosed with depression a few years ago, I was also diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, an extreme form of anxiety.

There is, however, a link between the two illnesses. On the surface there appears to be a significant difference between the two. Depression, on one hand, generates feelings of hopelessness, despair and anger. A person with depression often has a low level of energy and they feel overwhelmed by the everyday tasks. A person with an anxiety disorder feels moments of fear, panic or anxiety in situations where the average person would not have these feelings. People with anxiety disorders may experience sudden panic or anxiety attacks for no apparent reason. Without proper treatment, both of these illnesses can be debilitating.

Depression and anxiety are treated almost the same way, which may explain why there is confusion between the two. Antidepressants are used to treat both depression and anxiety and behavioral therapy is also used to help people overcome these disorders.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Approximately 85% of people diagnosed with major depression are also diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD. Generalized Anxiety disorder is characterized by 6 months or more of chronic worry and tension. Sometimes even the thought of starting a new day provokes GAD. People with this disorder:

Expect the worst
Worry excessively about money, health, family and work
Unable to relax
Suffer from insomnia
Suffer from physical symptoms such as fatigue, trembling, muscle tension, headaches, irritability and hot flashes

GAD effects around 3-4% of the population within a given year. The usually age of onset is childhood or adolescence. It may also begin in adulthood as well. GAD usually grows worse during periods of stress.

Medications can be very effective in treating GAD. The medications are not a cure, however, but simply relieve the individual from the symptoms of anxiety. Behavioral therapy is usually combined with medication to help individuals learn new coping skills to handle moments of panic or anxiety.

Panic Disorder

Panic disorder is another form of anxiety that affects between 3-6 million Americans. Panic disorder is characterized by moments of intense and unexpected fear. Usually these episodes of panic are accompanied by a few physical symptoms such as: