When Anxiety Moonlights as Depression

Depression and anxiety often occur together. When one worsens, the other typically does too. They feed off of each other in a vicious cycle. Individually, they make up the most two most common mental health diagnoses people suffer from in America today. There are many contributing factors, including brain chemistry, genetics, life experiences, family patterns, thought patterns, etc. These factors greatly influence emotional regulation and thought development from a young age and throughout life. Clinically, it is important to recognize which one came first. When we find the root cause, we can work to find solutions. Which one came first, the chicken or the egg? Depression or anxiety? Over time, they become so intertwined; it is difficult to tell one from the other.

Unmanaged Anxiety Leads to Depression

In some instances, unmanaged anxiety leads to depression. Anxiety is a complex and often debilitating condition. It can worsen over time and can lead to depression. Unmanaged anxiousness and nervousness can be so intense that a person cannot help but get depressed and overwhelmed. Fear and anxiousness prevent the person from doing the things they love. Anxiety becomes so uncomfortable; they start to have more anxious thoughts and feelings. They might also notice they start experiencing anxiety physically. Maybe there is a pit in their stomach, a tightness in the chest, or a lump in the throat. It becomes harder to manage anxiety as it takes over the mind, body, and decision-making. Over time, lack of motivation sets in. The person starts to believe negative things about themselves. The anxiety takes over. They feel hopeless, overwhelmed, and trapped. The more anxious they feel, the harder it is to think through problems and find solutions. It’s difficult to know what to do anymore. They struggle with learning how to work through tense situations. Anxiety becomes so great that any way they look at a situation, the anxiety boxes them in, and they feel there is nowhere to go. They feel anxiety is something they will always experience and feel powerless against it. The cycle continues and often gets worse. The person’s world (things they can do without being anxious) gets smaller and smaller until they feel as though they are in between a rock and a hard place. Then the depression sets in, and things spiral from there.

Often, clients who fall into this category have the best treatment outcomes. They are sick and tired of feeling anxious, so they take a chance by starting treatment. They are willing to lean in and take small steps toward facing their anxiousness. They often learn and practice skills to help them manage their anxiety as they progress in treatment. They start returning to the things they enjoy. The depression lessens. It is easier for them to have the confidence to take steps forward. They start believing in themselves again. Their world gets a little larger each day. They begin to feel free and hopeful again with time and consistent practice. They learn to be more compassionate with themselves and build on their successes. They are amazed at how far they have come. They have added more tools to their toolbox and have proved that they are more than capable of creating the life they want for themselves. They feel more confident in their abilities and learn to trust themselves to work through anxious situations as they come.

If this sounds like you or somebody you love, it is important to get help and work with a professional for treatment. Anxiety can improve. It doesn’t have to be something you struggle with for the rest of your life. You can learn ways to manage it so you can do the things you love. Anxiety is a signal to take action. If you have been feeling anxious and depressed for a long time, these symptoms will likely not go away on their own. By starting treatment for anxiety, you can begin to take control of your life by working with your counselor to develop a plan and get support and guidance along the way.

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