Anxiety Support Group
Anxiety is a physical condition marked by intense and persistent feelings of distress, fear, angst or dread. General anxiety caused by routine day-to-day stresses usually passes quickly and is experienced by almost everyone at one time or another. However, such feelings that linger over time and are very difficult to cope with, and which lack a clear cause, may indicate...
Can anyone tell me the difference? When I am depressed I get very worried about my future...is this anxiety or depression? Is anxiety more immediate? I came off my meds a while ago for a couple of weeks but got terribly sweaty hands.
Many physicians, psychiatrists, and some psychologists come from the school of thought that depression is the underlying cause of anxiety. However, there are some that do not. I'm of the opinion that anxiety can exist independent of depression. My psychologist is of that opinion; however, my physician is not. I've been officially diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder by my physician, but what I really have is just a driving phobia. That's why my physician tries to prescribe me antidepressants to deal with what he perceives to be the underlying cause of my anxiety.
My physician also thought that I could be bipolar. He gave me a quick 10 to 20 question assessment. People who are bipolar typically have an overabundance of energy when they are not depressed and have racing thoughts. These thoughts are not just worries, but random thoughts.
"Normal" people also worry about their futures. So, it's hard to say if you're just worried or if you have anxiety. If you don't have periods of high energy and racing thoughts, it's unlikely that you are bipolar.
It is best if you bring up these concerns with your physician.
i think that for me the depression is the cause of the anxiety as I never feel anxious when I am well.I'm quite brave Leo!I
will take your advice and discuss my concerns with my pdoc when I see him next.
Thanks again