Depression Support Group

Depression is a real and debilitating condition that is often misunderstood by family and friends. Its meaning can range from a prolonged period of sadness to an actual mental illness with specific symptoms. Find and share experiences with others who are going through the same struggles.

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Basic Question

deleted_user
deleted_user
I am new to this board and I have a question about the difference between depression and anxiety. I have debilitating anxiety so bad that it hurts me physically to the point that I want to go to sleep and never wake up. I have trouble breathing and my thoughts can never seem to slow down. Can you be seriously anxiety ridden and not be depressed? Or do you generally have depression when you have severe anxiety?
deleted_user
deleted_user
You can one or the other and both. I have both. For me they do tend to go hand in hand though when I am not depressed I still have panic attacks.
deleted_user
deleted_user
You can have one or both. It wasn't until I was diagnosed as also having an anxiety disorder and began treatment for it that my depression also seemed to abate.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I have both...
I become so anxious that it makes me depressed.

1mom3kids...I am the same way...my depression may be under controll but the panic is always right there
deleted_user
deleted_user
I don't have anxiety attacks or severe periods of depression any longer, thank goodness.

My anxiety attacks were/are usually worse than my depressive episodes though. I become hypersensitive to light, sound, touch. It's like my nerve endings go into overdrive. Even a gentle hand on my arm hurts. It's odd and annoying.
deleted_user
deleted_user
My doctor has started me on Prozac. I always thought Prozac was for depression but he says it will help for anxiety just as much. Are there medications that are just for depression that dont help with anxiety?
deleted_user
deleted_user
I am on fluoxetine (prozac) and it works well for me. When I was first diagnosed with anxiety I was also put on clonazapam for a short period of time until I learned some coping techniques to help deal with the anxiety. I haven't had to take clonazapam for at least five years now.
johnnyboy
johnnyboy
You can have one or both. But usually when you get into the "severe stuff" you have both.
deleted_user
deleted_user
There is a big difference between the two. You can have one or the other or both. I know how you feel my anxiety is at a high level right now. I sleep alot so I don't have to feel those feelings.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I have both and my depression can make my anxiety worse but its possible to have one without the other... I have done
starfish
starfish
Although both usually involve negative thoughts, depression is generally associated with low energy, irritability, difficulty concentrating, low motivation, etc.
Anxiety is in a way at the opposite end of the spectrum -- it is associated with nervousness, inability to focus, tension, increased heart rate and/or respiratory rate, sometimes to the point of a panic attack which often feels like a heart attack.
starfish
starfish
Yes, you can have anxiety and not depression. However, if you do have both, usually the depression comes first.
deleted_user
deleted_user
In my case depression AND anxiety go hand-by-hand.

I took Prozac and it was very effective for both.

You should be aware that prozac may make you MORE anxious during the INITIAL WEEKS (inmsonia, nerviousness and so on).

Usually I need sleeping pills (temazepan) to help me with this side-effects, but they tend to go away after some time.

Hope this is helpful.
deleted_user
deleted_user
most people with depression will have some sort of anxiety, a tip for when yr anx is do something, anything, clean, have a sort out. exersize and keeping yr mind off it really helps, i know its tempting to grab yr duvet and lie down to relax but you will just lie there thinking about it and make it worse.
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