theyre 2 separate illnesses. Some people can have one without the other, often people have both though.

I dont live in the usa so I dont know about disability for you.

Depression and anxiety are not the same at all. Do a little research on the internet and you'll see they are very different.

Do you qualify to disability? You would need to talk to your doctor about that.

I hope you feel better soon. Neither condition is comfortable to live with. I have depression a lot of the time, and anxiety now and then. These conditions can often be controlled. I hope you can find relief.

I have depression, but very little anxiety, except for 2 years a long time ago from some very stupid circumstances. That being said, when I broke my arm and dislocated my knee this summer, and was confined to doing almost nothing, my blood pressure dropped to below normal, which is my normal.

So if raising blood pressure is an indication of anxiety, maybe I do have it. Except I kind of thrive on pressure and get bored and restless with no pressure. I guess it is a kind of glass half empty, glass half full type of thing.

As for disability, I am in Canada and on disability for RA and mental health. It did take a few tries to qualify, which is pretty stupid considering how sick I am esp. in the beginning.

No, they are not the same thing. Anxiety has about 100 symptoms depression, is not one of them, to my knowledge. In it self, it will not qualify you for Disability. If it did, I would not be fighting for disability, now.

They are very, very different.

To the best of my knowledge, it's POSSIBLE to obtain disability for either one.

But there's a big catch...you have to prove (with the written support of several doctors) that you are unable to work because of these issues. This can take years. Partial disability (I've heard) it a little bit easier to qualify for, but still quite involved.

Like others as I think different, but u can have 2 at the same time. I know it's a long process b4 u can qualify for disability. It has to be bad enough for u to b unable to work. I was in an out patient hospital program, many others have been in n out of mental hospitals for years.they r probably closer to getting disability

They are definetely very different. I can be feeling pretty good one day, & have a major panic attack. Your heart races, you feel like you are going to stop breathing & die. I usually only have a panic attack when my dad is around...I wonder why? I realize now that I had anxiety while growing up. I had panic attacks all the time, & didnt realize what they were. You can be depressed & have anxiety at the same time, I do.

They are two different conditions. I have both. When filing for my disability they did not pay attention to it, however, I also have bi polar and that is what I received my disability for. Can't hurt to apply though. You can do it online. If you receive a denial, then go talk to a lawyer, They will tell you what your chances are at no cost.

They are different, but I think it's pretty common to have both. I have both. Only once have I gotten close to having a panic attack, though. But I've always had anxiety and always had dysthymia/depression.

To confuse you further ... ;)

I just googled and found that apparently some researchers are now considering anxiety and depression "two sides of the same coin."

http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200310/anxiety-and-depression-together

don't know if this will post or not with the DS maintenance....

I was diagnosed with Panic Disorder going on 6 years ago.......... I went through a clinical depresion 13 years ago........ they are defintitely different in my opinion.. Anxiety I mean........ i do believe they coincide with each other.......... Anxiety/Panic disorder can sure as hell make you depressed...... Depression........ can make you have anxiety... It's a double edges sword for sure. For me..... my panic disorder makes me depressed. Not wanting to be home alone or driving is fucking depressing. You said you ' settled' in the conversation for ' anxiety'?

Can you get disability? I have no idea...... I guess I'm more concerned that you say you have been struggling with depression for 4 years but feel like you need to tell your husband it's ' anxiety'.

because that's more acceptable?

I wish you the best. I suffer with this as many of us do.. wish you didn't have to find a label for your husband to understand?

I am not trying to be tough....... but if it's depression,. or anxiety... or both....... you need his support.

(((((((((((( HUGS ))))))))))))))))))))

LMT

Thank you all for your replies...but I think I will focus on LMT's reply at this time...

LMT...Thank you...for your reply...and before you get worried I just want to reassure you that I am not upset or offended by your post...I do however want to explain myself...

My struggle with depression, and my 'settling' on the term 'anxiety' to describe my feelings is ALL ON ME...is the term more acceptable? Yes, it is...to ME...I don't particularly care what other people think about me...but I am very hard on MYSELF...and to admit to myself that I am depressed and have to take medication is very difficult for ME...it's even more difficult for me to admit to anyone else that I know or have to live with (i.e. my husband, son, family, or friends)...settling for the term ANXIETY does make it more easy...and its really more honest for me...cause I do get anxious...I often get these feelings that I just want RUN & SCREAM...years before I started dealing with this DEPRESSION/ANXIETY...when I got that feeling - I would go ride my motorcycle...and it worked...I felt free...free as bird...just me and my bike and the open road (except for the stupid drivers in cages)...but I haven't done that in years...and I have years of those feelings just bottled up inside of me...and I think that is why ANXIETY is a better more acceptable term for me...it has nothing to do with my husband, how supportive he is or isn't ...it's just me...ME, MYSELF, and I....that I have a problem with....I feel...

I am SICK....SICK and TIRED....of being SICK :(

and I feel like there is nothing I can do to feel better...although I know that isn't true...I just don't know anymore....

It's like the song Peace in the Valley says....

Oh well I tired and so weary...but I must go along...till the Lord comes and calls me away....

OK ...I'm done venting for today...I'm going to my moms house to take care of her so I can forget about all my problems just for a little while... good night...see y'all good folks tomorrow.


DR

I am glad I didn't upset you. I would never want to do that. I hope you know that. I may have misunderstood where you were coming from in terms of your husband's support and you needing to explain things.. Now I totally understand and trust me. I GET IT. I SO GET IT.

if you only knew how much I get it after you just replied what you did. I apologize for placing any blame on your husband.

I beat myself up every day for having the panic disorder/anxiety/depression........ because I feel weak...... we aren't weak D. We aren't.. but I feel your pain. I live it. I think most of us here are really sick and tired of feeling so sick and tired. but i'm gonna keep on fighting. You keep on fighting...... let's all keep on fighting.

Get some rest and know you are in my thoughts. always.

Hugs and love ~~

LMT

Hi I have been diagnosed with both.
I don't know about disability. You can only try.

I don't think it matters what label you give yourself and tell others because quite frankly there are not many understanding people out there of either of the disorders anyway.
I tell someone I have depression, they say count your blessings, if I tell someone I have anxiety they say try and relax. Lol.
I don't like to tell people what is up with me because I don't receive the understanding I need.

It really doesn't matter what you label yourself what matters is receiving support for whatever it is or whatever you call it.

That is why support groups are helpful.

And yeah I'm tired of it all too. I have physical chronic pain and fatigue too. It all ties up together in a neat little bundle of shit.

Can't get away from it.

I wish you the best.

Opinion: Two separate, but complimentary illnesses. They, in my experience, feed each other. Kind of a vicious circle. And Depression and Anxiety are recognized illnesses. Either or both can disable a person from being able to work. It may help to see a professional for a correct diagnosis. A proper combination of medication and therapy could treat your condition. You could check it out.

Anxiety and depression are close friends.