I Feel Depressed, But I Also Feel Anxious at the Same Time.
Is This Unusual?
No. Depression often is accompanied by anxiety, and as many as 90%
of those who are affected by depression may also have a diagnosis
of generalized anxiety disorder, or GAD.
People with GAD suffer from constant worry and tension that is much
worse than the anxiety most people occasionally experience. For example,
it's normal to feel anxious when you're running late for an appointment
or before a job interview, but extreme or lasting anxiety can be an
indication of GAD. Lexapro is an effective and well-tolerated treatment
for both depression and GAD.
What Are the Main Stages of GAD?
The main symptom of GAD is an exaggerated or unfounded state of worry
and anxiety, often about such matters as health, money, family, or
work. The worry is hard to control and interferes with daily life.
GAD develops over time. To be diagnosed with GAD, you must have had
anxiety more days than not for at least 6 months. The anxiety must
also be associated with at least 3 of the following symptoms:
- Restlessness or feeling keyed up or on edge
- Fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating or forgetfulness
- Irritability
- Muscle tension
- Difficulty falling or staying asleep, or restless unsatisfying
sleep
Symptoms vary from person to person, so GAD can be hard to diagnose.
Some people with GAD first go to see their doctor because of stress-related
complaints such as headaches or problems sleeping.
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