Although individual and symptom-specific disorders, anxiety and depression are greatly related to each other to the extent that depression in itself may be a symptom of anxiety disorders. As above 60% of population affected with anxiety disorders also undergo depression, a need for mixed anxiety depression treatment strategies arise. Until this, anxiety and depression were treated separately.

Beyond Depression and Anxiety

It may be hard to perceive the link between anxiety and depression. Depression is often characterized by a feeling of listlessness, while heightened anxiety may have more prominent physical symptoms. The astounding truth is that most people in a high state of anxiety also suffer from depression, which can lead to frequent panic attacks.

Where both conditions (depression and anxiety) are present together, both the problems get intensified. Depression needs prolonged and continuous treatment and when it is accompanied by an anxiety disorder, the mixed anxiety depression treatment becomes increasingly difficult.

Persistently high level of anxiety leads to depression that may give rise to panic attacks in some cases.

How Did Anxiety Depression Mixed?

People suffering from anxiety experience:

Low energy, tension,

Palpitation and restlessness.

Shakiness,

Muscle throbbing,

Sweating, Cold and clammy hands

Feeling of Dizziness,

Fast heart beats

Dryness in the mouth.

The signs and symptoms of depression vary from person to person, and depend on the severity of the condition:

Depressed Mood

Decreased sense of Pleasure or Interest

Weight Fluctuations

Insomnia or Sleep Disturbances

Psychomotor Retardation or Agitation

Feelings of Worthlessness or Guilt

Diminished ability to think

Inability to concentrate

Suicidal thoughts

When a patient shows all or most of the above mentioned symptoms, they are said to be affected by mixed anxiety depression and the condition demands mixed anxiety depression treatment.

Mixed Anxiety Depression Treatment

The various treatment options for mixed anxiety depression treatment include pharmaceutical drugs, cognitive behavioral therapy, alternative treatment methods like herbal medicines, dietary supplements, etc. With strong determination and will power, it is possible to get cured without medication at all. A perfect combination of psychotherapy and medication has given high success rates.

Medicines

Medication, rather than choosing as a lone treatment, is most effective when treated in conjunction with psychotherapy. Both treatments undertaken together control the symptoms rapidly.

Antidepressants are the foremost class of drugs used in treatment for anxiety disorders. It takes around six weeks to manifest the effects, however when taken along with an indicator, they act instantly.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are antidepressants that raise the level of serotonin in the brain that elevates mood.

Efficient control of the symptoms of mixed anxiety depression disorder is carried out by drugs called beta-blockers.

Cure

Therapy is a core component of treatment that deals with the psychological factors of anxiety-depression disorder.

The pattern of thinking is successfully corrected with the help of Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). The reaction pattern in response to anxiety-depression triggering factors is also taught to cease.

A CBT therapist assists the patients to react normally in the triggering situations. Practice of some relaxation techniques taught by CBT therapists also help.

CBT varies from person to person and is effective only with the involvement of the anxiety-depression disorder patient.

More than individual therapy, group therapy has given successful results and may take around two-three months.

Doing Exercise

Finally, a great treatment for both anxiety-depression disorders is ‘Exercise.’ Exercise releases endorphins and increases serotonin in the brain. It also provides a diversion from negative thoughts and helps increase your positive lookout on life. However, exercise is not a lone treatment it should accompany psychotherapy and medication.

Summary

Studies reveal a surprising fact that most anxiety disorders share a connection with depression. One can try out a number of remedies for mixed anxiety and treatment disorders but effective treatments involve a combination of psychotherapy as well as medication.