Anxiety depression - symptoms, causes, treatment

Do you think every depression looks the same? There are different types of depression. It is worth talking about mental problems and breaking down taboos. In this way, anxiety, fear, depression or other disorders that are difficult to cope with on your own can be successfully treated. Remember that depression is a dangerous illness and that anxiety depression carries a serious risk of suicidal thoughts.

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What is anxiety depression?

In anxiety depression, the symptoms that dominate the sense of sadness are constantly galloping thoughts, centred around worry, apprehension and anxiety. Severe anxiety can lead the patient to withdraw almost completely from both social and professional life.

Other terms for anxiety depression are neurotic depression and agitated depression.

Causes of anxiety depression

Anxiety depression is most often suffered by people who have a deep sense of duty, who feel responsible for others and who cannot compromise. Rigid patterns of thinking will cause them to fear losing their position. Other causes of anxiety and depression include:

• fear of being judged negatively by others
• suppression and concealment of emotions
• strongly experiencing problems and failures
• tendency to experience extreme emotions
• tendency to exaggerate even minor difficulties
• not expressing their feelings.

Patients with anxiety and depression rarely want to seek specialist help. This is why the role of loved ones is so important. Often it is only they who succeed in persuading the patient to seek psychological help.

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Symptoms of anxiety depression

In anxious depression, anxiety accompanies the patient constantly, but the degree of intensity varies. Especially in the morning and just before bedtime, the anxiety symptoms increase. The problem is serious and complex because it is a combination of two factors: depression and anxiety disorders. This can lead to a situation where a person with severe anxiety downplays the symptoms of depression, simply because they are not aware that proper diagnosis and treatment can effectively resolve their problems.

In addition to symptoms of a psychological nature, anxiety depression can cause a range of somatic symptoms or those associated with circadian rhythm disturbances.

Mental symptoms of anxiety depression include the following:

• experiencing long-lasting, severe or paralysing anxiety
• restriction of life activities due to the feeling of anxiety
• sudden panic attacks, for example in public places
• constant worrying, forming "black scenarios" in one's head
• psychomotor restlessness
• eating disorders, e.g. anorexia or bulimia
• seeking relief in stimulants, greater susceptibility to addictions
• severe mood depression
• low self-esteem
• sense of lack of prospects
• tiredness, lack of energy and motivation to act
• suicidal thoughts.

Somatic symptoms of anxiety depression include the following:

• hypertension and faster heart rate
• chest pains
• shallow, rapid breathing
• foreign body sensation in the throat
• increased sweating
• nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting
• headache and dizziness.

Symptoms associated with disrupted day and night rhythms in anxiety depression include:

• sleeping problems due to anxiety
• waking up early
• daytime sleepiness
• sleeping a large number of hours in a day.

Can anxiety depression be cured?

Yes, anxiety depression can be successfully cured, but it is important to remember that this is a long-term process. The first important step is to receive a proper diagnosis. Once possible illnesses that would be indicated by somatic symptoms have been ruled out, psychiatric help is essential.

Treatment of anxiety depression follows a two-track approach:

• pharmacotherapy - calms the patient and prepares him for psychotherapy
• psychotherapy - helps to get to the root of the problem and teach the patient how to deal with it effectively.

The choice of treatment is an individual matter. Its course depends on many factors, including the severity of the disorder, co-morbidities and even lifestyle. The treatment itself can last from a few weeks to several years.

Medication for the treatment of anxiety and depression is selected and prescribed by a psychiatrist. Whether to fight depression without medication must also be decided by a specialist. There are no types of depression that can be effectively treated with so-called home remedies. Psychiatric help is always needed. It is also advisable to seek the support of a good psychologist (online you have access to a specialist 24/7, also in crisis situations).

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Why anxiety depression keeps coming back?

Depression is an illness that can return even many years after its initial onset. Although there are various reasons for this return, it is most often due to a lack of appropriate treatment. 

One of the most important factors through which depression and anxiety neurosis can return is lack of treatment or inadequate treatment of the illness. Many people who suffer from depression are only treated for a short period of time and then discontinue therapy when they feel better. Unfortunately, this course of action can lead to relapse as it does not allow the body to fully heal. This is why it is important to treat depression over a long period of time and to monitor your mental health regularly. 

Even if a person suffering from depression leads a healthy lifestyle and receives regular treatment, the illness can return. This is because depression is a chronic illness that requires ongoing care and control.

Remember - you can seek help from a specialist at any time. Don't wait for a free appointment at the psychologist's or psychiatrist's office - use the e-visit at Med24. Quick help can bring you the best results. Often it is also the only way to cure. 

Benefit from a remote consultation without a referral! How do I make an appointment for a medical consultation? To begin, create an account on our platform. Select a specialist, date and time of your appointment. Pay for the service and wait to be connected to the doctor on the selected date. Your consultation can take place in one of three ways: by phone, video call or text chat. 

Anxiety depression - symptoms and treatment 

Anxiety depression is treated with psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy. 

Medications for anxiety depression affect the levels of various neurotransmitters in the brain, such as serotonin, dopamine or norepinephrine. 

Anti-anxiety drugs, such as benzodiazepines, affect the levels of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) in the brain. GABA is a neurotransmitter that has a calming effect and reduces nervous tension.

Take antidepressants as prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop treatment without consulting your doctor, even if you feel better. Suddenly stopping medication can lead to withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, nausea and anxiety.

Antidepressants can also cause side effects such as dry mouth, headaches, nausea and sleep disturbances. However, most of these side effects are mild and disappear within a few days of starting treatment. If the side effects are bothersome, it is worth talking to your doctor, who may suggest a change in medication or dosage. 

Anxiety depression - how long does treatment last?

The treatment of anxiety depression is a long-term process, requiring commitment from both patient and doctor. If the patient is taking psychotropic medication, the first effects can be expected after about three weeks. After this time, the effectiveness of the treatment is assessed. In the 4th week after taking the medication for the first time, the full effect of the medication can be felt. Remedies should be taken for up to a year after the symptoms have disappeared. Sometimes doctors recommend taking them indefinitely. 

It is worth remembering that anxiety depression is an illness that requires professional help. If you are experiencing symptoms of anxiety depression, such as sadness, hopelessness, anxiety, concentration problems and sleep disturbances, it is worth consulting your doctor or a mental health professional. 

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Where does anxiety depression come from?

One of the most important factors is heredity. People whose parents or grandparents suffered from anxiety depression are more likely to experience it. Studies have shown that around 40% of patients with anxiety depression have genetic disorders that affect the functioning of the nervous system.

Another important factor is stress. People who experience constant emotional strain are more likely to develop anxiety depression. Stress can result from a variety of causes, such as problems at work, financial difficulties, family problems or other illnesses. 

The environment is also not insignificant. People who live under constant stress, under unfavourable conditions, such as financial difficulties, are more likely to develop anxiety depression. In contrast, people who have a stable life, live in harmony with their environment and have support from family and friends are less likely to develop this condition. 

A comfortable help for treating anxiety depression that works

Anxiety depression makes life really difficult for the sufferer. The anxiety makes even simple activities or establishing relationships a hard task. A person struggling with anxiety depression often does not want to seek professional help for fear of what others will think of them. Moreover, the very thought of seeking psychiatric help can cause anxiety, as any new and unfamiliar situation.

Telemedicine meets these needs and concerns. An e-visit to a psychiatrist, or therapy conducted by a psychologist or psychotherapist using modern communication technology is just as effective as visits made in a stationary office. Thanks to the e-visit, the patient can talk to a specialist from wherever they are. The patient himself chooses the time and conditions comfortable for him to talk. During the e-visit, the psychiatrist can write an e-prescription or, if necessary, issue an e-dismissal (l4). And all this without having to stand in a long queue to see a specialist, which is particularly important because, when it comes to health, time is always of the essence.

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