Mesandy
08-09-2007, 09:38 PM
Could depression be hampering your efforts to recover from panic disorder? Up to 50% of those with panic disorder also suffer from depression. Find out the symptoms and learn what you can do about them.
There's a good chance that if you have panic disorder, you are also depressed. The problem is, you may not even know it. With the myriad of symptoms that accompany panic disorder, it can be difficult to even notice that some new symptoms have entered the picture. Whether you or a professional has made the diagnosis or not, depression can be extremely detrimental to your recovery.
Knowing the Symptoms
The most important point to learn is how to distinguish the symptoms of depression. You may be surprised to learn what they are (from The National Institute of Mental Health):
Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" mood
Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism
Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that you once enjoyed, including sex
Insomnia, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping.
Appetite and/or weight loss or overeating and weight gain
Decreased energy. Fatigue, being "slowed down"
Thoughts of death or suicide, suicide attempts
Restlessness, irritability
Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain
If you already have panic disorder, you should be on the lookout for any one of these symptoms. You should tell your therapist or psychiatrist immediately if you suspect you may be depressed. If you don't have a therapist yet, get one! Until then, discuss it with your family doctor. If you start having suicidal thoughts, then you should seek help immediately!
Why Depression?
Why do some people with panic disorder also have depression? The depression may have been there before the panic disorder set in. Or, the depression may be secondary to the panic disorder. Frankly, it is rather easy to see how one might become depressed as the capacity to live independently diminishes. The two illnesses can really feed on each other as a person becomes more and more disabled. In addition, it is difficult enough to seek help when one is already avoiding activities such as driving, but the added apathy and hopelessness associated with depression can push a person beyond caring about getting well
Don't Lose Hope
Whatever you do next, please do not lose hope! There is so much help out there for people with anxiety disorders and depression. Also, never be embarrassed by your problems. You are definitely not alone -- I and many other people with panic disorder (or who have recovered) have also experienced depression. It's a difficult road to travel, but it's possible to get past the most trying of times. In any case, many of the same treatments for panic disorder may also be used for depression -- similar medications and therapy. However, it is still important to tell your doctor or therapist that you may be depressed because alterations in your treatment may be necessary.
One final note: if you have panic disorder and you are not depressed at this time, please remember what you have read here. Be on the lookout for depression's warning signs. Meanwhile, start working on getting well so that you may never have to reach the point where you are depressed.
thanks,
mesandy:)
There's a good chance that if you have panic disorder, you are also depressed. The problem is, you may not even know it. With the myriad of symptoms that accompany panic disorder, it can be difficult to even notice that some new symptoms have entered the picture. Whether you or a professional has made the diagnosis or not, depression can be extremely detrimental to your recovery.
Knowing the Symptoms
The most important point to learn is how to distinguish the symptoms of depression. You may be surprised to learn what they are (from The National Institute of Mental Health):
Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" mood
Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism
Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that you once enjoyed, including sex
Insomnia, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping.
Appetite and/or weight loss or overeating and weight gain
Decreased energy. Fatigue, being "slowed down"
Thoughts of death or suicide, suicide attempts
Restlessness, irritability
Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain
If you already have panic disorder, you should be on the lookout for any one of these symptoms. You should tell your therapist or psychiatrist immediately if you suspect you may be depressed. If you don't have a therapist yet, get one! Until then, discuss it with your family doctor. If you start having suicidal thoughts, then you should seek help immediately!
Why Depression?
Why do some people with panic disorder also have depression? The depression may have been there before the panic disorder set in. Or, the depression may be secondary to the panic disorder. Frankly, it is rather easy to see how one might become depressed as the capacity to live independently diminishes. The two illnesses can really feed on each other as a person becomes more and more disabled. In addition, it is difficult enough to seek help when one is already avoiding activities such as driving, but the added apathy and hopelessness associated with depression can push a person beyond caring about getting well
Don't Lose Hope
Whatever you do next, please do not lose hope! There is so much help out there for people with anxiety disorders and depression. Also, never be embarrassed by your problems. You are definitely not alone -- I and many other people with panic disorder (or who have recovered) have also experienced depression. It's a difficult road to travel, but it's possible to get past the most trying of times. In any case, many of the same treatments for panic disorder may also be used for depression -- similar medications and therapy. However, it is still important to tell your doctor or therapist that you may be depressed because alterations in your treatment may be necessary.
One final note: if you have panic disorder and you are not depressed at this time, please remember what you have read here. Be on the lookout for depression's warning signs. Meanwhile, start working on getting well so that you may never have to reach the point where you are depressed.
thanks,
mesandy:)