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Anxiety and depression hand in hand

Shazzba61
Community Member

I was shocked to hear that my anxiety issues were linked to depression.  When I researched 'depression' i discovered that obsessiveness, compulsions , intrusive and bad thoughts all linked to depression. I had thought I was going crazy but it turns out to be a chemical imbalance in the brain that is easily treated with medication!! Yay!!!!!

3 Replies 3

JessF
Valued Contributor
Valued Contributor

Hello Shazz, yes that must have been a relief. These categories that are put on mental illness can be more of a hindrance than a help sometimes. I know that when I'm not feeling well, you can't really tell where anxiety starts and depression finishes, it's one big circle.

I'd disagree with you a little on the 'easily' bit with medication, it's not a panacea but it's certainly part of the package, at least in my experience. I don't want to sound like a grinch, but sometimes it pays not to be too enthusiastic about these things otherwise you can set yourself up for a fall if a relapse happens.

I've found seeing a psychologist has been so useful over the long term because you learn coping skills. That way, when the storm comes, you can bunker down and work through it and not get too down on yourself when it happens.

CrashCoyote
Blue Voices Member
Blue Voices Member

Hi Shazzba61,

Thank you for your post.

JessF is right, not all anxiety or depression is treatable with medication and even for those it does help, there can be side effects ranging from mild to severe! That isn't to say some people aren't being treated quite adequately with medication, but it is not the silver bullet.

Further, there is no certainty that all depression is a chemical imbalance or that it is correctable with medication. See this link;

http://www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/depression/what-causes-depression

Good luck with it all and make sure you explore your treatment options.

Kind regards, John.

 

geoff
Champion Alumni
Champion Alumni

dear Shazzba, welcome to the site and thanks for posting your comment.

What you have mentioned are typical signs of having OCD which certainly is caused by anxiety and does involve depression, as I have all three for a long time, and medication can help with two of these, anxiety and depression, but with OCD it's not that easy, although it may help slightly but it won't stop it, and I don't want to take the shine off your post.

OK let me explain, I've had OCD for 54 years, which also means that I have had anxiety for that long as well, but I was only diagnosed back in the early '90's and tried many types of medication before my body accepted one which the doctor's say is for depression and OCD, but it was a long time before any medication started to help me, that is with my depression and anxiety, but my OCD I will always have, even with this medication.

I would really like to know more about your 'obsessiveness, compulsions , intrusive and bad thoughts' as it does interest me a great deal.  Geoff.