Monday, August 10, 2009

Can Depression Present With Anxiety Symptoms?

Anxiety is a common symptom of depression. In fact, it is so common that doctors often have a difficult time discovering the correct diagnosis.

At the height of my battle with depression, anxiety symptoms were so profound that my life became difficult to manage. After finally seeking help for this problem, my doctor at the time told me I was suffering from a Generalized Anxiety Disorder, for which he prescribed Klonopin. Now if you've been following my blog, you already know how strongly I oppose this drug as a solitary treatment. Klonopin is a narcotic with a high rate of abuse, and in my case the dependency was almost immediate. It worked well for awhile, but as my system grew accustomed to the drug. For me, the drug caused more problems than it addressed. But I'm getting off the subject.

After switching doctors and undergoing a very uncomfortable "detox" from Klonopin, I was diagnosed with Major Depression w/ anxiety. Unfortunately I had the double whammy as far as emotional illness goes, but at least I was finally knew what I was dealing with. With the help of my new doctor, I became educated about my illness and learned that anxiety is a very common symptom associated with depression, and to treat one, I needed to address both.

Learn from my mistakes. If you are feeling anxious, and you feel it may be part of a larger problem, check with your doctor and have him/her explain all available treatment options. It can save you a lot of grief down the road.

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