People can have anxiety and depression occur at the same time, they go hand and hand in a way. In fact, it has been estimated that about 45 percent of people who have one mental health condition meet the criteria of two or more disorders. One study found that half of people with either depression or anxiety have the other condition. Even though both anxiety and depression have their own causes, they share similar treatments and symptoms.

Physical symptoms and behavioral changes caused by depression include:

· decreased energy, chronic fatigue, or feeling sluggish frequently

· difficulty concentrating, making decisions, or recalling

· pain, aches, cramps, or gastrointestinal problems without any clear cause

· changes in appetite or weight

· difficulty sleeping, waking early, or oversleeping

Emotional symptoms of depression include:

· loss of interest or no longer finding pleasure in activities or hobbies

· persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, or emptiness

· feeling hopeless or pessimistic

· anger, irritability, or restlessness

· feeling guilty or experiencing feelings of worthlessness or helplessness

· thoughts of death or suicide

· suicide attempts

Physical symptoms and behavioral changes caused by generalized anxiety disorder include:

· feeling fatigued easily

· difficulty concentrating or recalling

· muscle tension

· racing heart

· grinding teeth

Emotional symptoms of anxiety include:

· restlessness, irritability, or feeling on edge

· difficulty controlling worry or fear

· dread

· panic

sleep difficulties, including problems falling asleep and restless, unsatisfying sleep

You don’t have to live with unusual feelings, thoughts, or other symptoms of either anxiety or depression. Early treatment is the best way to manage the conditions and find long-term effective treatments. We will be talking about different methods to help with these issues all this week, stay tuned!