[Elana05]

Anyone have a hard time distinguishing between the two? These last few days have been pretty bad: mind racing, constantly worrying, totally exhausted, limbs feel shaky. Overall I feel like I have the flu. But I have the numbness, and sadness that accompany the depression along with the "I don't care anymore" attitude. I know this is the anxiety section but I guess I was also wondering what people take for it. (I am already doing a lot of therapy). Anyone have a med. or combination that helps both the depression and the anxiety?

[sundog]

Hi Elana. I take Zoloft. My main problem is various forms of anxiety. My depression is secondary to the Anxiety Disorders. I find the Zoloft to be somewhat helpful with both. I can distinguish pretty clearly between my anxiety and my depression, but they are inter-related and I know what you mean about not knowing where one ends and the other starts. I do find generally that they are two pretty distinct - and in some ways opposite - types of energy though.

[crazyman28]

Elana05,

I know from personal experience that depression and anxiety can go hand and hand. Anxiety can be absolutely exhausting. I was so worried, even the night before, I fell asleep during a quiz. I was very anxious and when it came time to take the quiz I just shutdown. I don't remember the medication that I took but it was an antidepressant, so in some ways it helped the depression part as well. Even though I never really mention depression before. With therapy and medication I have been able to better manage my anxiety. Also very careful with anti-anxiety because they can be addicting.

Best of Luck,

Crazyman28

[Caretaker Leo]

Elana, Thanks for posting the question.

I have given up trying to distinguish between the two. For me, it seems as though a number of issues in my life that have caused great anxiety have led to the worsening of my depression.

I take Paxil, but based on what you wrote, I am wondering if there might be something better out there for me.

[missbelle]

My anxiety and my depression I think are one in the same. I take xanax for anxiety and effexor for the depression with a little trazadone at nite. The combo works very well for me. I realized that I have been on meds for 20 years give or take.First I was on prozac. It stopped working after 11 years and now on effexor. I have been on effexor 9 years or so. Thank God for my meds. I am sane. I definately was not before meds. I saw you go to al-anon. I married an alcoholic and divorced him but wound up with two children who were alcoholics. Kelly, age 30 just got out of rehab. Rick, age, 38 just went out and is now in detox. Without al-anon I would need locking up. It has helped me to set boundries and to live. Oh, and Kelly is bi-polar so I have a dash of everything in my life and so can relate here in the forum.

Take care of you because you are no good to anyone inc your partner without you staying well!!

Many hugs!!!

[Cyran0]

Anxiety and depression mix a lot for me. I've had to admit to my therapist on more than one occasion that I can't tell the difference sometimes. Right now I'm on Zoloft, Lorazapam for periods of intense anxiety, and Trazadone to get to sleep at night.

I've been seeing improvement but it's not perfect yet either.

Cyran0