Does anyone else get tremendous anxiety with their depression? As my depression has worsened, so does my level of anxiety about every little thing. I obsess and plan way ahead of time about the simplest of things, like what I'm going to wear. For example, this morning my husband wanted me to help out with yardwork. As I lay in bed just thinking about it, I started to have sui thoughts feeling overwhelmed by that and thinking about chores like that in the future. Just wondering if I'm not alone in this. Also, does anyone know why it would be that anxiety and depression are coupled for me? This never happened in any of my previous depressions. Then again, no previous depressions have been as severe as this one. Thanks for any insight.

[tigerlily84]

I also experience a huge amount of anxiety along with depression. I obsess and try to plan way ahead of time for each possible scenario so that I don't make the wrong decision, so I know exactly what you're talking about. For me, I start by obsessing as I mentioned above, and when I am unable to make a decision I feel paralyzed in my indecision and then I start to feel like every choice will lead to a horrible outcome and there's nothing I can do. That feeling of helplessness is what starts my downwards spiral into depression. I'm not sure if it's the same for you, but sometimes it helps me to breakdown my thoughts; such as what is bothering me, what are possible solutions, etc. I'm sorry you're feeling so anxious. The anxiety in a lot of ways is worse than the depression.

Originally Posted by tigerlily84

I also experience a huge amount of anxiety along with depression. I obsess and try to plan way ahead of time for each possible scenario so that I don't make the wrong decision, so I know exactly what you're talking about. For me, I start by obsessing as I mentioned above, and when I am unable to make a decision I feel paralyzed in my indecision and then I start to feel like every choice will lead to a horrible outcome and there's nothing I can do. That feeling of helplessness is what starts my downwards spiral into depression. I'm not sure if it's the same for you, but sometimes it helps me to breakdown my thoughts; such as what is bothering me, what are possible solutions, etc. I'm sorry you're feeling so anxious. The anxiety in a lot of ways is worse than the depression.

Thanks for your response. Yes, anxiety and depression both can be - - and are - - crippling for me.

[Nammu]

I've found that certain medications exacerbate my anxiety. Could you go over your meds with your p-doc asking him to look specifically at the ones that may be causing anxiety instead of helping?

Originally Posted by sidestepper

I've found that certain medications exacerbate my anxiety. Could you go over your meds with your p-doc asking him to look specifically at the ones that may be causing anxiety instead of helping?

That's a good idea, sidestepper. Thanks!

[Jolisse]

It's not unusual to have depression and anxiety together, in fact it's quite common.

[Beanbag0]

Jolisse is right... The more anxious I get the deeper my depression becomes and visa versa... When I'm depressed everything seems to worry me and I end up with huge anxiety attacks

[TheOriginalMe]

I never really noticed anxiety as being a problem for me before this episode of depression, but this time the anxiety is like nothing else. I find it very hard to distinguish between agitated depression and anxiety, but I'm starting to recognise the difference.

I've been horribly anxious today because yesterday some boys were messing with my gate and have caused some damage. I'm mad at them because what they did was quite deliberate and mindless, I want to have it out with their parents but then the anxiety rushes over me and all I can do is cry or tremble. Then I feel so useless because I can't sort out the kind of problem that routinely crops up in life.

I'm hoping that CBT will help me get over the worst of the anxiety, even though the reason I was referred was my depression.

It seems like depression and anxiety commonly occur together and they act like a vicious circle with each making the effects of the other far more unpleasant.

[too SHy]

I simply just quit worring about it just quit caring

[waterknob1234]

This describes me to a T. Depression and anxiety go together for me and one aggravates the other. Usually, I worry that I will not be able to get everything done, or that I will get to tired to get everything done. Or else I worry so hard about doing the right thing and not making mistakes. Then I end up in a state of indecisiveness. Then I get angry with myself for not getting things moving forward. The anti anxiety medication I was on, buspirone, actually gave me more anxiety and made my heart rate speed up so I quit taking it. Now I am in that state of indecisiveness and inertia. One thing I find helping me with the depression side of things is this. Everyday I write down 2 colums good and bad. I make myself write down what was good about the day and what was bad. Woops, forgot to do this the last few days.

Newgal I have been in the same place as you too many times. It's a bad feeling. I hope you can find something that helps. Best of wishes and many hugs to you.

[Mustkeepjob32]

I have anxiety with my depression. It is the anxiety that prevents me from living the life that I want, not so much the depression right now.

[LifeIsCruel]

Yes, I know this all to well!

The mere thought of doing yard work overwhelmed you!! This is what depression does, it literally zaps out energy and motivation!

For myself, I try "baby steps"....for example, this Fall...as I rake my yard ( I have big yard-lots of trees) I am breaking it down into 4 smaller tasks (25% each day) for 4 days. In this way, it may not appear as daunting.

[Fuzzybear]

[anxteach]

Yes! They go hand in hand for me too. It wasn't always this way though... the depression came first and then in the last few years the anxiety has really taken over. It's hard to tell where one ends and the other begins.