Depression and Panic Attacks - Are They Linked?

The prevalence of depression is rising in today's world. Perhaps this is due to economic issues leading to unemployment and financial hardships. Hardships then lead to stress, which creates stress on entire families and interferes with their emotional well being. No matter the cause, depression is a serious problem that also leads to panic attacks.

The link between depression and panic attacks is quite obvious because anxiety tends to accompany depression. This can result in very severe problems because the two conditions can aggravate one another. The two conditions can also be difficult to treat. Nevertheless, there is a proper treatment. It just takes time for that treatment to be found.

Without treatment, an individual will continue to have debilitating attacks with depression that makes them feel as if their worthless and going crazy. Most individuals do not know what is happening to them, so there is a great deal of confusion involved as well.

When depression and anxiety aggravate one another

When depression and anxiety aggravate one another, they feel very extreme emotions. For instance, depression consists of feelings of boredom, hopelessness, sadness, and lonesomeness. Anxiety consists of feelings of urgency or an exaggerated feeling of readiness. Anxiety can also consist of a feeling of dread, such as the dread of social situations or dreading facing another day because of the unknown.

Those that have anxiety that accompanies depression are quite susceptible to frequent panic attacks. Those with frequent panic attacks can actually develop a phobia of whatever triggered the attack. All it takes is for something to trigger one attack for a person to become afraid. Add in the fact that the individual experiencing the attack has a rather glum view of the world and the end result is a person with no joy in their life.

It has been found that depression accompanied by panic attacks are more common than what was initially thought. Of course, not everyone suffering from depression will have anxiety attacks, but many with panic attacks may be depressed. Fortunately, there are some medications on the market that are made to deal with depression that is supplemented with anxiety.

You are not alone!

If you suffer from panic attacks and depression, then you should speak to your doctor so that you can discuss treatment options. It is true that after a panic attack you may not think about it until it happens again. Then again, you may have fear everyday that an attack is around the corner. Just know that you are not alone. There are millions of people suffering from depression and panic attacks at the same time.

In the end, don't hesitate to seek treatment. Individuals feel that they are going to be committed or their doctor will think ill of them. This is not true. Doctors treat individuals with such disorders all of the time. Sometimes therapy will help and other times a combination of therapy and medications are the solution. In the end, the right treatment will lead to a much happier life.