Have you ever felt that your sadness or anxiety is getting intense and exerting a negative impact on daily functioning? You might be suffering from a condition: Mixed anxiety and depressive disorder. It’s a challenging mental illness that involves the symptoms of both anxiety and depression at the same time. Due to symptoms of mixed anxiety depression, affected individuals face multiple issues in different aspects of their lives. However, if you want to know more in detail about what is mixed anxiety and depressive disorder then read this article thoroughly. Moreover, you will also get a complete idea regarding the symptoms, causes, diagnosis and the most effective treatment for mixed anxiety depression and strategies for coping with anxiety and depression.
What is Mixed Anxiety and Depressive disorder?
Anxiety involves the symptoms of fear, sadness or worry while depression involves the persistent state of low mood and reduced energy levels. Although both mental issues occur independently, most individuals can also suffer from both conditions at the same time. Mixed anxiety and depressive disorder is a mental illness that involves the blend of symptoms of both anxiety and depression. MADD is quite different from generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder and affected individuals face more difficulty in maintaining their life activities due to the distress that results from both mental conditions.
If we talk about anxiety then there is a great diversity in anxiety families which is as follows:
Generalized anxiety disorder
GAD is characterized by a prolonged phase of sadness and fear. Individuals take extra stress even without any apparent reason.
Specific phobia
Specific phobia involves the fear of any object or situation that causes persistent stress or anxiety in individuals.
Panic disorder
Panic disorder involves the occurrence of intense episodes of panic attacks.
Social anxiety disorder
Individuals suffering from social anxiety disorder usually prefer isolation and do not feel comfortable in social gatherings.
Agoraphobia
Agarohobia involves the fear of certain open and closed spaces. Moreover, individuals also feel fear in social gatherings and even using public transport and washrooms.
Separation anxiety disorder
This disorder occurs when a person gets separated from a loved one.
Selective mutism
Selective mutism is also a type of anxiety disorder in which individuals can not effectively speak in front of others or some special settings including school, college or in front of friends.
However, the depression family revolves around a single disorder which is named major depressive disorder or major depression. Approximately, 6.7% of US individuals have been diagnosed with major depression. This mental illness was first recognized by the experts and gained attention. Then experts start making efforts to find out the triggers and treatment of depression.
Symptoms of Mixed Anxiety and Depressive disorder
Individuals suffering from mixed anxiety and depressive disorder exhibit the following symptoms:
Emotional symptoms: Extreme and prolonged sense of sadness, worthlessness, hopelessness, irritable behaviour.
Cognitive symptoms: Intrusive thoughts, difficulty in focus or concentration, difficulty in making decisions, lack of motivation, reduced pleasure.
Physical symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, fatigue, changes in appetite, difficulty in sleep, excessive sweating, muscle stiffness, reduced interest in sex and psychomotor agitation
What are the causes of Mixed Anxiety and Depressive disorder?
Multiple factors can trigger the onset of mixed anxiety and depressed mood. The exact cause is still not known but the most common causes are as follows:
Genetic factors
Different researchers have reported that both anxiety and depression are genetic disorders as some genes are passed from parents to offspring and cause the onset of both mental issues. Moreover, if you have a sibling who is suffering from them then there is an increased probability that you will also suffer from these mental conditions.
Environmental stressors
Stressful scenarios are one of the leading causes of both anxiety and depression in individuals. Those individuals who continuously get exposed to any stressful situation are more likely to suffer as compared to those who remain mentally calm and relaxed. Therefore, individuals are always recommended to avoid stress to live a mentally active and healthier life.
Lack of social support
Every individual requires support when going through any difficult situation. However, if individuals are battling with anxiety and depression and do not have any support from their family or surroundings then they majorly develop mixed anxiety and depressive disorder.
Physical illness
It’s quite natural that those individuals who are the victim of any physical illness take stress about their mental health. Due to their illness, they remain in continuous stress situations and become more prone to suffer from both anxiety and depression.
Personality traits
Some individuals remain extra concerned about their personality. They always want to have perfection and remain in stress about how they can improve their personality traits. Moreover, they set so high standards for them that they get at the edge of risk of having both anxiety and depression.
Medication intake
Although medications are the primary component of each mental health treatment, their inappropriate usage can lead to many consequences. Certain medications can cause anxiety and depression such as medicines for anaemia, heart failure, hepatitis etc. Moreover, birth control pills and some other drugs can increase the risk of developing both anxiety and depression. Therefore, it is always recommended to take the expert recommendation before the intake of any medication.
Substance abuse
Substance abuse is also linked with anxiety and depression. Most individuals think that by drinking alcohol or any other drug, they can get relief from their stress. However, the excessive consumption of alcohol and any other drugs can lead to the development of both anxiety and depressive disorder.
Neurotransmitter Imbalances
Neurotransmitters are the specialized chemicals that are released by the brain and control different activities. Dopamine and serotonin are the major neurotransmitters that regulate mood. If there is an imbalance in the level of these neurotransmitters then it can also result the anxiety and depression.
Autonomic system
The Autonomic system is also linked with anxiety and depression. When this system is activated then a fight or flight response is generated which involves physical symptoms including elevated heartbeat and respiratory rate, panic attacks and various gastrointestinal issues. These symptoms are common in those individuals who take extra stress and experience the development of MADD.
What are the risk factors of Mixed Anxiety and Depressive disorder?
Some common risk factors for mixed anxiety and depressive disorder include:
- Financial stress
- Previous family history
- Lack of confidence
- Reduced self-esteem
- Traumas
- Brain damage
- Presence of any severe or chronic illness
- Old age
How is Mixed Anxiety and Depressive disorder diagnosed?
The exact diagnosis of mixed anxiety and depressive disorder is somehow difficult as it is not present in the most up-to-date DSM-5. Mental health professionals can better diagnose the mental condition by performing a psychological evaluation in which they determine multiple things. Moreover, the evaluation involves:
- Determining the previous medical history
- Determining the family history
- Getting answers related to the current situation
- Utilize the rating scales to find out more about potential illness
- Some physical tests to determine the presence of any physical illness
Is mixed Anxiety and Depressive disorder a comorbid condition?
Yes. Mixed anxiety and depressive disorder is a comboroid condition. Different studies have reported an increased level of comorbidity between both mental illnesses. The World Health Organization have also defined the mix of anxiety and depression as comorbidity.
Moreover, approximately 60% of individuals suffering from major depression can also get the symptoms of anxiety disorder.
In mixed anxiety and depressive disorder, symptoms of both conditions usually overlap with each other and one condition usually remains predominant over the other.
How mixed Anxiety and Depressive disorder affect individuals?
Mixed anxiety and depressive disorder can exert a negative effect on the following:
Your mood
Mixed anxiety and depressive disorder majorly affect the mood. Individuals suffering from mixed anxiety and depressive disorder usually exhibit uncontrolled mood swings. Moreover, they do not feel pleasure in activities that were once enjoyable for them. They always remain in stress that they can not achieve anything in their life. Furthermore, individuals do not take an interest in anything and get worried even due to small things due to the fluctuations in their mood.
Your mind
Mixed anxiety and depressive disorder majorly affect the mind more than the body. Most of the activities of the brain are affected by the symptoms of MADD which include:
- Paying attention to the most important things
- Taking a normal and undisturbed sleep
- Taking an interest in social activities
- Handling the occurrence of intrusive thoughts
As the brain is the major organ that controls the entire body, any imbalance in this organ can affect the entire body and overall quality of life.
Your body
Although mixed anxiety and depressive disorder affect mental stability, some physical symptoms also appear which include:
- Dizziness
- Dryness in mouth
- Unconsciousness
- Increased heart rate
- Increased respiratory rate
- Changes in appetite
- Trembling
- Shaking of hands
- Reduced sexual drive
If you are having these symptoms then it does not mean that you are suffering from mixed anxiety and depression. There is a possibility that you are suffering from any physical illness.
What are the treatment approaches for Mixed anxiety and depressive disorder?
Multiple treatment options are used to deal with mixed anxiety and depression and the most common ones are as follows:
Psychoeducation
Psychoeducation involves teaching individuals all aspects of mental illness and the strategies to deal with them. With the help of psychoeducation, individuals can learn how mixed anxiety and depressive disorders develop and how they can take control of their mental health to diminish the symptoms of both mental issues. Moreover, psychoeducation also provides information about the following facts:
- Depression and anxiety are common mental issues
- The symptoms of both mental disorders are not the signs of weakness or any abnormality of your personality.
- Depression and anxiety are treatable and individuals can get relief from the symptoms of both mental health issues.
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy, a common type of psychotherapy is used to treat mixed anxiety and depressive disorders. Affected individuals attend different sessions of CBT and get the best solutions to overcome them. First experts guide individuals that how to identify the trigger of their anxiety and depression symptoms including persistent sadness, fear and worry. Moreover, experts teach them how they can restructure their distorted thoughts and modify their behavior.
Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy
Exposure and response prevention therapy is another type of psychotherapy that is used to treat mixed anxiety and depression. First, experts ask the individuals what are their main fears and then list them based on their intensity. Then they are asked to face them without exhibiting any response. Initially, individuals feel stress but with time, they become adapted to the situation and stop responding to them.
Behavioral Activation Therapy
Behavioral therapy is ideal for lifting the mood as it changes the mind of individuals to participate in different activities. This therapy makes a connection between the person’s emotional state and behavior. Moreover, with increased participation in different activities, individuals can divert their minds and improve their moods.
Medications
Medications are recommended by the experts when the symptoms are severe and psychotherapy alone is not effective. Antidepressants are used to treat the symptoms of both mixed anxiety and depression. Following antidepressants provide the desired mental health results.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)
Atypical Antidepressants
Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs)
Benzodiazepines
Deep transcranial magnetic stimulation
Deep transcranial magnetic stimulation is a non-invasive technique and involves the activation of neural pathways. One of the main aspects of this therapy is that it does not involve the use of anesthesia and does not result the side effects. In this therapy, electrodes are attached to the scalp of an individual and then magnetic impulses are generated which stimulate the deeper brain regions that specifically regulate the mood and behaviour.
What are some self-help strategies for Mixed Anxiety and Depressive disorder?
Other than treatment options, there are some strategies of self-help for anxiety and depression.
Acknowledge your emotions
The first thing that you should do is start acknowledging your emotions. Remember that getting anxiety and depression is not a big challenge that you can not surpass. Tell your mind that both are just mental conditions and you can overcome them with some coping strategies.
Set your goals
Do not feel worthless as you can do whatever you want to do if you have passion and confidence. Set your goals and make efforts to achieve them. Moreover, when you succeed then give yourself some rewards. In this way, you will not only feel happy but also distract your mind.
Self-care
If you want to free your mind from anxious thoughts then start giving priority to yourself. For this, you have to focus on the following:
- Diet
- Sleep patterns
- Daily workout
Make a schedule and stick to that if you want to achieve mental wellness and serenity by removing the symptoms of mixed anxiety and depressive disorder symptoms from your life.
Mindfulness and Relaxation
Some useful mindfulness exercises can bring calmness to your mind and soul such as deep breathing, meditation as well as yoga. With the help of these techniques, individuals stay in their present moments and enjoy them instead of thinking about the past and future.
Avoid substance abuse
Limit the excessive use of alcohol and other beverages as they can increase the severity of the symptoms of both anxiety and depression.
Start journaling
Whenever you feel a burden on your heart, start applying these strategies that can help you vent out your emotions. Take a piece of paper and write down your all emotions, thoughts and feelings on them. Try to list those things that you are grateful for. With the passage of life, you will start focusing on positive things instead of negative things.
Self-monitoring
Become a reflection of your personality. Keep track of your emotional aspect and focus on the triggers of anxiety and depression. In this way, you can identify those areas that need improvement.
Get social support
If you think that you are unable to handle your emotions and thoughts then get the emotional support from your loved ones. Talk to your friend or someone close to your heart and share your all mental health concerns.
Last thoughts
Mixed anxiety and depressive disorder is the mental condition that is detrimental to the mental health of individuals. Both anxiety and depression can negatively affect mental health even if they occur independently. However, if these conditions occur together at the same time, individuals have to face more difficulty as they have to deal with both sadness and worry. Moreover, the combined symptoms of both mixed anxiety and depressive disorder affect daily life functioning. However, there are effective treatment options for both mental issues which include medications, cognitive behavioural therapy and psychoeducation.
Brainpower Wellness Institute is a recognized mental health platform that offers the best mental health support. Those individuals who are battling with mixed anxiety depressive disorder and other common mental issues can get professional help from Brainpower experts. They can easily manage the symptoms of the mental disorders and gain mental stability. At Brainpower, you can find a professional team of experts who not only treat mental illness but also provide effective mental health counselling. Individuals learn different strategies to manage their mental health by eradicating the symptoms and starting a new journey to regain mental wellness.
Related Article:
Understanding Social Anxiety: Causes, Symptoms, and Effective Treatments
Is Anxiety a disability
