- With Mayo Clinic psychiatrist
Daniel K. Hall-Flavin, M.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Daniel K. Hall-Flavin, M.D.
Daniel K. Hall-Flavin, M.D.
Dr. Daniel Hall-Flavin, board certified in general psychiatry and addiction psychiatry, is a St. Louis native looking to the Internet as a way to help people improve their health and be more active participants in their own health care by learning from Mayo Clinic's experts.
Dr. Hall-Flavin has been a member of the faculties of Cornell University Medical College, New York Medical College, and The George Washington University Medical School before joining the Mayo Clinic staff in 1996. He has special interests in adult psychiatry, addiction psychiatry, and psychogenomics. He has served as medical director of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence from 1986 to 1999.
"With the advent of the genomics and proteomics revolution and the pace of advances in medicine, informed collaborative relationships between knowledgeable, capable health professionals and informed, proactive individuals and their families are more vital than ever," he said.
"I'm optimistic that our Internet health education activities will contribute to ever-improving health outcomes for all who participate and apply what is learned."
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- 'Clinical depression': What does that mean?
Symptoms (3)
- Nervous breakdown: What does it mean?
- Pain and depression: Is there a link?
- Atypical depression: What is it?
Causes (4)
- Caffeine and depression: Is there a link?
- Vitamin B-12 and depression: Are they related?
- Marijuana and depression: What's the link?
- see all in Causes
Complications (1)
- Depression and anxiety: Can I have both?
Treatments and drugs (9)
- Antidepressants and alcohol: What is the concern?
- Antidepressants: Can they lose effectiveness over time?
- Lexapro side effects: Is breast tenderness common?
- see all in Treatments and drugs
Alternative medicine (1)
- Fish oil supplements: Can they treat depression?
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Question
Depression and anxiety: Can I have both?
Is it possible to have depression and anxiety at the same time?
Answer
from Daniel K. Hall-Flavin, M.D.
Although anxiety and depression are regarded as two distinct disorders, it's quite common to have both at the same time.
The main characteristic of anxiety is being unreasonably fearful and worried. Anxiety disorders also have their own distinct symptoms. Examples of anxiety disorders include:
- Panic attacks
- Specific and intense fears (phobias)
- Generalized anxiety
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Depression is generally categorized by a core set of symptoms. Some of these same symptoms may be seen with anxiety disorders as well. Symptoms of depression can include:
- Ongoing feelings of sadness
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Sleep difficulties
- Decreased interest in usually enjoyable activities
- Suicidal thoughts
An anxiety disorder may cause depression and vice versa. If you have anxiety, depression, or both, you may need treatment for symptoms to improve. Your family medicine doctor may be able to diagnose you and prescribe medications that ease your symptoms, or you may need to see a mental health provider such as a psychologist or psychiatrist. Fortunately, treatments for depression may provide relief for anxiety as well. Treatments for anxiety and depression include psychological counseling (psychotherapy) and medications.
While they aren't a replacement for professional diagnosis and treatment, you might want to try certain lifestyle changes to help ease symptoms of depression and anxiety:
- Try relaxation techniques such as meditation.
- Get regular exercise.
- Avoid drugs, alcohol and caffeine.
- Eat regular small meals and avoid sugary foods — this will help stabilize your blood sugar throughout the day.
Antidepressants and alcohol: What is the concern?
- McGregor JC. Anxiety disorders. In: Rakel RE, et al. Conn's Current Therapy. 60th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/131567167-3/0/1621/552.html?tocnode=54637790&fromURL=552.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-4435-2..50280-6_4453. Accessed April 14, 2009.
- Anxiety disorders. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR. 4th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2000. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed April 14, 2009.
- Major depressive disorder. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR. 4th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2000. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed April 14, 2009.
- Kemper KJ, et al. Complementary and alternative medicine therapies to promote healthy moods. Pediatric Clinics of North America. 2007;54:901.
- Lakhan SE, et al. Nutritional therapies for mental disorders. Nutrition Journal. 2008;7:2.
