Anxiety and depression are two of the most common mental health disorders. Both can cause frustrating and debilitating symptoms that may spiral out of control without treatment. When you know what you’re dealing with, you can take the proper steps to heal and transform your life.
At our adult psychiatry practice, Jacob Leivent, MD, we serve patients in the Park Slope neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York City, and Westwood and Brentwood in Los Angeles, California. Take a moment to learn about anxiety and depression and how we can help.
Signs you could have an anxiety disorder
Anxiety disorders occur when your worry starts to disrupt your life. Some of the signs that you might have an anxiety disorder are:
- Worrying constantly
- Difficulty focusing outside of your worries
- Feelings of wanting to escape frequently
- Feelings of impending doom
- Racing thoughts
- Rapid breathing
- Excessive sweating
- Rapid heartbeat
- Shaking or trembling
- Becoming easily fatigued
- Difficulty falling asleep or restless sleep
- Muscle tension
With anxiety disorders, the symptoms happen on more days than not, and they continue for at least six months.
Signs you could have depression
Depression, like anxiety, can take over and cause daily problems. Some of the signs that you might have depression include:
- Persistent sadness
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Feelings of guilt
- Activities you usually enjoy no longer seem interesting or fun
- Fatigue
- Difficulty focusing and concentrating
- Slowed physical movement (observed by others)
- Slowed speech (observed by others)
- Significant appetite and weight changes
- Sleeping too much or having difficulty sleeping
- Thoughts of death, which may include suicidal ideation
Depression causes symptoms nearly every day and can last most of the day. Those symptoms occur on more days than not for a minimum of two weeks.
When anxiety and depression happen together
Some symptoms of depression and anxiety are similar or the same, such as sleep problems, difficulty focusing, and fatigue.
Major studies indicate that as many as 6 in 10 people with anxiety also have depression. The numbers are similar for depression with anxiety.
So if you recognize symptoms from both disorders, you could have a comorbid diagnosis with both conditions. This is sometimes called anxious depression.
Living in urban areas like New York City and Los Angeles increases the risk of both anxiety and depression. In fact, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans show clear brain differences in people who live in busy areas versus those who don’t.
What you can do about anxiety and depression
At Jacob Leivent, MD, we specialize in treating patients who have anxiety and depression. We’re based in New York City and truly understand the demands and stressors of daily life in big cities.
We strive to provide empathetic and supportive mental health care through convenient telehealth in both the New York City and Los Angeles areas.
Our practice provides psychiatric evaluations, psychotherapy, and medication management, and as a patient, you have a direct line of contact to reach Dr. Leivent when you need him. This concierge level of service reassures you as you grow stronger, heal, and move ahead free from your frustrating symptoms.
If you need help with anxiety, depression, or both, call our office or contact us online today.