Connection between depression and anxiety (D&A) in young people
What are the signs of D&A?
Example: A teenager who avoids socializing with new classmates. Time later, he faces a few skills and opportunities to socialize or feels rejected, he feels overwhelmed, and desperate, resulting in social isolation, falling into a state of depression that becomes a source of anxiety 🚩 🚩
- Excessive worry in anxiety
- The inability to feel pleasure in depression
What Comes First: Anxiety or Depression?
Anxiety starts first
Depression starts first
D&A originate at the same time
The Stress Response System Underlies Anxiety and Depression : The stress response system in humans is similar to that of other mammals. Our body constantly scans the environment for potential threats, even in imagined situations. Once a threat is detected, the threat response system is automatically activated, triggering a series of physical and mental responses known as "fight, flight, or freeze." These responses can lead to anxiety and depression. Both genetics and past experiences can influence a person's sensitivity to threat and their ability to cope with stress.
What Makes Someone Vulnerable to Anxiety and Depression?
- Genetic
- Vulnerability from life experiences
- Overall psychological factor
How to Help a Teenager with Anxiety & Depression: Anxiety and depression can be interrelated and can be more difficult to treat when they occur together. It is important to take seriously the first signs of these disorders in young people. An evaluation by a mental health professional can help identify the underlying causes of your symptoms, and treatment should address these issues. The goal is to reduce the chance that anxiety and depression will develop as a dual diagnosis.
Anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are stress-related disorders, influenced by both genetic factors and stress. The cause of these disorders cannot be attributed to a single factor, since both contribute moderately, with a 40-50% probability if there is a family history. Challenging life experiences do not necessarily guarantee mental health problems, as it depends on individual neurobiological makeup and sensitivity.
- Several symptoms that overlap between the two disorders: Restlessness, Sleep disturbances, Difficulty concentrating, Fatigue.
-- Reacting to a variety of situations with negative emotions
-- Responding poorly to stress in their environment
-- Interpreting ordinary situations as threatening
