The anxious depressive disorder, or anxious depression, is characterized by combining the most common symptoms of both conditions. That is, the patient suffers the symptoms of depression and anxiety at the same time.

This psychiatric condition is serious and, in addition to the deep sadness, causes many physical symptoms that can even affect the body of the person, in many different ways.

Physical symptoms of Anxious Depression

Alterations of Appetite

Among the effects of anxious depression in the body, is the alteration of appetite. While many people stop eating or eat the minimum necessary because of depression, others eat more because of anxiety. In both cases, it is a sign of the disorder.

Alterations of the Dream

On the other hand, sleep disturbances are also frequent. Insomnia because of anxiety is quite common, while sleep much, almost all day, or live with excessive tiredness, is a sign of depression.

Pains and Strange Sensations

Many people with anxious depression have indicated chest pain, pressure or a feeling of emptiness as a symptom. The muscle tension caused by anxiety or headaches are also common.

On the other hand, stomach disorders, such as diarrhea, nausea or cramps are recurrent symptoms, often due to eating disorders.

Changes in Speech

Many times, this condition leads patients to experience changes in speech. Depression can cause them to talk too slowly or in a monotonous way, due to the lack of motivation regarding what they want to say.

On the other hand, anxiety could make them speak too quickly, even generating a slight stutter. The need to say many things at the same time or to feel that they should be said as soon as possible is the most frequent cause.

Shortness of breath

Many times, because of an anxiety crisis or a panic attack, people will feel short of breath. The nerves of this situation could aggravate the situation, as in a kind of vicious circle.

Dizziness

As anxious depression is often caused by imbalances in brain substances, dizziness is a frequent symptom. The feeling of dizziness or daze is not usually a sign of other pathologies, although if it becomes recurrent or threatens your physical integrity, it is important to consult a doctor.

Aggressiveness

It usually happens that, because of anxiety or depression, people become aggressive with close beings. On the one hand, this could be an unconscious way of drawing attention to help. On the other hand, it could be with the intention of breaking ties with friends and not having to take care of the relationship more, in order to eliminate the stress that this entails.

Self-Injury

Many times, as a way to channel their feelings, the person with anxious depression will choose to self-harm. Recurrent self-injury, such as cuts in the wrist, abuse of harmful drugs or eating disorders, is a way to control anxiety.

On other occasions, self-harm also works as a way to release feelings of hatred or frustration, both with oneself and with others.

Causes and Treatments for Anxious Depression

As is often the case with psychological disorders, anxious depression does not have a definite cause. However, it can be related to many factors, such as issues of brain substances, mourning for the death of close relatives, unemployment, financial difficulties, problems of self-esteem or a host of similar situations.

An effective treatment for this psychological condition should be a multidisciplinary treatment. On the one hand, a psychiatrist, a neurologist or a neuropsychologist should prescribe medication in order to return to normal the possible deficiencies of cerebral neurotransmitters, if any.

On the other hand, if the cause of the anxious depression is not known, the patient should also do a psychological therapy, in order to know what are the underlying causes of those feelings. If the root of the situation is not known, it is difficult to treat it effectively.