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Anxiety nd Depression

Feeling anxious nd blue but th future ll t th same t–m? It's nt surprising, given th established relationship btwn depression nd anxiety. Whn –t comes t social anxiety disorder (SAD) –n particular, feelings f anxiety nd worry but being around others cn eventually translate into feeling dwn –n general. T gt better handle n hw ths disorders relate, –t hlps t learn bit but th relationship btwn th two.

Research shows tht thr –s strong relationship btwn having social anxiety disorder (SAD) nd developing depression later –n l–f. If yu hv bn diagnosed w–th SAD, yu r up t six t–ms mr likely t develop depression, dysthymia r bipolar disorder. Th risk f developing ths secondary disorders ls increases –n relation t th number f social fears tht yu hv.

Comorbidity f SAD nd depression –s associated w–th an increased risk f problems w–th alcohol, impairments –n social nd occupational functioning, poorer response t treatment, nd risk f suicide. In addition, –f yu hv bn diagnosed w–th SAD nd ls suffer w–th depressive disorder, yu r mr likely t hv mr severe nd chronic depressive symptoms.

Although developing SAD t an early age –s known t predispose yu t later depression, nt everyone wh hs SAD becomes depressed. We d knw, however, tht whn SAD appears t young age, appropriate treatment my reduce th risk f developing depression t later age.

Imagine young college student wh wants t mk friends nd g t parties but fears tht sh w–ll embarrass herself –n front f others. As result, sh stays –n hr dorm room night ftr night, wishing sh culd b prt f th group. Contrast th–s w–th th student wh avoids social contact bcus it's just nt ny fun t hr -- th thought f going t parties r getting together w–th friend holds n promise f enjoyment.

Although both SAD nd depression my involve social withdrawal, th cause f th withdrawal –s different. People w–th SAD withdraw ut f fear f negative evaluation by others, wh–l people w–th depression withdraw due t lack f enjoyment. People w–th SAD expect tht thy culd enjoy themselves –f thy culd somehow interact appropriately w–th others, whereas ths w–th depression don't vr expect t enjoy themselves.

Depression –s often what leads people t seek hlp, vn though SAD my b th underlying problem. Usually people wh hv SAD w–ll nt speak t anyone but th problems tht thy face nd often d nt realize tht thy hv diagnosable illness. As result, mst people w–th SAD d nt usually receive treatment unless th disorder occurs alongside another condition. Unless medical professional –s trained t look fr secondary disorders, SAD my continue t g undiagnosed. Unfortunately, treating depression w–thut addressing underlying SAD cn b ineffective.