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Symptoms of Mixed Anxiety and Depressive Disorder Mixed anxiety and depressive disorders (MADD) are characterized by anxiety and depression symptoms at the same time. MADD is more than severe and difficult to treat than pure anxiety disorders or depression. The existence of MADD prompted debate about its place in the psychiatric nomenclature. Some argue that MADD should not be ruled out because it could help patients get treatment and stop the development of a syndromal disorder. Causes If you or someone you know is experiencing both anxiety and depression at the same time it's crucial to seek help. This mental disorder, also known as the acronym MADD can make it hard to cope with daily life. This disorder can cause feelings of sadness, worry, low energy, difficulty concentration, a tendency to be distracted and irritable. This disorder is treatable, and it's best to address it early on. There is no one specific reason for this disorder however, certain risk factors are more likely than others. People with an anxiety history or depressive disorders are more likely to develop this type of mood disorder. Other causes could be due to being in a stressful job or relationship or being the victim of abuse in childhood and having low self-esteem or an unbalanced sense of self-worth, exposure to traumatic events, and chronic illness. MADD is not curable, but it can be controlled by a variety of therapies. Cognitive behavioral therapy assists patients identify and challenge negative behaviors, beliefs and thoughts that contribute to their feelings of sadness and anxiety. These therapists also teach their clients to practice healthy coping strategies and techniques for reducing stress. This condition can be treated with antidepressant medications. These are usually SSRIs or SNRIs that increase serotonin levels and norepinephrine in the brain. Researchers analyzed the results of 85 patients who had met MADD criteria under the current ICD-10 system. The study found that the majority of patients diagnosed with MADD recovered within a year. The majority of the remaining patients developed syndromal depression or anxiety, or met other ICD-10 diagnoses. While there isn't a cure for MADD however, there are ways you can manage your symptoms and prevent this condition from getting worse. You can improve your mood by eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly. You can also engage in mindfulness meditation or even pray. It's also important to avoid the consumption of refined sugars and caffeine, as they can exacerbate depression and anxiety symptoms. Signs and symptoms It's not common for people to suffer from both anxiety and depression. They may be able to distinguish them in their minds, but when they are disrupting their daily lives, a combination diagnosis can help to make the most of treatments options. Mixed depression and anxiety symptoms may include fatigue feelings of desperation and sadness. Physical symptoms such as dizziness or headaches could be present. These symptoms can hinder work and school and can cause issues with relationships. The latest ICD-11 version of the International Classification of Diseases includes the category of comorbid anxiety and depression. MADD is diagnosed when a person suffers from both anxiety and depression. However neither anxiety nor depression alone is enough to meet the diagnostic threshold of anxiolytic or syndromal disorders. It's a catch-all term for those who fall into the grey zone between a anxiety disorder and depression and allows doctors to avoid making an arbitrary decision on which disorder a patient is likely to progress to based solely on cross-sectional information. Many factors can cause both anxiety and depression but the most important are a person's genetic predisposition or life events that cause stress, and medical conditions including chronic pain or the side effects of medication like antidepressants or blood pressure medications. Personality structures such as self-criticism, perfectionists, or seeing the glass as half empty also increase the risk of depression and anxiety disorder s. People with MADD can suffer from the same symptoms as those suffering from depression or anxiety alone however, these symptoms tend to be more severe and frequent. They can be disabling and difficult to treat the case where anxiety or depression is the primary diagnosis and there is a greater likelihood of suicidal behaviour. Certain of the same treatments for both anxiety and depression are effective for MADD like mindfulness meditation, exercise and diet changes. If needed medication such as antidepressants and sedatives can be prescribed based on the severity. Diagnosis Symptoms of depression and anxiety overlap and can be difficult to differentiate. Some of the symptoms are low motivation, fatigue as well as sleeplessness and irritability. Depression can also impact your eating habits and make you withdraw from social activities. Untreated depression can cause problems at work, at school and at home. It is essential to speak with a mental health professional to get treatment. The symptoms of the patient as well as their family history and recent life events are often used to diagnose depression and mixed anxiety disorder. There are a myriad of risk factors that could contribute to the development of depression and anxiety, such as genetics, past experiences and traumas as well as certain medication. Different types of psychometric testing can help a mental healthcare professional determine the severity of anxiety and depression. They can also advise on the best method of treatment for you. Psychotherapy and counselling (CBT or REBT) can be utilized to treat moderate to mild MADD. Alternative therapies, like meditation, could also be beneficial. The use of medication is often for more severe and incapacitating situations. Depression can often be helped by antidepressants, whereas anxiety can be treated with anxiolytics. These are medications that can reduce anxiety and relax them. It is worth mentioning that there are some researchers who have called for MADD to be dropped as a diagnostic category, due to the fact that it has been associated with significantly fewer remissions, and a greater risk of the development of syndromal disorders than depression or anxiety in its pure form. However, a number of studies that are based on retrospective clinical data suggest that this view is not a good one and warrants further examination. In actual fact, a long-term study of 85 patients diagnosed with MADD discovered that after a year, nearly half were cured, while the rest were classified as having syndromal anxiety or depression. It is therefore likely that the majority of those who are able to meet the MADD criteria are only mildly affected, or in the pre-clinical phase of Syndromal Affective Disorder. They do not need an MADD diagnosis. Treatment It's important to seek out assistance when depression and anxiety are present. Your therapist can teach you to accept your emotions as normal and natural, rather than fighting against them. Your therapist can also provide you with methods and techniques to ease your symptoms. This includes learning to relax and let go of your anxieties and anxieties, as well as establishing healthy coping strategies and reducing your use of stimulants like caffeine or processed foods that can make your symptoms worse. Mixed anxiety and depression disorders can be a challenge to diagnose and treat, but there are effective treatment options. Your doctor may prescribe antidepressants or benzodiazepines which are medications that can improve your mood by altering how your brain responds to specific nerve signals. You may also benefit from cognitive behavior treatment that can help you change negative thinking patterns or strategies for coping that contribute to your symptoms. It is well-documented that co-occurring depression and anxiety symptoms are quite common. In fact according to a study on mental health issues in primary care they account for a significant portion of all reported psychological disorders. However, it's a question of whether MADD should be a separate diagnostic entity within psychiatric classification systems. Some studies have indicated that it doesn't have sufficient diagnostic reliability and stability over time. It is not certain if the MADD diagnosis can be helpful in guiding patients to treatment. Numerous epidemiological and clinical studies have demonstrated that anxiety and depression have many symptoms. It is not uncommon for patients with depression and anxiety that co-occur to change their psychiatric diagnoses over time. In the DSM-5 which does not have an explicit diagnosis for MADD patients with subsyndromal anxiety and depression symptoms are classified as having a different depressive disorder (with anxious distress). Despite the ongoing debate about whether MADD is a valid diagnostic entity, there are a number reasons to believe that it has ongoing importance in improving patient outcomes and facilitating access. These include enabling patients to seek help early in order to avoid the exacerbation of symptoms and decreasing the burden on healthcare systems.