Last week, we discussed anxiety and depression symptoms in teens and young adults. While anxiety and depression are two separate conditions, many people ask the question, “Can you have anxiety and depression?” This article provides answers to the question, “Can you have anxiety and depression,” in addition to addressing which young people are the most at-risk.
Can You Have Anxiety and Depression?
Yes, it is possible to have both anxiety and depression at the same time, although depression and anxiety disorders are not the same. While they are two distinct and different issues, anxiety and depression symptoms tend to overlap: such as irritability, impaired sleep patterns, and decreased concentration. Although depression and anxiety are different conditions, they can occur together.
It is not uncommon for individuals to be diagnosed with both an anxiety disorder and clinical depression. It is possible for anxiety to occur as a symptom of clinical depression; on the other hand, it is also possible to become depressed as the result of an anxiety disorder. Some individuals who have a history of an anxiety disorder earlier in life can develop depression later in life. While many people suffer from both disorders, there is no evidence that one causes the other.
Anxiety and Depression in Teenage Girls
While anxiety and depression occur in both genders, and can appear in a variety of different age groups, teenage girls are far more at risk than teenage boys. Before they hit puberty, girls and boys are at the same risk for being diagnosed with depression or anxiety.
Once they hit the teenage years, girls are twice as likely to be diagnosed as teenage boys are; according to the Child Mind Institute, “by mid-adolescence, girls are more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with a mood disorder as boys, with the prevalence at adult levels, 14 to 20 percent.”
Conclusion
Be aware of the potential anxiety and depression symptoms, and keep in mind that this is not an uncommon occurrence in teens and young adults– especially among teenage girls. While anxiety and depression are often overlooked in teens and young adults, research shows that recognizing the signs early, and getting your child treatment early on, are the best ways to help him or her. In order to provide help for your child’s anxiety and depression, it is important to talk to a mental health or healthcare professional to speak about potential treatment options.
Download our free white paper, Depression and Anxiety in Teens and Young Adults to learn how to help someone in need.
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