Millions of people are sufferers of panic attacks and GAD - Generalized Anxiety Disorder.  Many individuals with an anxiety disorder also suffer from chronic depression.

Since there are numerous similarities between an anxiety attack and serious problems like asthma and heart conditions, many people who have GAD also are severely depressed.

Many people are surprised when their diagnosis of GAD also includes a condition of depression.   The reason that this happens is that there is a close correlation about panic and general health.  If someone is already stressed about other things in their life to begin with, the addition of concerns about GAD can exacerbate their condition into one of severe depression.  Because the awareness of a panic is extreme and instantly obvious it tends to push the recognition of symptoms of depression clear off the table - leaving many patients without depression diagnosis for extended periods of time.

If you are suffering from both GAD and depression you may find that the two interact negatively to the point that they self-propel their existence until help is sought.  If this is true in your case don’t wait or opt for a self-help solution to your problems.   Seek qualified medical and psychological help as soon as possible.  There may well be permanent damage to your emotional well being if your condition is not properly treated.

Those who suffer from depression are often quiet sufferers as opposed to those with GAD - wherein the symptoms are immediate and extreme - while those of depression - boredom, sadness, etc. - may take a back seat to the anxiety to the point where the individual almost forgets about the depression.  The problem with this situation is that the two conditions interact and compound themselves into a serious condition where you are almost a clinical case.  The knowledge of this condition is widely understood now by most physicians and all therapists.  Chances of going undiagnosed as a dual-sufferer are now pretty rare.

Doctors have been finding that having both GAD and depression is not at all rare. What is indicated here is the use of antidepressants, especially those in the SSRI category, that are very effective in treating depression while treating somewhat the condition of GAD.  If you know that you are suffering from GAD and you think you may also be depressed - take action immediately.  Finding a qualified physician especially with regard to prescription drug solutions is imperative.