Anxiety and Depression Together: Why They Co-Occur and How CBT Treats Both

Why do anxiety and depression so often occur together?

Mixed anxiety and depression is the most common mental health condition in England, affecting approximately 7.8% of adults (NHS Digital APMS 2023/24). Anxiety and depression co-occur so frequently that they are sometimes described as two expressions of the same underlying vulnerability. NICE recommends CBT as a first-line psychological treatment for both. A transdiagnostic CBT approach addresses the shared maintaining mechanisms — avoidance, negative appraisals, and withdrawal — while also targeting the specific features of each condition. At The Lyceum Clinic in Chiswick, West London, Sanah Younis provides BABCP-accredited CBT for anxiety, depression, and their comorbid presentation. No GP referral is required.