Anxiety With Depression in Lutz, FL: Care That Looks at the Whole Picture
Worry, tension and restlessness often travel with depression. We evaluate both and treat the depression with FDA-cleared options.
- Often Seen With:
- Major depression
- Exomind Is For:
- Adults with major depression
- Typical Course:
- 5 days a week, 4-6 weeks
- FDA Status:
- Cleared for depression, 2022
Understanding Anxiety
How Anxiety and Depression Overlap
Anxiety and depression frequently occur together. A national survey found that people with one mood or anxiety disorder very often meet criteria for another in the same year, and many adults with major depression also live with constant worry, tension, restlessness or a racing mind. Clinicians sometimes call this anxious depression.
Here is what we can and cannot offer. Exomind TMS therapy has FDA 510(k) clearance K212723 for major depressive disorder in adults whose antidepressant did not help enough in the current episode. It is not cleared to treat anxiety disorders on their own, so we do not offer it for that. When anxiety is part of a depressive episode, Dr. Anilda Ortiz, DNP, APRN, FNP-C evaluates both, treats the depression with cleared options and coordinates therapy or psychiatric care for the anxiety, for patients from Lutz, Land O' Lakes, Wesley Chapel and the greater Tampa area.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Anilda Ortiz, DNP, APRN, FNP-C. Last updated: November 2026.
The Science
Why Anxiety and Depression Often Come Together
Understanding the Link
Anxiety and depression share risk factors, including genetics, long-running stress and early life adversity, and they involve overlapping brain circuits that handle threat, reward and mood. In many people anxiety appears first and depression follows, and each can make the other harder to shift.
Anxious depression matters for treatment. In the large STAR*D study, adults whose depression came with high anxiety were less likely to reach remission with their first antidepressant than those without it. That is one reason a careful review of what you have already tried is part of the first visit.
Medical causes are checked too. An overactive thyroid, too much caffeine, some medications and hormone changes in perimenopause can all produce a racing heart, restlessness and poor sleep that feel like anxiety.
Contributing Factors
What Drives Anxiety Alongside Depression?
Identifying Your Triggers
These are the factors Dr. Ortiz looks at first, because each one changes the plan.
Ongoing Stress
Work pressure, caregiving, money worries or loss can keep the body on alert and pull mood down at the same time.
Thyroid and Hormones
An overactive thyroid and perimenopause can cause a racing heart, sweats, restlessness and broken sleep.
Caffeine and Stimulants
Energy drinks, high caffeine intake and some decongestants can mimic or worsen anxiety symptoms.
Poor Sleep
Short or broken sleep raises next-day worry and irritability and feeds a low mood.
Family History
Anxiety and depression both run in families, and having one raises the chance of the other.
Deeper Understanding
How We Evaluate Anxiety and Depression at Advanced Optimal Healthcare
Schedule a Complimentary ConsultationBoth Conditions, Measured Separately
The visit covers your history, medications and what has already been tried, with standard questionnaires for depression and for anxiety so each is measured on its own. Labs are drawn in the office when thyroid, hormones, anemia or vitamin levels may be involved.
If you have major depression that did not improve enough with antidepressant medication in this episode, Exomind TMS therapy may be recommended for the depression. It is FDA cleared for major depressive disorder, not for anxiety disorders, and we describe it that way. Your medication and therapy continue alongside it, and anxiety-focused care such as therapy or psychiatric support is coordinated separately.
If anxiety is your main concern without a depressive episode, Exomind is not the right tool, and Dr. Ortiz will talk through other options, including referral. If you are thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) or 911 now. Exomind is not an emergency treatment.
Why Us
Why Choose Advanced Optimal Healthcare for Anxiety With Depression in Lutz, FL
Expert Care in Lutz
We are plain about what each treatment is for. Depression and anxiety are measured separately, medical causes are ruled out, and Exomind is offered only within its FDA-cleared use.
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Honest About Indications
Exomind is offered for major depression only, never presented as a treatment for anxiety disorders on their own.
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Medical Causes Checked
Thyroid, hormone and vitamin labs are drawn in the office so a physical driver of anxiety is not missed.
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Coordinated Care
Therapy, psychiatric care and your current prescriber stay part of the plan, and Dr. Ortiz keeps everyone informed.
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Unhurried Visits
One patient is scheduled at a time, so there is room to talk through worry, sleep and mood in detail.
Is This You?
Signs Anxiety and Depression Need Attention
Recognizing When to Seek Help
If several of these have lasted two weeks or longer, an evaluation is the right next step.
- Low Mood With Constant Worry
- Restless and Tense
- Sleep That Will Not Settle
- Antidepressant Not Enough
- Pulling Back From Life
Treatments
Related Services
Services that support adults with anxiety and depression once the evaluation is done.
Your Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
About Anxiety, Depression and Exomind
Does Exomind treat anxiety?
Exomind is FDA cleared for major depressive disorder in adults whose antidepressant did not help enough in the current episode. It is not offered here as a treatment for anxiety disorders on their own. When anxiety comes with major depression, Exomind may be used to treat the depression, alongside separate care for the anxiety.
What is anxious depression?
It is major depression that comes with significant anxiety, such as constant worry, tension or restlessness. It is common, and research shows it can be harder to treat with a first antidepressant, which is why a careful review of past treatment matters.
Could a medical problem be causing my anxiety?
Sometimes. An overactive thyroid, high caffeine intake, some medications and hormone changes in perimenopause can all cause anxiety-like symptoms. Dr. Ortiz checks for these with a history and in-office labs before anything else is recommended.
Do I keep seeing my therapist?
Yes. Therapy is one of the most effective treatments for both anxiety and depression, and it continues alongside any treatment here. Dr. Ortiz coordinates with your therapist and prescriber.
What if anxiety is my main problem?
Then Exomind is not the right tool. Dr. Ortiz will talk through other options, review medications and arrange a referral to therapy or psychiatric care when that is the better fit.
What if I am in crisis?
If you are thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or call 911. Exomind is not an emergency treatment.
Ready to Start?
Schedule Your Anxiety With Depression Consultation
- Phone
- (813) 330-6224
- Hours
- Mon & Fri 9am - 2pmTue, Wed & Thu 9am - 6pm
Scientific References
- Kessler et al., Arch Gen Psychiatry. (2005). Prevalence, severity, and comorbidity of 12-month DSM-IV disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. PMID: 15939839.
- Kalin, Am J Psychiatry. (2020). The Critical Relationship Between Anxiety and Depression. PMID: 32354270.
- Fava et al., Am J Psychiatry. (2008). Difference in treatment outcome in outpatients with anxious versus nonanxious depression: a STAR*D report. PMID: 18172020.
- O'Reardon et al., Biol Psychiatry. (2007). Efficacy and safety of transcranial magnetic stimulation in the acute treatment of major depression: a multisite randomized controlled trial. PMID: 17573044.
- Berlim et al., Psychol Med. (2014). Response, remission and drop-out rates following high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for treating major depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized, double-blind and sham-controlled trials. PMID: 23507264.
- Rossi et al., Clin Neurophysiol. (2021). Safety and recommendations for TMS use in healthy subjects and patient populations, with updates on training, ethical and regulatory issues: Expert Guidelines. PMID: 33243615.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2022). 510(k) K212723 for the BTL-995-rTMS, cleared March 4, 2022 for major depressive disorder in adults who did not achieve satisfactory improvement from prior antidepressant medication in the current episode. FDA summary.