What’s the Difference Between Anxiety and Depression?

Anxiety and depression are the two most common mental disorders in the U.S. Let’s explore the effects of anxiety and depression, as well as their causes, symptoms and treatment methods.

Despite the two conditions often overlapping, the effects of anxiety and depression are quite different. Let’s explore the causes and symptoms of the two most common mental health disorders in America, as well as the many forms of effective treatment available.

To learn the differences between anxiety and depression, we’ll compare the characteristics of each.

What is Depression?

Depression is a brain disorder that leads to ongoing episodes of sadness. About 15 million Americans experience clinical depression, which is more than 7% of the population. It’s more serious than feeling down for a day or two, as this chronic condition can persist for decades at a time.

Causes and Effects of Depression

Depression is technically a chemical imbalance in the brain, but we don’t know exactly what causes it. Genetics plays a significant role, though. If depression already runs in your family and you encounter certain stressors, this may trigger a depressive episode. These stressors could include:

Death
Loss of job
Isolation
Divorce
COVID-19
Stress

If you are concerned that you or a loved one may be suffering from a depressive disorder, keep an eye out for the following symptoms:

Loss of enjoyment
Decrease in appetite
Insomnia
Fatigue
Pessimism and hopelessness
Suicidal thoughts

Remember that everyone goes through bad days and tough times, so it can sometimes be difficult to distinguish everyday sadness from a true case of depression. Psychiatrists will rely heavily on your family history and personal records to form a diagnosis.

How to Treat Depression

Treatment for chronic depression comes in a variety of forms, including:

Counseling, psychotherapy and talk therapy
Medications, called antidepressants
A combination of both, which is usually most effective

We’ve come a long way in the treatment and destigmatizing of depression. Today, there are more than 30 types of antidepressants on the market, as well as various forms of therapy. This allows psychiatrists to choose the treatment method that best suits their individual patient.

How to Prevent Depression

Although sometimes it’s impossible to stop an onset of depression, there are a few things you can do on your own to lessen the symptoms and keep your brain more chemically balanced.

Maintain a healthy diet
Exercise often
Practice stress management, especially in the workplace

What Is Anxiety?

Anxiety is another brain disorder that often co-occurs with depression. Everyone feels nervous occasionally, but the effects of anxiety disorders go beyond everyday worries. The condition is categorized by a daily or weekly pattern of phobias, panic attacks and, in some cases, post-traumatic stress disorder. More than 40 million Americans suffer from some type of anxiety disorder, making it the most common mental illness in the United States.

Causes and Effects of Anxiety

Individuals with a history of isolated and repeated trauma have a higher risk of developing anxiety, especially military personnel and those who were abused as children. Like depression, certain stressors like loss, stress and big life changes — plus uncertain or high-pressure situations — can trigger anxiety attacks.

If you are concerned that you or a loved one may be suffering from an anxiety disorder, keep an eye out for the following symptoms:

Constantly feeling restless or tense
Having a sense of impending danger
Increased heart rate
Hyperventilation
Sweating
Feeling weak or tired
Trouble concentrating

Depression and anxiety are diagnosed similarly. There is a fine line between being anxious and having an anxiety disorder, and it takes thorough evaluation for psychiatrists to effectively form a diagnosis and treat it accordingly.

Anxiety Treatment

The treatment methods for anxiety disorders are almost identical to those of depression.

Medications, like antidepressants, are used to treat anxiety disorders, as well.
Psychotherapy helps patients find the root of their problems and make peace with their past.
A combination of both forms of treatment is, once again, most effective.

You can also ease your anxiety on your own by performing breathing exercises, meditating and minimizing your caffeine and alcohol intake.

Recognize the Symptoms

Now that you know what the difference between anxiety and depression is, it will be easier to recognize the warning signs in yourself and your loved ones. Remember that both diseases are quite common, and it’s likely that you or someone you know has been affected by them. However, they are treatable. You can feel confident knowing that the effects of anxiety and depression can be managed with the right therapy, medication and support.

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What’s the Difference Between Anxiety and Depression?

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