Differences Between Anxiety and Depression
Everyone has their ups and downs from time to time. You may feel sad, disappointed, or angry about something. These feelings are normal and usually don’t last long. When your negative feelings last for a long time and keep coming back, though, you may be dealing with an anxiety disorder or depression. Anxiety and depression are two separate conditions with similar symptoms. Both of these mental illnesses can cause you to feel worried, afraid, sad, or stressed out more than usual – but how can you tell the difference?:
Knowing the Difference Can Help
If you’ve been diagnosed with anxiety or depression, it’s important to know what you’re dealing with so that you can seek treatment. It’s also significant to know the difference between the two conditions so that you can make informed decisions about treatment options and understand how each condition may affect your life. Anxiety and depression often occur together, but they can also occur on their own.
Depression
The symptoms of depression are much more severe than the symptoms of anxiety. People with anxiety disorders worry more than normal and have difficulty controlling those worries. They may have trouble sleeping and may find themselves experiencing more muscle tension than usual. People with depression don’t just feel sad more often than usual. They also suffer from symptoms like extreme fatigue, trouble concentrating, and changes in appetite. Depression is a serious medical condition that requires treatment.
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders are a common type of mental illness. They are characterized by feelings of anxiety that are out of proportion to the situation. They may occur any time, day or night, and last for a long time. They can be paralyzing and keep you from living your life the way you want to. Some of the most common anxiety disorders are generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. You may also experience symptoms of anxiety if you have post-traumatic stress disorder or a depressive disorder.
Other Causes of Depression and Anxiety
There are many causes of anxiety and depression. Traumatic experiences, genetic factors, neurological disorders, substance use, medical conditions, and hormonal changes may cause one or both of these conditions. Some people are more likely to experience depression and anxiety than others. If you’ve been diagnosed with depression or anxiety, you may want to explore some of these causes to understand and manage your condition better.
Treating Anxiety and Depression
If you’ve been diagnosed with depression or anxiety, there are treatment options available. It can be helpful to work with a mental health professional to create a treatment plan that’s right for you. Treatment for depression and anxiety may include medication, therapy, or a combination of both. The goal of treatment is to reduce symptoms and give you the support you need to function in your daily life. It’s important to remember that these conditions are treatable. You don’t have to let them rule your life.
Both of these mental illnesses can cause you to feel worried, afraid, sad, or stressed out more than usual. The difference between these two conditions is that depression is more severe than anxiety, with symptoms like fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and changes in appetite. Anxiety disorders are characterized by feelings of anxiety that are out of proportion to the situation. Treatment options are available for both depression and anxiety.
This article is written by a therapist from Sensera – a self-help app that provides daily CBT audio sessions and exercises. The app helps people deal with a variety of mental issues (anxiety, low self-esteem, relationship problems). Download Sensera now to become happier!
