Depression Vs. Anxiety

By Lauren Walters 

Introduction

What Is depression? What is anxiety? What differentiates depression from anxiety? You may be wondering the answers to all of these questions. This article will explore the answers to all of these questions. Continue reading this article to learn more. This article will explore the symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as the factors that distinguish depression from anxiety.

What Is Depression?

According to Adaa, symptoms associated with depression, particularly a major depressive episode may include the following:

• Persistent sad, anxious or “empty” mood
• Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
• Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities
• Decreased energy, fatigue, feeling “slowed down”
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
• Insomnia, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
• Low appetite and weight loss or overeating and weight gain
• Thoughts of death or suicide, suicide attempts
• Restlessness, irritability

With that said, depression can occur in many different forms and can impact an individual on a mental and physical level, to be specific.

What Is Anxiety?

According to Nimh symptoms associated with anxiety, particularly generalized anxiety disorder may include the following:

• Restlessness or feeling wound-up or on edge
• Being easily fatigued
• Difficulty concentrating or having their minds go blank
• Irritability
• Muscle tension
• Difficulty controlling the worry
• Sleep problems (difficulty falling or staying asleep or restless, unsatisfying sleep)

With that said, the symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder can affect an individual on a mental and physical level, like the symptoms associated with a major depressive episode.

How Are Depression And Anxiety Different?

Yes, depression and anxiety impact an individual on a mental and physical level and are similar in this way. However despite the similarity between depression and anxiety, there are differences between depression and anxiety, as well. According to Livingwithanxiety, the following has been stated about the differences between depression and anxiety:

People suffering from depression are overwhelmed by feelings of hopelessness and sadness, and often have a lack of energy and loss of motivation. Depressed people tend to lose interest in activities they once enjoyed, including social situations, and they may have thoughts of self-harm or suicide.

People with an anxiety disorder are preoccupied with feelings fear and apprehension that are out of proportion to the actual situation, and often have accompanying physical symptoms like heart palpitations, nausea, shortness of breath, and hot or cold flashes. As with depression, people suffering from anxiety may avoid social situations; however, this is usually because those situations provoke anxious feelings, not because of a lack of interest.

In other words, people with depression lose interest in activities and feel hopeless, while people with anxiety experience feelings of fear and apprehension.

Conclusion

Even though depression and anxiety both occur on a mental and physical level, depression and anxiety are two different types of disorders. If you experience any symptoms associated with depression or anxiety, do not self-medicate or self-diagnose yourself. Consult with a doctor.

source: blogs.psychcentral.com