Depression vs. Anxiety – Understanding the Differences

Author:

Emma Loker

B.S

Editor:

Ashley Pena

LCSW

Do you feel constantly overwhelmed with worries? Or perhaps it’s that sadness that won’t seem to go away? If so, you’re not alone. Millions of people every year grapple with anxiety or depression, and nearly half of people diagnosed with depression also have anxiety.¹ But what exactly are the differences between the two?

Although anxiety and depression can seem similar in some ways they are completely unique conditions, each with their own specific symptoms and treatments. In this article, we’ll look at:

The main differences and similarities between anxiety and depression
Anxiety and depression symptoms
Whether you can experience both anxiety and depression at the same time
Ways of treating anxiety and depression.

By the end, you should have a clearer idea of how the two differ and how you can begin healing from them. Let’s dive straight in.

What Is the Main Difference Between Anxiety and Depression?

Although anxiety and depression both affect your mental health, they are very different mental health conditions. Let’s look at the difference between depression and anxiety next:

What Is Depression?

Everyone has the occasional bad day when they feel a bit down, but depression is more than that. It’s a sadness that won’t shift, a long-lasting low mood, and complete disinterest in doing things. You might feel hopeless, lacking any motivation or energy to do anything, driven to despair, or emotionally numb.^2,3 It affects your ability to do the normal everyday things you usually do, like showering, making meals, and being able to work.^4,5

What Is Anxiety?

Anxiety is a normal part of life when it’s working as it should – it’s what protects us from harm and keeps us safe, as it notifies us of potential danger. However, when anxiety becomes uncontrollable and overwhelming, it can be a big problem.⁴

If you have an anxiety disorder, some of these might ring true with you: feeling on edge, nervous, fearful, panicky, overwhelmed, and worrying that feels never-ending and difficult to control.^2,3,6 It isn’t the occasional worry about one-off problems such as money or a specific work deadline. The fear and anxiety don’t go away – they invade many different situations and get worse with time.7 Anxiety can affect your job, your relationships, and your daily activities. You might stop going out and start avoiding the things that make you feel more anxious.⁸

Key Similarities Between Anxiety and Depression

Both anxiety and depression can severely affect your mood. As both conditions can be treated in similar ways, it is thought that they affect similar areas of the brain. You can experience some similar emotional symptoms with each, such as irritability, sleep problems, concentration issues, feeling fidgety, fatigue, and tiredness.⁹ There are also some similar physical symptoms between the two, including tummy troubles, appetite, and weight changes.²

Whether you live with anxiety or depression, both can severely affect your ability to do your everyday tasks and live your life. Whether it’s through lack of energy, motivation, or avoiding things that trigger fear, you might start to withdraw from things you used to enjoy doing and slowly cut yourself off from the rest of the world.

How to Identify Depression and Anxiety

So, now you can tell the difference between anxiety and depression, how do you identify if you have one or the other, or perhaps both? Check out the lists below for some of the most common anxiety and depression symptoms and signs.

Signs of Depression

Although symptoms can vary between people, some of the most common symptoms of depression include:^6,10

Often feeling sad
No interest in doing hobbies or things you used to enjoy
Feeling irritable or restless and fidgety
Sleep problems (falling asleep, staying asleep, waking up, sleeping too much)
Appetite changes (eating more or less than usual or having no appetite)
Stomach problems
Difficulty concentrating, remembering things, or making decisions
Feeling tired and lacking energy, even after a good sleep
Aches and pains (headaches, muscle aches, unexplained pains)
Feeling worthless, guilty, or hopeless
Thoughts of hurting yourself or not wanting to live anymore

Symptoms of Anxiety

Like depression, anxiety symptoms can differ from person to person when it comes to anxiety. We’ve listed some of the more common symptoms of anxiety here:^8,11

Feeling restless, irritable, or fidgety
Unable to control worries
Feeling on edge, tense, or nervous
Difficulty concentrating
Feeling fatigued, tired, or tearful
Aches and pains such as headaches, stomach aches, muscle aches, chest pains
Problems sleeping (unable to fall asleep, trouble staying asleep)
Sweating, nausea, diarrhea, faster heartbeat
Panic attacks
Feeling lightheaded, breathless, or dizzy
Appetite changes
Difficulty relaxing or enjoying downtime

Can You Have Anxiety and Depression?

The simple answer is: Yes, you can. It’s absolutely possible to have both anxiety and depression, and nearly half of people who have depression also have an anxiety disorder.^1,2

In fact, surveys have been carried out that show a large proportion of people with depression have at least one type of anxiety disorder at the same time, whether this is generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, or another type.¹²

Can Anxiety Lead to Depression?

We know that you can have both depression and anxiety at the same time, but can anxiety lead to depression? That might be the case. Evidence shows that some people might feel depressed or experience their depression getting worse because of their anxiety. In fact, roughly 50% of people say this to be true.^2,12-15

So we know it can happen, but why does it happen? Here’s where it can get complicated. If you have anxiety, you might naturally be avoiding certain situations that cause you to feel stressed and scared. Because of this, you can become progressively more isolated and feel more lonely, which can then lead to depression. When you try to do your normal routine and anxiety gets in the way, you might start to lose confidence in yourself and feel hopeless, contributing to feelings of depression.¹⁶

The next question is: can depression cause anxiety? The answer is: The research suggests the two are closely linked, although it can’t confirm a causal link. When considering the link between these two, think back to a time when you’ve felt depressed and become withdrawn because you don’t have any motivation or energy. When the time comes to return to your normal daily routine, things might feel confusing and stressful, resulting in worrying and anxiety.²

This is just one instance of how anxiety and depression can interlink. You may be able to think of many other occasions where it’s felt like your anxiety worsens your depression, or vice versa.

How to Treat Depression and Anxiety

There are several different options when it comes to treating anxiety and depression. NICE guidelines for anxiety and depression recommend some of the first treatments to be self-help, therapy (CBT), and medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).^17,18 Let’s take a look at some of these below.

Anxiety and Depression Therapy

Therapy for anxiety and depression is highly effective and can often bring long-lasting relief. One therapy that is particularly helpful in reducing the symptoms of depression and anxiety is cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Research consistently shows that CBT can help reduce depression and anxiety symptoms, and it is currently considered the best standard available in the area of psychotherapy.^19,20

CBT works by helping you to become aware of the thoughts you have and what you might be doing that are contributing to your symptoms and then encourages you to work to change though. There are some differences between the approach used for anxiety and depression. When treating anxiety, the goal is to help you stop avoiding the things that make you feel anxious and to tackle your fears. When used for depression, it can help you to reconnect with your positive emotions.²

Anxiety and Depression Medication

Medication can be crucial in managing and relieving depression and anxiety symptoms for many people, and there are different types available to suit your individual needs.

Antidepressants are thought to work by boosting chemicals in the brain linked to our mood and emotions, called neurotransmitters.²² They can help to improve your mood and let you feel more capable of doing things that seem challenging with anxiety and depression. They can also give you a clearer headspace and allow you to see through the mental fog you may be experiencing.

Antidepressants typically take 2-6 weeks until you start to feel the full benefit, and are generally considered safe to use due to thorough research and testing.²¹ However, all medications come with side effects which should be considered when discussing medication choices with your doctor. What’s more, some medications are approved for adults but not for teens and children, so this is worth bearing in mind.

The two most commonly recommended for depression and anxiety are listed below.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) allow you to get extra benefit from a chemical in the brain called serotonin, which helps regulate your mood. SSRIs are usually the first type of antidepressant tried with patients because they often have fewer side effects than other medications.²¹
Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) work in a way similar to SSRIs, but they also have an effect on the norepinephrine in your brain, which is a chemical and a stress hormone. It has a big impact on your fight-and-flight response and can also affect your moods. SNRIs aim to boost the positive effects of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. They can also be a good treatment choice if you experience anxiety as well as depression, due to their effect on the fight-and-flight response.²²

Self-Help Strategies

Depression and anxiety can feel overwhelming, but making some small changes to your everyday self-care can actually make a difference. Here are some ideas for you to try:

Mindfulness: Bringing mindfulness into your daily routine can really help you to find moments to be able to breathe and become aware of what’s happening in the moment.
Nutrition: Research suggests that a diet rich in fruits, veg, fish, whole grains, antioxidants, low-fat dairy, and olive oil can reduce your risk of depression and anxiety, so perhaps have a think if there are some simple swaps you could do to bring some of this good-mood food into your daily diet.^23,24
Journaling: Getting your thoughts and feelings down onto paper and out of your head can feel good and allow you to reflect.
Sleep: Getting enough sleep is important for you to have enough energy to go about your day, but we all know that it can go out the window when we feel anxious, depressed, or stressed. Trying to stick to a regular wake-up and sleep time can really help if your mind is affecting your sleep.
Exercise: Regular physical activity can have a positive impact in reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression. It also causes endorphins to be released in your body, which have mood-boosting effects and can also be a really healthy distraction from worries and negative thoughts. Whether it’s dancing, yoga, or going for a walk, moving your body can help with shifting your mindset.²⁵

Get Treatment for Anxiety and Depression Now

If you are struggling to manage your depression or anxiety, we are here to help you. At Mission Connection, we have a team of licensed, experienced mental health clinicians ready to help you on your journey to healing.

You can expect an in-depth assessment by a qualified professional, and a unique and individualized plan to help you heal. We will also be here to give you continued support as you manage your depression or anxiety.

We know that the cost of treatment for mental health care can be a worry for some people. That is why we provide a range of payment options, including insurance plans, flexible private pay, and financing plans to spread the costs over time, as well as sliding scale fees based on financial need.

Are you ready to start feeling better? Contact us today to discover how we can support you.

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