A lot of people do not know the difference between mental health conditions. Anxiety and depression are two of the most common mental disorders. Still, people fail to recognize the symptoms or cannot tell the difference between them. To define them simply, depression is characterized by prolonged periods of sadness with accompanying symptoms that affect a person emotionally and physically. Meanwhile, anxiety is classified as constant worry and fear that takes a toll on a person’s life and relationships.
A person may experience both conditions at the same time, affecting a person’s daily life activities, making it hard to understand which condition they have; hence it is but it is important to distinguish them. A psychiatrist can help you diagnose and treat symptoms of both anxiety and depression.
SIMILARITIES BETWEEN ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION
Several overlapping symptoms include:
- Difficulty with concentration or brain fog
- Trouble sleeping and irritability
- Persistent feelings of anxiety can lead to depression, especially if left unprocessed.
- Symptoms of depression can also lead to anxiety, invoking worry and fear in an individual.
However, anxiety and depression are classified as two separate mental health disorders.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION?
Anxiety and depression are two of the most widely known mental health disorders that affect people of all ages and genders. Both have distinct outlooks, symptoms, and treatments; however, they may differ from an individual to another.
Anxiety Disorders
Multiple types of anxiety disorders generally stem from uncontrolled worry or fear. Below are some types of anxiety disorders:
-
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
-
Social anxiety disorder
-
Separation anxiety disorder
-
Panic disorder
-
Specific Phobias
-
Agoraphobia
-
Substance-induced anxiety disorder
-
Anxiety due to another medical condition
Depressive Disorders
Depression is classified as a type of mood disorder where a person may experience long periods of sadness or a low mood. There are different types of depression, including:
-
Major Depressive Disorder
-
Major Depressive Disorder with atypical onset or atypical depression
-
Major Depressive Disorder with Postpartum Onset
-
Major Depressive Disorder with Seasonal Pattern
-
Major Depressive Disorder with Psychosis or Psychotic Depression
-
Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)
If you have symptoms of any of the disorders above, then it is best to book an appointment with an experienced psychiatrist to help you identify which disorder you have.