Anxiety & Depression

Anxiety and depression are common experiences among people in the United States, for which there are many available treatment options. 

When you or someone you know is experiencing anxiety and depression, life can become increasingly difficult. Anxiety and depression can coexist or may be something experienced at different stages of life. It is important to know that you are not alone, and there is a lot that can be done to help you on your journey, help you recover, and help you regain control of your life. 

The best place to start is to learn about anxiety and depression, so you can better identify what you are experiencing, and what help and options are available to you. Many people have successfully treated their anxiety and depression and can live full, happy lives. 

Anxiety vs. Depression

Everyone’s experience in life is different, and the same goes for mental health. Anxiety and depression are two separate mental health conditions that manifest in people in different ways. There is a range of definitions from professionals that can be used to help you identify with anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions. Identifying the differences between anxiety and depression, how they interact with each other, how they show up in your life, and how they impact you, can be a great first step on your journey to recovery. 

Anxiety

It has been reported that approximately 31.1% of U.S. adults will experience anxiety in their lives. 

Anxiety is a normal human function, one that is biological. Anxiety is a mental and physiological experience that alerts you to danger and prepares you to protect yourself. In the hunter-gatherer days, this would be an alert for predators. In modern society, this may show up as a reaction to major life events, trying something new, or making a big decision. Anxiety is more than just nervousness, and instead, involves feelings of fear and worry. The feelings of anxiety should be in short bursts. However, this is not the case for many people who live with excessive fear and worry, ultimately impacting their day-to-day life and quality of life. 

Anxiety comes in many forms, such as generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, phobias, social anxiety disorder, separation disorder, and many more. Common signs and symptoms of anxiety can be both physical and mental, ranging from mild to severe. Some of these may include:

• Worries and intrusive thoughts 
• Feelings of breathlessness
• Chest pains
• Feeling dizzy
• Sweating 

Anxiety can be caused by several different reasons. For example, you may have a predisposition to anxiety if it runs in your family, or you live in an environment that is particularly anxiety-provoking or related to individual psychological development. It can also be caused by fearful, stressful, or traumatic events that have happened. There is no one specific cause for anxiety that can underpin the prevalence in an individual. 

Depression 

Major depression is something that approximately 21 million adults in the U.S. have had at least one episode of. Depression is when a person experiences a severely low mood and sadness, along with disinterest and displeasure in normal daily activities and hobbies. They may also experience a lack of energy, poor sleep, loss of appetite, inability to concentrate or focus, and low self-worth. People who experience depression will feel very hopeless about life, have no motivation to do anything, find it difficult to make decisions, and be intolerant towards others. Some people may experience thoughts of harm or suicide. Physical symptoms of depression may look or feel like unexplained pains, low sex drive, weight changes, speaking or moving slowly, constipation, and more. 

Depression is an extremely complex mental health disorder that can look different to everyone. Like many disorders, it can also be hidden well by the individual, especially if they feel like a burden to others or lack self-worth. There is no strict cause for depression and will be different for everyone. In some cases, depression may be brought on by an upsetting event such as illness or bereavement or can be triggered by things like money worries. 

In all cases of mental health disorders, there is not always an easily identifiable cause, and often, symptoms can overlap. 

What It Often Looks Like Together

Anxiety and depression, while they are two different disorders—one of which makes your body and mind more alert and the other feeling hopeless—continue to coexist in people all around the world. It is possible to struggle with both anxiety and depression at the same time. Sometimes, the weight of them both can drag you down, leaving you feeling overwhelmed, drained, and exhausted. 

Anxiety and depression share some similarities. They can both cause irritability, physical feelings in the body, loss of energy and concentration, and difficulty sleeping. Rumination is commonly experienced by people with anxiety and depression, compounding on one another when you struggle with both. Anxiety and depression together can often look and feel like a vicious cycle of panic and low moods. Having both conditions can make life miserable, and make it difficult to function and do anything that you may have enjoyed in the past. 

It can be extremely difficult for anyone to manage, let alone lead a happy and fulfilling life. If you or someone you know experiences both depression and anxiety, you must seek support and help, and find the most appropriate mental health treatment. 

Treatment Options

Having anxiety and depression is more than just feeling worried or sad. It can be debilitating when you experience them both for a long period. 

When you are struggling with anxiety and depression, life can feel like a whirlwind. It is important to know that you are not alone, and that there are many treatment options available to you. Many people have sought treatment and experienced successful outcomes, and you don’t need to be the exception. The most common treatments for depression and anxiety include:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy
• Medication 
• Stress management 

Don’t struggle alone. Contact us today to learn more about anxiety and depression, and how we can support you on your journey.