Anxiety vs Depression: Key Differences, Symptoms, and Treatment

Anxiety is a feeling of worry, fear, fatigue, restlessness, a change in appetite, etc. It is a very common problem found in human beings. You can feel various changes in your behaviours, like feeling very nervous, irritated, weakness and tiredness, sweating, etc. Loss of interest in everything, and feel guilty. There are various symptoms of depression, like extreme sadness, feeling down, etc. Sometimes it is very difficult to control and lasts for a long period of time. If you want to control it, then stop overthinking and avoid all the activities that cause anxiety and depression. Anxiety and depression symptoms start in childhood because there is no fixed age for anxiety and depression. Types of anxiety disorders are Generalised anxiety disorder, Social anxiety disorder, Panic disorder, Separation anxiety, Specific anxiety disorder, etc.

Difference between anxiety and depression

What is Anxiety and Depression?

Anxiety

Anxiety is an overthinking, feeling of nervousness, fear, Restlessness, panic attacks, sweating, weakness, tiredness, rapid breathing, and digestive problems. Anxiety is created by various activities like overthinking, facing some problems, or before making important decisions, etc. Some common symptoms of anxiety are Restlessness, Panic attacks, fatigue, feeling nervous, increased heart rate, sweating, weakness, tiredness, breathing rapidly, and digestive problems. Anxiety disorders are situations where anxiety cannot go away and gets worse over time.
There are some anxiety disorders, like

• Generalised anxiety disorder(GAD): In generalised anxiety disorder, people are worried and nervous about general things related to their job, money, family, etc. In these situations, they worry for a minimum of 6 months.

• Panic disorder: Panic attacks are instant fear and nervousness for a minute or seconds, it is created due to overthinking, fear, etc.

• Phobias disorder: Phobias mean fear of something, whether it is dangerous or non-dangerous things. Like stage fear, social anxiety, crowded places, etc.

Depression

Depression refers to a stage, a situation where a person can feel many changes in their behavior, like feeling demotivated, losing their interest in their work, feeling fatigue, hopeless, etc. depression causes various changes in daily behaviors like eating, sleeping, concentration, etc. Some common symptoms of Depression are:

• Hopelessness: In these situations, people can worry about their future, they can lose their faith in the future, & in activities.

• Loss of Interest: In these situations, people can lose interest in activities. They cannot enjoy their favourite activities like sports and their hobbies, etc.

• Frustated: In this situation, people feel frustrated & easily angry.

• Lack of Concentration: People can not concentrate on activities such as their future, career, health, and decision-making.

• Low-Energy: In this situation, people feel very fatigued and tired, even after proper sleep.

• Weight loss & gain: Depression also causes an increase or decrease in body weight.

Key Differences Between Anxiety & Depression

Anxiety is a state where a person can feel nervous, experience fear, experience excessive sweating, digestive problems, weakness, tiredness, increased heart rate, etc. These are some common anxiety versus depression physical symptoms. A person with anxiety feels fear about activities, whether it is a danger or not. Whereas in depression, a person rapidly loses their interest, they lose their hope, and feel sad. It can create negativity in people who think only negative things. In this situation, a person feels more hopeless, they can lose their interest in their favourite activities, they can feel worthless, depression can change the way of thinking of a person, like they always think negatively, etc.

When Anxiety & Depression Overlap

When an individual experiences Anxiety & Depression overlap, both at the same time, like worry & hopelessness. Anxiety is a situation where a person can feel worry, fear, fatigue, tiredness, etc. It can affect the behaviour of a person, like concentration, sleeping cycle, eating, etc., whereas in Depression, the mood of a person can change. That causes changes in feelings, thoughts, and behaviours. It causes various changes like sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in activities. Some signs of mixed symptoms, such as sometimes common symptoms overlap, like fatigue, difficulty sleeping, irritability, etc.

Differences between Causes and Risk Factors

There are various factors of risk and causes of anxiety and depression.

• Biological factors: different types of hormones that are found in our brain, which can affect the mood of a person, like dopamine, norepinephrine, etc., that can change the mind and thinking level of a person.

• Genetics: Genetics can also increase the risk of anxiety and depression because if your parents are suffering from anxiety and depression, then the chances of developing anxiety and depression are increased.

• Racism: Racism also increases the risk of anxiety and depression because when someone differentiates you based on colour, place, language, etc., it increases the risk of racism.

• Medical causes: Medical causes are those causes that are created by some disease and health-related problems like Diabetes, high blood pressure, and other causes.

• Behaviour: The Behaviour of a person also increases the risk of anxiety and depression because some people are overthinkers and sensitive in nature, so they can easily feel depressed and anxious.

Diagnosis of Anxiety and Depression

Both are different from each other, like an anxious person feels nervous and worries about the future or other things. Whereas in Depression, a person feels hopeless, sad, loses interest in activities, etc.
These are some criteria through which we can classify it.

• Emotional stage: In this stage, people who are suffering from anxiety feel worry, fear, nervousness, etc, about their future, career, etc., whereas in depression, a person can feel hopeless, sad, worthless, loss of interest in activities, etc.

• Energy level: In anxiety, generally, people feel energetic. Whereas in depression, people feel low.

• Focus: generally, in anxiety, people are focused on dangerous things, and they worry about the future and their careers. Whereas in depression, the focus is on feelings, thoughts, hopelessness, loss of interest, etc.

5 Treatment Approaches for Anxiety & Depression

There are basically different types of therapy and treatment options available for Anxiety and Depression. Here are some therapies for anxiety and depression, such as:

1. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is a talk therapy where experts can take therapy sessions. And knowing all the details about yourself, etc., they can try to change your thoughts, behaviours, beliefs, etc. Some common problems are depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

2. Medication Therapy

In Medication therapy, different types of medicines are used in the treatment. They can provide an instant and quick relief to the patient; the main objective of this treatment is to remove the disease and problem from its roots.

3. Psychotherapy

In this therapy, a psychotherapist can help in reducing mental health issues, trying to reduce stress, and a counsellor can provide treatment by communicating and knowing their experience, etc.

4. Exposure Therapy

In this therapy, a psychotherapist can create dummy situations of fear in a safe zone, which can help in improving confidence and reducing fear. It is the best therapy to reduce fear and stress.

5. Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT)

In this therapy, you and your therapist sit together and discuss your anxiety and depression. You also discuss your relationships and how they affect your moods, and focus on improving your relationships.

When to Seek Help

You cannot ignore it because it is a serious disease. Whenever you see the symptoms of anxiety and depression, like worry, fear, sadness, hopelessness, loss of interest in activities like hobbies, etc., then immediately contact the nearest psychiatrist. And if someone who hurt themselves and is trying to commit suicide, then please contact the nearest National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and call 988, they are available 24/7, or call 911 to the nearest hospital emergency department. Some warning signs of anxiety and depression are feeling nervous, increased heart rate, sweating, weakness and tiredness, breathing rapidly, and digestive problems. Etc. These are the warning signs of anxiety and depression.