Differences between Depression and Anxiety

Before we get into the differences between depression and anxiety lets clear a couple things up. Firstly, experiencing feelings of anxiety and depression are completely healthy normal emotions. Secondly, it’s normal to feel anxious about public speaking or job interviews. Lastly, it is normal to feel depressed after losing a loved one.

And just because you feel anxious or depressed does not necessarily mean that you have an anxiety or depressive disorder. However, if you have feelings of anxiety or depression lasting weeks at a time and it affects your daily life. It is probably a good idea to seek some kind of help and support at that point.

What is depression?

There are many types of depression; some have mild symptoms whereas others severe like having suicidal thoughts. Although a common illness, depression is also one of the most treatable. 80%-90% respond well to treatment.

Typically depression is due to a number of events and factors overtime.

• Biochemistry
• Inherited or genetic genes
• Personality types
• Environmental factors

Depression disorders are characterised by having feelings of depression for more than or at least two weeks.

Although depression is a serious mental illness it is also a treatable condition. It is important to talk to a professional if you have concerns rather than ask “Dr. Google” for a diagnosis.

There are some medical conditions that show similar symptoms as depression too, like Thyroid issues. Also studies have shown a connection between depression and genetics – if you have certain genes you may be pre-disposed to depression, (same goes with anxiety).

Depression Symptoms

Depressive disorders are characterized by having feelings of depression for more than or at least two weeks. Feelings of depression can include:

• Feeling of hopelessness
• Feelings of guilt
• Experiencing extreme sadness
• Lack of motivation or interest
• Weight changes
• Lack of appetite
• Sleep changes
• Thoughts of suicide
• Not being able to enjoy things that you once enjoyed.

What is anxiety?

Anxiety has 5 major types of disorders: Generalised, OCD, Panic, PTSD, and Social Anxiety (SAD). Anxiety is natural and normal and its purpose is to keep us safe. It only becomes a problem if it interferes with our normal daily life or stops us from doing rationally accepted things.

Anxiety Symptoms

• Agitation or irritability
• Extreme worry
• Difficult to concentrate
• Panic attack
• Disrupted sleep
• Overthinking

Differences between depression and anxiety

Although anxiety and depression have similarities they are experienced differently. They can occur as a reaction to the other or appear side by side.

Anxiety Markers and signs

• Excessive worry
• Racing thoughts
• Fear of situations
• Racing heart rate
• Hot and cold flushes
• Shortness of breath

Depression Markers and signs

• Feeling of hopelessness
• Feel worthless
• Negative assumptions
• Thinking about death
• Lack energy
• Loss of appetite
• Disrupted sleep

Although there are likenesses, the differences between depression and anxiety are really around how each is experienced. Anxiety are said to be more of an intense experience whereas depression is said to be more of a lowering of the mood for long periods.