Are Depression and Anxiety the Same?
You are feeling different than normal, but you’re not entirely sure what is going on. Perhaps you’re feeling down or you are experiencing more stress than normal. Maybe you are having a hard time being motivated and feeling more distracted recently.
Ultimately, you just know that the feelings you are having are not enjoyable. You’ve heard of people talk about depression. You’ve heard of anxiety. But what is the difference? If you have one, do you have the other?
Today I am sharing with you all about anxiety and depression.
I am going to share about the differences, as well as the similarities.
Please note: this is not a post for you to self-diagnose!
There are trained professionals (mental health therapists, clinical social workers, doctors and physicians) who can help with a diagnosis if you are wanting a diagnosis.
Rather, this blog post is meant to be informative. By the end of this post you will have better understanding of depression and anxiety - how they are similar and how they are different.
Is it true?
If you have depression, you also have anxiety or vice versa?
Nope. It’s not true! Just because you have one does not necessarily mean that you have to experience the other. Though, this is a very common misconception.
However! It is true that the two (anxiety and depression) can occur together. And often times, they do. But again - just because you have one does not mean you have to have the other.
Anxiety
There are two main types of anxiety - generalized anxiety and social anxiety. There are others, but these are the two most commonly understood and identified.
Generalized anxiety relates to worrying about “general” situations. For example, if you worry about others’ health, your own health, or worry about politics, world issues, and the worry is considered to be excessive and out of your control, there is a chance you may be experiencing generalized anxiety.
Social anxiety relates more to (you guessed it!) social situations. Often times, if you are dealing with social anxiety you are worried about what others think of you, how others perceive you, and this might keep you from going certain places or doing certain things.
To learn more specifically about anxiety, you can read more here.
Depression
Depression is more than just feeling sad. Depression is a state of feeling down for an extended period of time and can result in changes in sleep, appetite, interests, guilt, and can also play a role on energy and motivation.
Depressive episodes are common amongst other disorders as well!
Another thing to know is that depression sometimes can come and go. There may be times when you are feeling better, experiencing more happiness, and then you wake up one day and everything seems to not work out for you, and if this feeling continues, then you may experience another depressive episode.
Similarities of Depression and Anxiety
Both depression and anxiety affect mood.
Your genetics can play a role in the likelihood of having depression or anxiety… Has your father experienced depression? Does your mother have a tendency to be more anxious? If so, then it is possible that you, too, may deal with one or the other.
Both depression and anxiety can result in (and/or be exacerbated by) cognitive distortions.
If not taken care of, both depression and anxiety can hinder happiness, joy, motivation, energy, and overall positive experiences.
Both depression and anxiety tend to be somatic as well (meaning you tend to have physical responses to each!).
Each can feel debilitating to normal every day activities.
Regardless whether you have one, or the other, or both, depression and anxiety are treatable!
Differences of Depression and Anxiety
Depression is correlated with feeling down, feeling numb, feeling apathetic (aka without emotion).
Anxiety can heighten reactions (e.g. feelings of restlessness, increased energy, hypervigilance).
Depression can either be short term (minimum of 2 weeks) or long term (lifelong battle if not treated appropriately).
Anxiety tends to be a trend over an extended period of time.
Depression is also correlated with disappointment and circumstances that might be more upsetting.
Anxiety is also correlated with fear of dangerous (or potentially dangerous) situations / events.
Depression can result in isolation.
Anxiety can result in avoidance.
Regardless of which you are experiencing (anxiety, depression, or both), there is hope. Even if you feel hopeless, I want to reassure you that hope can be found again.
Please feel welcome to reach out and ask questions. Even if you aren’t ready to start therapy, know that questions are not only acceptable, but are encouraged!
All the best,
Mattracea
Anxiety does NOT have to be debilitating.
Depression does NOT have to have control of your life.
Time to take charge.
Time to gain control back.
Time to live your life the way you want to live it - not how depression and anxiety are telling you to live.