How Do You Know if You Have Anxiety or Depression?
It can be difficult to determine whether or not you or your loved one has depression or anxiety as they do share some symptoms. And because of that, it’s not uncommon to have both depression and anxiety at the same time.
This is why it’s very important to seek out a mental health profession at an anxiety and depression treatment center to make a full diagnosis.
Some common symptoms shared by depression and anxiety include:
- Concentration problems
- Eating changes
- Sleeping problems
- Unexplained aches and pains
Depression and anxiety also share some causes, including:
- Brain chemistry prone to depression or anxiety
- Chronic illness
- Genetics or family history
- Trauma caused by past traumatic events and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
What Is Depression?
Major depression, also known as clinical depression, is a mood disorder where a person constantly feels sad, hopeless, and has no interest in activities and hobbies they once enjoyed.
While everyone may feel depressed at some point in their lives, that period of depression normally lasts for a short time. With clinical depression, the feeling of sadness and despair occurs almost every day and lasts for weeks, causing it to start interfering with your daily life.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, clinical depression or major depression is one of the most common mental disorders affecting people in the United States. In 2021 an estimated 21 million adults aged 18 or older reported to have had at least one major depressive episode in the past year in the U.S.—which is about 8.3% of all U.S. adults. However, 39% of those adults have not received any sort of treatment for their depression.
Symptoms of depression include:
- Irritability
- Difficulty concentrating
- Persistent sadness, empty and anxious mood
- The feeling of guilt and helplessness
- No interest in activities
- Decreased energy
- Weight changes
- Thoughts of suicide or death
- Difficulty sleeping or oversleeping
- Aches and pains, headaches, cramps, and digestive problems
The above symptoms of depression can also vary depending on age, gender, culture, and other environmental factors. Some people with depression may experience more symptoms than others.
It’s also important to take note that the severity and frequency of the symptoms of depression will vary depending on the person and their illness. Severe depression can even result in a hospital stay when the person is at risk of harming themselves or others.
What Is Anxiety?
Anxiety disorders are divided into three main categories: anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive and related disorders, and trauma and stressor-related disorders. The psychological and physical symptoms of these disorders can worsen over time and never fully go away even after the passing of a stressful situation.
Though most people experience anxiety as a normal reaction to a stressful situation, having an anxiety disorder is when the feeling of worrying and fear is persistent and interfering with day-to-day activities.
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America reports that about 40 million adults over the age of 18 suffer from some form of anxiety, which is about 19% of the U.S. adult population. Although anxiety disorders are treatable, only about 28% ever receive any treatment.
Symptoms of an anxiety disorder include:
- Antsy or having difficulty sitting or staying in one place
- Constant muscle tension
- Difficulty falling asleep/staying asleep, sleep paralysis, sleep apnea
- Easily fatigued
- Excessive worry
- Headaches, stomach aches
- Increased heartbeat
- Inordinant sweating
- Irritability or quick to anger
- Shaky hands
If the above symptoms disrupt or inhibit your ability to function or complete day-to-day tasks, you could be suffering from an anxiety disorder.
Visit us at our anxiety trauma and depression treatment center in Utah to talk about symptoms you are experiencing and to complete a thorough mental health evaluation.
What’s the Difference Between Anxiety and Depression?
Although depression and anxiety share some symptoms, there are some notable differences.
In general, anxiety is all about a constant feeling of worrying, making you extremely nervous and restless at all times.
Depression has the opposite effect. A person with clinical depression has trouble finding any happiness in their life, is always pessimistic, and feels like there’s no point in doing anything.
Can Anxiety Lead to Depression, or Vice Versa?
Yes, many times depression and anxiety go hand in hand. When a person has both depression and anxiety, this is known as a dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorders. In order to improve in one area, you have to be treated for both conditions at the same time, which requires care through an anxiety and depression treatment center.
Anxiety can lead to depression by making you feel:
- Constant self criticism, making you feel worthless or hopeless
- Exhausted from constantly worrying feeling like you can’t settle down, and sleeping problems
- Feeling like you’re unable to enjoy hobbies and fun things
- Isolation from others
Depression can lead to depression when you experience:
- Constant exhaustion that can take a toll on the body and its ability to function
- Feeling useless or empty can cause anxiety about being successful with tasks and projects
- Inability to concentrate, making you feel anxious at work and school
- Avoidance of people and problems forming connections, which can lead to worry about the state of relationships
How to Support Someone With Depression and Anxiety
Seeing your loved one suffer from their depression and anxiety can hurt, and it can be incredibly difficult for them to reach out for help. They don’t want to be a burden or a nuisance to anyone else, especially someone they are close to. The most important thing you can do for your loved one is to be an advocate for them.
Offer to help in any way you can, and let them know you will be there for them for whatever they need. Listen to them when they open up to you, and don’t seek to educate or lecture them when they need someone who will listen. If they decline inpatient treatment for anxiety and depression, don’t force it on them; tell them the option will always be available to them when they are ready.
What Is the Best Treatment for Anxiety and Depression?
Outpatient and inpatient depression treatment normally both consists of cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, psychodynamic therapy, or a blended approach.
If you’re struggling with depression, anxiety, or both, contact The Phoenix Recovery Center to learn more about our mental health treatment options and schedule an evaluation.
What Medication Is Best for Depression and Anxiety?
There are several medications available today that can help treat co-occurring anxiety and depression.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) help treat both depression and anxiety by increasing the amount of serotonin, or “feel good” hormone, in the brain. Some common types of SSRIs include Prozac, Zoloft, and Paxil.
Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) also help improve serotonin levels in the brain, but these drugs do that by making it difficult for brain cells to absorb serotonin, keeping it in your system longer. Some common types of SNRIs include Cymbalta, Pristiq, and Effexor XR.
At TPRC, clients have access to an on-staff psychiatrist 24/7, which can help them get the prescription medication they need and answer any questions they may have during treatment.
