Know the Difference: 8 Ways to Distinguish Between Depression and Anxiety

Understanding Anxiety and Depression Anxiety and depression are two common mental health disorders that often occur together. Around 60% of people with anxiety will also develop depression and vice versa. With the two conditions presenting together so often, it may be hard to tell them apart. Here are some key differences between anxiety and depression. Prevalence Anxiety affects over twice as many people as depression. Approximately 7% of U.S. adults live with depression while 19% live with some form of anxiety. Anxiety is more than twice as common among children, too. Between 2016 and 2019, 4.4% of children aged 3 to 17 were diagnosed with depression, and 9.4% of children were diagnosed with anxiety. Risk Factors Many risk factors for anxiety and depression are similar. Both are thought to be caused by a combination of genes and environmental factors like stress and trauma. Both disorders are twice as common in women than men. Hormonal fluctuations may also be a risk factor for depression among some women. When They Develop Anxiety and depression tend to develop at different ages. Anxiety often shows up first — either right before or at the beginning of adolescence. Depression will frequently present a bit later, typically some time between adolescence to mid-adulthood. If someone has both anxiety and depression, symptoms of anxiety will often show up before symptoms of major depression. Symptoms Symptoms of anxiety include:

• Restlessness

• Irritability

• Difficulty concentrating

• Uncontrollable feelings of worry

Meanwhile, those with depression often experience feelings of sadness and hopelessness. Some symptoms overlap, such as fatigue, difficulty sleeping, or aches and pains without a clear cause. Feeling anxious can also be a symptom of depression, so it’s important to go a mental health professional for a formal diagnosis. Therapy Therapy is an important part of treatment for both anxiety and depression. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of talk therapy beneficial for both disorders, though your therapist may take a different approach depending on which condition you have. For those with anxiety, CBT teaches you how to challenge your patterns of thinking that trigger anxiety. For those with depression, CBT may focus more on pessimistic thought patterns that affect your mood.

Medications Medications exist to treat both anxiety and depression. They do not cure the illness, but can reduce symptoms. Medications to treat depression are called antidepressants and several varieties exist like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), and tricyclics. Antidepressants can be used to treat anxiety as well. There are also specific anti-anxiety medications, including anxiolytics and beta-blockers.

Treatments Several treatments outside of talk therapy and medications exist to manage anxiety and depression. Electroconvulsive therapy. This form of brain stimulation can be effective for those with depression who have not had relief with other treatments. Transcranial magnetic stimulation. Another form of brain stimulation, this is used to treat both anxiety and depression. Psilocybin mushrooms. Taken in a facilitated environment, this type of psychedelic treatment may help relieve symptoms of depression.

Risk for Suicide A potentially fatal symptom of anxiety and depression is feeling suicidal. The risk of suicide is different if you have anxiety, depression, or both. In one study, those with anxiety were found to have twice the risk of suicide compared to those without anxiety or depression. People with depression were 26 times more at risk. Those with both anxiety and depression were found to be 54 times more likely to end their life by suicide than someone without either illness. See your doctor if you're experiencing symptoms of either anxiety or depression.