Depression vs. Anxiety and How Sameday Health Can Help

Written by Leslie K. Hughes

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Monique White-Dominguez

Bouts of sadness and anxiety are normal. It is part of being human. There are times when our bodies and minds struggle. It may be due to the loss of a loved one, it may be due to the starting of a new chapter in life (such as a job), or maybe something entirely different. Anxiety can be triggered by a stressful or dangerous situation, and depression can be triggered by a sad situation. If you feel either or both of those things from time to time, it’s okay. You can usually trace them to some kind of situation. 

However, the concern comes into play when those feelings don’t disappear – when they aren’t just a blip of sadness or anxiety, but rather a lingering feeling that can go on for days, weeks, months, maybe even years. 

The terms “depression” and “anxiety” are often used in the same sentence. And it’s important to discuss that though they are often talked about together, and often occur together, they are not the same thing. However, they are the two most common mental health issues plaguing people across the globe. According to the Boston University School of Public Health, depression affects 1 in 3 adults in the United States. That’s 33% of people in the U.S. dealing with this problem. And, as stated by the American Psychological Association, between 28.2% and 372.% of adults in America reported symptoms of anxiety between April 2020 and August 2021. 

The global pandemic has a lot to do with those high numbers. Circumstances in everyone’s life changed unexpectedly and much of life became out of our control. COVID has been a time in which people have been pushed to the limits of what they can handle, and many have either developed anxiety and/or depression, or seen their mental health struggles increase. 

One of the key ways to help with these mental health issues is to understand the difference between the two. With this knowledge, you can work towards feeling better or helping someone else to work through these mental health problems. 

Depression

As mentioned above, there is a time in everyone’s life when they feel depressed at some point. Something bad or sad happens, and it leaves you feeling down. 

However, when those feelings of sadness persist and last for more than two weeks, then it’s considered more than just sadness – it is considered depression. 

The signs of depression include:

• Weight loss or weight gain that’s unrelated to diet

• Lack of sleep

• Excess sleep

• Inability to concentrate

• Inability to make decisions

• Lack of interest in activities

• Lack of energy

• Slowed down speech

• Hopelessness

• Worthlessness

• Thoughts about death*

If you’ve experienced a few of these symptoms for a period of two weeks or more, then you are suffering from major depressive disorder. And if you find that you go through major swings of feeling very depressed and then extremely elated, then you may be suffering from bipolar disorder.

Anxiety

A bit of anxiousness here and there is normal. It’s a normal human response to stress. 

But, if you find yourself in a regular state of that fear and worry that applies to all areas of your life, then you may have anxiety. 

Here are the telltale signs of anxiety:

• Irritability

• Inability to concentrate

• Nonstop worry

• Lack of sleep

• Gastrointestinal issues

• Increase in heart rate

• Worry about the immediate

• Worry about the future

• Obsessive thoughts about a situation

• Desire to escape a situation

• Thoughts of death*

If these symptoms seem to be a regular occurrence for you over a period of a few months, and you find that they are negatively affecting your life, then you are suffering from anxiety disorder. 

The Relationship Between Depression and Anxiety

As you can see from above, some symptoms exist for both depression and anxiety including issues with sleep, thoughts of death, and an inability to concentrate. 

Depression and anxiety can occur one after the other or they can exist at the same time. 

How is that possible?

Because both mental illnesses involve the same neurotransmitters – serotonin, dopamine, and epinephrine. On a biological level, they are very similar in the sense that someone with depression and someone with anxiety both undergo shifts in their neurotransmitter function. 

However, the experience of anxiety versus the experience of depression is very different. They are in the same family of mental illness but are more like cousins than siblings. 

How to Treat Depression and Anxiety

The treatment of these mental issues depends on the severity of them.

If you are someone who has bouts of these feelings but you are still able to function in life, then your depression or anxiety is not debilitating. That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t attempt to rid of these occasional feelings, however. 

Many people find that meditation, journaling, and exercise are great ways to alleviate low-level, temporary feelings of depression and anxiety.

However, if you are suffering from major depressive disorder or anxiety disorder and your feelings are fairly regular and normal life is difficult, then you will need to explore other options to help.

One of the best routes to take if you’re depressed or anxious is therapy. There is a wide range of therapies that work to combat these mental illnesses and oftentimes it’s a personal preference that determines what will work best for you. 

Meeting with a professional, licensed therapist will help get to the root cause of your depression or anxiety and will provide you with the best treatment plan to help you get back to a happy and healthy place. 

If you feel that depression or anxiety is affecting your life, meet with a virtual Sameday Health therapist today to get help.

*If you or a loved one is having thoughts of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline immediately at 800.273.8255