Anxiety vs depression. Both words are often used to mean the same thing. But they are not.
When these things happen in your life, it will get harder and harder to deal with them. You might feel sad, tired, and nervous all the time, among many other bad feelings. But if you don’t figure out what the problem is, it will only get worse.
When you know the differences between depression vs anxiety, you can get the right treatment for your needs. Here, we’ll talk about the two disorders and how they are different.
Emotional Symptoms
Feelings of panic, fear, and unease are some of the emotional signs of anxiety. Anxiety can make your heart beat faster and make breathing hard, among other things.
On the other hand, depression is more about feeling hopeless and helpless. Depression and anxiety can seriously affect a person’s mental health, so it’s important to get help from a professional to get the best results.
Physical Symptoms
A key way to tell the difference between depression and anxiety is by looking at the physical signs. Physical symptoms like headaches, stomachaches, and aches and pains often accompany depression. Some physical signs of depression are changes in body temperature, loss of energy, lack of motivation, and weight gain or loss.
Anxiety can cause physical symptoms like hyperventilation and trembling. Still, they usually only last as long as the situation is stressful and go away when it’s over. Anxiety can also cause physical symptoms like a racing heart, tightness in the chest, and a feeling like you’re going to pass out.
Triggers
Many people think stress can cause depression and anxiety, which is sometimes true. Anxiety can worsen because of things that stress you out inside or outside of yourself or because of something someone said or did.
Chronic depression can also be caused by something that happened or things in the environment. Examples of these are being alone or feeling like you have too many responsibilities. But depression is often caused by thoughts and feelings from the inside, such as negative self-talk, ruminating, or feeling like there is no hope.
Treatment
Treating depression is goal-oriented while treating anxiety is more about learning new skills to deal with situations that make you feel bad. That’s why Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is used for both depression and anxiety. This therapy it helps to find and change the beliefs and thoughts that are at the root of the problem. At Natural Med Doc, we provide personalized care to help you gain control of your mental health.
Other treatments for depression, like this service, focus on learning helplessness and giving the person a sense of hope and control. Relaxation techniques and meditation can help ease the symptoms of different types of anxiety and depression. In contrast, antidepressants can help lift your mood and stop you from feeling hopeless.
Know the Difference Between Depression vs Anxiety
Overall, depression and anxiety are both widespread mental health challenges that require understanding, patience, and professional help. While depression vs anxiety share similarities, understanding their differences can help people find the best pathways to treatment and recovery.
If you or someone you love is living with depression or anxiety, don’t hesitate to seek the help of a specialist for further guidance.
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