Depression and anxiety are two of the most common mental health disorders in the United States. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), depression and anxiety affect approximately 61 million American adults (collectively) at any given time.
And while these two conditions can occur separately, they’re often comorbid. This means that people diagnosed with depression are highly likely to develop anxiety and vice versa – with the rate of comorbidity estimated to be around 50 percent.
Depression Vs. Anxiety: What’s the Difference?
Before we move to how depression and anxiety interact with each other, it’s important to understand what distinguishes one from the other.
Depression
Depression is a mood disorder that causes persistent feelings of sadness, emptiness, hopelessness, and a negative outlook on life. People with depression often have difficulty experiencing positive emotions and may find that activities that used to bring them joy no longer hold the same appeal. Depression can also cause other symptoms like fatigue, drastic changes in appetite and sleep patterns, and cognitive difficulties.
Anxiety
Anxiety, on the other hand, is a mental disorder characterized by persistent worry, nervousness, and fear that is often disproportionate to the situation at hand. People with anxiety may find it hard to relax or focus or constantly feel on edge. Physical symptoms like a racing heart, sweaty palms, and trembling are also common among people with anxiety disorders.
Depression and Anxiety – A Vicious Cycle
As we have established, depression can lead to the onset of anxiety and vice versa. And while both conditions can be extremely debilitating individually, they often feed into each other, creating a vicious cycle that can be difficult to break free from.
People with depression may start to experience anxiety as their condition worsens. The constant feelings of sadness and hopelessness can lead to worries about the future, and the negative outlook on life may cause people to fear that they’re not good enough or that things will never get better. The cognitive difficulties associated with depression can also make it challenging for people to think clearly, which can amplify the anxiety-provoking thoughts they’re already experiencing.
For people with anxiety, depression may start to set in as the condition becomes more pronounced. The constant worry and fear can lead to feelings of hopelessness and despair, and the physical symptoms of anxiety can leave people feeling exhausted and drained – both physically and emotionally. The avoidance behaviors that people with anxiety often engage in – such as skipping school/work or avoiding social situations – can also lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness, which can trigger depressive symptoms.
The Impact of Comorbid Depression and Anxiety
Comorbid depression and anxiety is been associated with a number of negative outcomes, including a significant decrease in quality of life, poor diagnosis and response to treatment, increased chronicity, and a greater risk of substance abuse and suicidal ideation.
As such, early intervention and treatment are critical for people experiencing both disorders as it helps prevent the symptoms from worsening and reduce the risk of developing more complications like substance abuse and suicidal thoughts.
The Bottom Line
Depression and anxiety are two potentially debilitating mental illnesses that often occur together, and understanding how the two interact with each other is essential for developing an effective treatment plan.
If you think you may have depression or anxiety or both, it’s advisable to seek help from a professional right away. With proper diagnosis and treatment, it’s possible to manage both conditions and improve quality of life.
