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Anxiety vs. Depression: Understanding the Differences

Published: March 31, 2022 Updated: November 23, 2022
Published: 03/31/2022 Updated: 11/23/2022
Headshot of Silvi Saxena, MBA, MSW, LSW, CCTP, OSW-C
Written by:

Silvi Saxena

MBA, MSW, LSW, CCTP, OSW-C
Headshot of Dr. Kristen Fuller, MD
Reviewed by:

Kristen Fuller

MD
  • What Is Anxiety?Anxiety
  • What Is Depression?Depression
  • Key Difference Between Anxiety and DepressionDifferences
  • Can You Have Both Anxiety & Depression at the Same Time?Co-Occurring
  • How Do You Treat Depression and Anxiety?Treatment
  • Outlook of Anxiety vs. DepressionOutlook
  • Final Thoughts on Depression vs. AnxietyConclusion
  • Additional ResourcesResources
Headshot of Silvi Saxena, MBA, MSW, LSW, CCTP, OSW-C
Written by:

Silvi Saxena

MBA, MSW, LSW, CCTP, OSW-C
Headshot of Dr. Kristen Fuller, MD
Reviewed by:

Kristen Fuller

MD

There are many differences between anxiety and depression, including symptoms and treatment options. While it may feel like the symptoms overlap (and they can), they ultimately stem from distinct mental health issues. It’s OK to feel how you feel, but it’s also equally important to think about where these feelings come from.

Anxiety and depression turn into mental health disorders when the signs and symptoms become so intrusive that they begin to interfere with multiple aspects of your everyday living. These signs and symptoms begin to affect your job, your relationships, and your personal thoughts on a regular basis.

Therapists can treat both anxiety and depression. Find a supportive therapist. BetterHelp has over 20,000 licensed therapists who provide convenient and affordable online therapy. BetterHelp starts at $60 per week. Complete a brief questionnaire and get matched with the right therapist for you.

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for marketing by BetterHelp

Visit BetterHelp

What Is Anxiety?

Anxiety is feeling on edge and overly cautious about what you may encounter in the future. These issues encompass a lot of worry and a set belief that something bad will happen. Sometimes, people feel anxiety after a depressive episode.

Common characteristics of anxiety can include:2

  • Worrying and considering worst-case-scenarios
  • Uncontrollable thoughts about something that may go wrong
  • Avoiding places and people that may cause a trigger or overwhelm
  • Unwanted thoughts about being harmed, feeling threatened, or anticipatory anxiety that something dangerous is going to happen
  • Physically agitated and restless

Common Causes & Triggers

Anxiety can be triggered by specific people, places, things, and situations, or anxiety can seemingly come from nowhere. A person’s genetics can play a role or their anxiety may be due to environmental influences.

Some common triggers of anxiety may include:

  • Being in groups of new people
  • Public speaking
  • Participating in a sport
  • Driving
  • Trying new experiences
  • Being in closed spaces or on tall buildings

What Is Depression?

Depression stems from low mood and feelings of sadness and hopelessness. These issues come with feelings of tiredness, focusing on the negative and thoughts of self-harm. Although it’s marked by a chronic sense of low feeling, depression can come after or during the high of an anxiety attack.

Common characteristics of depression can include:2

  • Hopelessness and feeling discouraged about the future
  • Feeling low sense of worth
  • Lacking motivation and drive due to negative beliefs
  • Having thoughts about death and viewing themself as a burden
  • Suicidal thoughts

No all depressive conditions are the same. People could have depression that involves:4

  • Psychotic symptoms that include seeing and hearing things that are not present
  • Intense symptoms caused by a pregnancy or recent birth
  • Seasonal presentation with symptoms that change depending on the time of year

Common Causes & Triggers of Depression

Just like with anxiety, depressive symptoms can stem from situational issues or from hereditary factors. Some common triggers of depression include:

  • Loss of a loved one
  • Break up of relationship
  • High stress situations like a new job, new house, or new marriage
  • Poor physical health and disability
  • Traumatic and abusive situations
  • Of course, not everyone put in these situations will note depression, but many will.

Key Difference Between Anxiety and Depression

Anxiety and depression have different symptoms. For example, anxiety often causes a state of high-alert, whereas depression causes people to feel withdrawn.

Mental Differences for Anxiety vs Depression

Although anxiety and depression may seem like very different mental health concerns, they overlap quite a bit. Because of this, it is crucial to recognize the differences between the two.

Mental symptoms of anxiety may include:

  • A state of high alert (being on edge)
  • Feelings of preoccupation
  • Nervousness
  • Intrusive thoughts
  • Avoidant tendencies

Mental symptoms of depression may include:

  • Sadness
  • Irritability
  • Withdrawal
  • Thoughts of suicide
  • Feelings of worthlessness
  • Guilt
  • Self-neglect

Physical Differences for Depression vs Anxiety

Mental differences are not the only way depression and anxiety can differ. Physical signs of anxiety and depression may also be different.(FN4)

Physical signs of anxiety may include:

  • Trembling
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Tightness in chest
  • Restlessness and feeling jittery
  • Being unable to sit still
  • Rapid and shallow breathing
  • Weight loss
  • Sweating
  • Insomnia

Physical signs of depression may include:

  • Low energy
  • Chronic fatigue
  • Changes in eating
  • Sleeping too much or too little
  • Reduced self-care and hygiene

Options For Anxiety Treatment

Talk Therapy – Get help from a licensed therapist. Betterhelp offers online therapy starting at $60 per week. Get matched With A Therapist


Virtual Psychiatry – Get help from a real doctor that takes your insurance. Talkiatry offers medication management and online visits with top-rated psychiatrists. Take the online assessment and have your first appointment within a week. Free Assessment

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for marketing by BetterHelp and Talkiatry.

Can You Have Both Anxiety & Depression at the Same Time?

Anxiety and depression can also occur together. Both conditions could present independently, or a person could have a form of depression with anxious distress.4

A person with depression and anxiety has symptoms of each condition. Signs that someone has both anxiety and depression can include:4

  • Low mood with excessive worry
  • Low energy and fatigue while feeling restless or antsy
  • A host of aches, pains, and physical discomfort
  • Extremes of sleep – either far too much or too little
  • Drastic changes in diet and physical activity

How Do You Treat Depression and Anxiety?

Therapy is the frontline treatment option for both anxiety and depression. Possible options for therapy are cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy, and psychodynamic therapy. Medication and lifestyle modifications can also improve overall wellness. Often, a blended treatment approach such as setting goals, taking medication, and participating in talk therapy is most effective.1 Always be sure to talk to your doctor before starting or changing any medications.

Talking to Your Doctor

A person should never wait too long before bringing up their mental health concerns to a doctor. A physician can assess the symptoms and offer medication as a form of treatment. Also, a doctor can recommend therapy or refer you to a specific therapist. You could also find one using an online therapist directory.

Outlook of Anxiety vs. Depression

Long-term, anxiety and depression can be managed with the right interventions and tools. Therapy alone can be very effective to teach new coping mechanisms and identify triggers to prevent an episode. Medication alone doesn’t offer a cure; however, it can be helpful in the management of both conditions, especially at the early stages of treatment. With enough time and dedication, it’s possible to have a happy, healthy life.3

Final Thoughts on Depression vs. Anxiety

If you’re dealing with anxiety and/or depression, please know that it can take time to identify where your negative symptoms are coming from. Talking to a therapist or reaching out to a trusted friend or family member can make a big difference in how you feel.

Additional Resources

Education is just the first step on our path to improved mental health and emotional wellness. To help our readers take the next step in their journey, Choosing Therapy has partnered with leaders in mental health and wellness. Choosing Therapy may be compensated for marketing by the companies mentioned below.

Talk Therapy

Online-Therapy.com – Get support and guidance from a licensed therapist. Online-Therapy.com provides 45 minutes weekly video sessions and unlimited text messaging with your therapist for only $64/week. Get Started

Virtual Psychiatry

Hims / Hers – If you’re living with anxiety or depression, finding the right medication match may make all the difference. Get FDA approved medication prescribed by your dedicated Hims / Hers Healthcare Provider and delivered right to your door. Plans start at $25 per month (first month). Get Started

Learn Mindfulness, Meditation, & Relaxation Techniques

Mindfulness.com – Change your life by practicing mindfulness. In a few minutes a day, you can start developing mindfulness and meditation skills. Free Trial

Choosing Therapy Directory

You can search for therapists by specialty, experience, insurance, or price, and location. Find a therapist today.

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for marketing by Online-Therapy.com, Hims / Hers, and Mindfulness.com

For Further Reading

  • Mental Health America
  • National Alliance on Mental Health
  • MentalHealth.gov
4 sources

Choosing Therapy strives to provide our readers with mental health content that is accurate and actionable. We have high standards for what can be cited within our articles. Acceptable sources include government agencies, universities and colleges, scholarly journals, industry and professional associations, and other high-integrity sources of mental health journalism. Learn more by reviewing our full editorial policy.

  • Choi, K. W., Kim, Y. K., & Jeon, H. J. (2020). Comorbid anxiety and depression: clinical and conceptual consideration and transdiagnostic treatment. Anxiety Disorders, 219-235.

  • Eysenck, M. W., & Fajkowska, M. (2018). Anxiety and depression: toward overlapping and distinctive features.

  • Taylor, C. T., Lyubomirsky, S., & Stein, M. B. (2017). Upregulating the positive affect system in anxiety and depression: Outcomes of a positive activity intervention. Depression and anxiety, 34(3), 267-280.

  • American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA.

update history

We regularly update the articles on ChoosingTherapy.com to ensure we continue to reflect scientific consensus on the topics we cover, to incorporate new research into our articles, and to better answer our audience’s questions. When our content undergoes a significant revision, we summarize the changes that were made and the date on which they occurred. We also record the authors and medical reviewers who contributed to previous versions of the article. Read more about our editorial policies here.

  • Originally Published: October 5, 2021
    Original Author: Silvi Saxena, MBA, MSW, LSW, CCTP, OSW-C
    Original Reviewer: Kristen Fuller, MD

  • Updated: March 31, 2022
    Author: No Change
    Reviewer: No Change
    Primary Changes: Updated for readability and clarity. Reviewed and added relevant resources. Added “Mental Differences for Anxiety vs Depression”, “Physical Differences for Depression vs Anxiety”, and “Can You Have Both Anxiety & Depression at the Same Time?”. New material written by Eric Patterson, LPC and reviewed by Dena Westphalen, PharmD.

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Headshot of Silvi Saxena, MBA, MSW, LSW, CCTP, OSW-C
Written by:

Silvi Saxena

MBA, MSW, LSW, CCTP, OSW-C
Headshot of Dr. Kristen Fuller, MD
Reviewed by:

Kristen Fuller

MD
  • What Is Anxiety?Anxiety
  • What Is Depression?Depression
  • Key Difference Between Anxiety and DepressionDifferences
  • Can You Have Both Anxiety & Depression at the Same Time?Co-Occurring
  • How Do You Treat Depression and Anxiety?Treatment
  • Outlook of Anxiety vs. DepressionOutlook
  • Final Thoughts on Depression vs. AnxietyConclusion
  • Additional ResourcesResources
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