Depression and anxiety are abnormal mental health states that, on the surface, seem in direct opposition to each other. But underneath, they may be inextricably related. The connection between depression and anxiety has been clinically proven. Even though anxiety is considered to be an agitated state, and depression is considered to be a low energy state, the two are closely related. So much so, that healing one typically takes into consideration the other condition. If you or a loved one is suffering from depression or anxiety, it’s worth it to understand how depression and anxiety are related.
If you or someone you love is battling a mental health condition such as depression or anxiety, getting help may seem silly or selfish. However, getting help for your mental health condition can be one of the best changes you’ll ever make. Contact Atlantic Recovery Center today at 1-866-824-5193 to learn about your treatment options.
What is Depression?
Experts define depression as an illness that negatively affects how you feel, think, and act. This definition misrepresents the severe, debilitating, and life-altering way in which depression can affect a person. Unfortunately, even the word “depression” is often misused or used in an off-handed way to describe feeling “blue” or even “bored.” However, real depression is much more insidious and should be taken very seriously. It’s usually accompanied by a very deep and abiding feeling that leads a person to question whether life is worth it.
What Are The Symptoms of Depression?
Everyone experiences depression in different ways. The symptoms of depression listed here may come on as very subtle, or they can be very intense. They include:
- Feeling overwhelmingly sad
- Inability to smile or laugh
- Lost interest in the usual pleasures in life
- Lacking a reason to get out of bed in the morning
- Insomnia
- Racing mind with thoughts of doom and gloom
- Uncalled dark images in the mind that cannot be erased
- Fatigue
- Feelings of unworthiness
- Burdensome guilt
- Suicidal thoughts
- Inability to concentrate
- Inability to make decisions
What is Anxiety?
Anxiety is characterized by being on a constant edge of urgency. Typically, feelings of anxiety are accompanied by intense fear or dread. The fear feels imminent and active; like at any moment, something awful may happen. In general, experts talk about anxiety disorders instead of straight anxiety. There are many types of anxiety disorders, including:
- Anxiety disorder
- OCD
- Trauma disorder
What Are The Symptoms of Anxiety?
The symptoms of anxiety include:
- Inability to take action
- Fear of something/everything
- Feeling restless
- Increased heart rate
- Chest pain
- Weakness
- Rapid breathing
- Sweating
- Feeling the need to escape
- Inability to concentrate
You may notice some overlaps between the symptoms of anxiety and the symptoms of depression. This is just one way the two are related, though.
How Depression and Anxiety Are Related
When a person feels anxiety, they often are unable to move forward with their life. This may be because they are afraid of what will happen, or it could be because they are afraid of what might not happen. Either way, the person will often become depressed because the anxiety has prevented them from acting.
On the other hand, when a person is battling depression, they often skip doing the things they want or need to do. Depression often leads to procrastination, which in turn leads to anxiety about not doing something that was supposed to be done. In turn, that leads back to depression and the cycle continues.
Depression and anxiety are serious conditions that require medical or psychiatric intervention. If you or a loved one is suffering from depression or anxiety, it’s very important that you seek help. Please contact Atlantic Recovery Center at 1-866-824-5193.