How different is Depression from Anxiety?

According to data gathered by MIND(1) 8 in 100 people suffer from mixed anxiety and depression whilst 6 in a 100 suffer from generalised anxiety disorder (GAD). It is also estimated that one in four people in the UK experience a mental health problem each year. This means there's a chance you may know somebody affected by either depression or anxiety, two of the most common mental health conditions.

What is the difference between depression and anxiety?
A key difference between anxiety and depression is that one refers to a single illness, and the other to a group of conditions. Depression is really one illness. It has lots of different symptoms (see below). And it may feel very different to different people. But the term depression refers to a single condition. Anxiety is a term that can have a few different meanings. We all feel anxious sometimes and 'anxiety' can be used simply to describe that feeling. But when we use anxiety in a medical sense, it actually describes a group of conditions. Anxiety includes some less common conditions. These include phobias and panic disorders. But the most common is generalised anxiety disorder (GAD).

Main Symptoms of Depression
Having low mood and/or a loss of interest or enjoyment in most activities, for two weeks or longer. These are seen as the 'main symptoms' of depression. Other mood-related symptoms that a person with depression may experience are:

• guilt
  
• helplessness
  
• feelings of worthlessness, low self-esteem or low confidence
  
• thoughts of death or suicide
  

Main Symptoms of GAD
Generalised Anxiety Disorder has two 'main symptoms'; excessive anxiety and worry on most days for more than six months and difficulty controlling these feelings of anxiety and worry.
Further symptoms beyond these that someone may experience, such as:

• feeling on edge or restless
  
• irritability
  

With generalised anxiety disorder you may feel very worried about a range of everyday things. And there may not be one obvious logical cause for your anxiety.

What are the physical symptoms of depression and generalised anxiety disorder?

Physical Symptoms for Depression

• weight changes, often caused by changes in appetite
  
• being slower in your movements
  

Physical Symptoms for GAD

• muscle tension and aches
  
• headaches
  
• sweating
  
• dizziness
  
• bowel problems
  
• a fast heartbeat and shortness of breath
  

*Physical symptoms for both GAD and Depression*

• fatigue or tiredness
  
• poor concentration
  
• being fidgety or unable to sit still
  
• difficulty sleeping
  

Diagnosis and Treatment
All of the physical symptoms above can potentially be signs of other problems with your physical health and a health professional would need to rule out other causes before reaching a diagnosis of depression or anxiety disorder. Once diagnosis has been confirmed symptoms of both conditions usually improve with psychological counselling (psychotherapy), medications, such as antidepressants, or both. Lifestyle changes, such as improving sleep habits, increasing social support, using stress-reduction techniques or getting regular exercise, also may help. If you have either condition, avoid alcohol, smoking and recreational drugs. They can make both conditions worse and interfere with treatment.


References:
1. https://www.mind.org.uk/