Key takeaways:
It’s possible — and pretty common — to have feelings of anxiety and depression together. For some people, these feelings can disrupt normal activities and well-being.
Anxiety and depression each have their own symptoms, but it can be harder to distinguish when they happen together.
Symptoms of anxiety can lead to symptoms of depression (and vice versa). But there may be other reasons these conditions affect the same groups of people.
Many treatments, including therapy and medications (like SSRIs), can often be helpful for both anxiety and depression.
Clinical anxiety and depression are separate conditions. But some people who experience one will also experience the other. This may be because anxiety fuels mood, and mood fuels anxiety.
So it’s not surprising that there are many similarities between the symptoms and treatments for these two conditions.
With this in mind, here’s a guide to how anxiety and depression go together. Let’s talk about the differences, overlap, and ways you can manage them together.
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Are anxiety and depression the same thing?
Currently, depression and anxiety are considered to be two distinct conditions, with different symptoms needed for diagnosis. However, researchers are trying to confirm whether depression and anxiety are facets of the same thing or if they are two completely different conditions.They share many of the same symptoms, some of the same medications treat both, and they can occur in a person at the same time. Both depression and anxiety can happen along with other mental health diagnoses (comorbid conditions).
Both anxiety and depression:
Can affect your normal activities in a significant way
Cause mental and physical symptoms
Are very common
Have a similar treatment approach
Can respond well to therapy and medications
Symptoms of anxiety and depression
Anxiety and depression each have distinct psychological (mental) and physical features. The main psychological symptom of anxiety is excessive worry. For example, this might include worrying a lot about the future or about getting hurt. People with anxiety also avoid situations that might provoke anxiety, or they may think a lot about “bad” things happening.
Anxiety can also have physical symptoms. These symptoms have to do with the human “fight-or-flight” response. For example, people with anxiety can sometimes have an upset stomach, feel dizzy, or have a fast heartbeat. They can also sometimes have trouble sleeping.
Mental symptoms of depression are feelings of hopelessness, sadness, and worthlessness. Physical symptoms of depression generally represent a shift in normal daily habits. For example, people with depression may have changes in their appetite, energy, and sleep. They can also sometimes find it difficult to concentrate on work or activities.
Depression and genetics: Did you know that “having the blues” might run in the family? Find out how genetics may increase your risk for depression.
Treatment options for anxiety: With the right approach, anxiety can be successfully managed. Here are some common treatment options.
How to save on anxiety and depression medication: There are ways to make your medications to treat anxiety and depression more affordable. Learn how to save more, here.
In both depression and anxiety, these symptoms can have a big effect on daily life.
| Depression | Anxiety | |
|---|---|---|
| Mental symptoms | Feelings of sadness, guilt, hopelessness, and personal worthlessness | Excessive worry about a variety of topics, events, or activities |
| Trouble concentrating | Trouble concentrating | |
| Reduced interest in favorite activities | Irritability or feeling edgy | |
| Thoughts about suicide or feeling that life isn’t worth living | Fears about physical wellness, death, or injury | |
| Physical symptoms | Changes in sleep | Difficulty sleeping |
| Low energy | Fatigue | |
| Slower movements | Muscle aches or stomach upset | |
| Changes in appetite | Racing heartbeat or shortness of breath |
Types of anxiety and depression treatments
If you have depression and anxiety, it’s good to have open and honest communication with your healthcare team. Knowing if you have anxiety, depression, or both, can help you and your healthcare team put together a treatment plan that’s unique to you. It should target the symptoms that bother you the most.
Treatment options might include medication or a type of therapy. Depression and anxiety may fuel each other, so it may take longer to treat their combined symptoms.
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Medications
Some medications are better for depression, while others are better for anxiety disorders. And some types of medications may be especially helpful for treating both.
First-choice medications include the antidepressants selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin and norepinephrine inhibitors (SNRIs). Many of these medications are used for both depression and different anxiety disorders. Examples include:
Citalopram (Celexa)
Escitalopram (Lexapro)
Fluoxetine (Prozac)
Fluvoxamine (Luvox)
Paroxetine (Paxil)
Sertraline (Zoloft)
Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
Venlafaxine (Effexor XR)
In some cases, a healthcare professional might also recommend another class of antidepressant, like a tricyclic or a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). They may also recommend other types of medications, like antipsychotics and benzodiazepines. These can help manage specific symptoms or help other medications work better.
New discoveries in science and medicine will also lead to new treatment options. For example, the medication esketamine (Spravato) can now be used to treat some types of depression. It has also shown promise in helping with anxiety. And since depression and anxiety may share a biological cause, it’s likely that new treatments for one may also help with the other.
Therapy
Therapy is also an essential treatment for both anxiety and depression. Many people start medication and therapy at the same time. But you can also do therapy on its own. Therapies that can be helpful for both depression and anxiety include:
Psychodynamic therapy
Mindfulness-based therapy
Individual problem-solving
Counseling
Lifestyle strategies
A mental health professional might also talk to you about lifestyle strategies, which can sometimes help with depression and anxiety. Examples include:
Eating a balanced and nutritious diet
Exercising regularly
Meditating
Practicing mindfulness
Spending time in nature
It’s also important to have strong support from friends and family members. Having a positive support network can help you in your recovery. It can make it easier to follow up with treatment. It can also help you feel empowered and less isolated.
Many people also find it helpful to work with a peer support group, either in person or online. There are many community resources, since depression and anxiety are both very common. A good place to start is the Anxiety and Depression Association of America.
How common is it to have both depression and anxiety?
Anxiety and depression are common conditions, both alone and together. In the U.S., 1 in every 3 adults will have an anxiety disorder at some point during their life. And about 1 in 5 will have depression.
Despite the differences in symptoms, when anxiety and depression happen together, they can be harder to tease apart. And they seem to happen together a lot. In a research study of over 70,000 people worldwide, close to half of people who had depression during their lifetime also had at least one anxiety disorder — often at the same time. And people diagnosed with anxiety were also very likely to get depression at some point in their life.
How to know if you have anxiety or depression — or both
It’s common to experience brief periods of worry or a depressed mood. This is normal when you have life stress, such as getting a medical diagnosis, losing your job, or moving to a new city. These feelings will often resolve on their own.
But here’s the difference: When you have clinical anxiety or depression, your symptoms go on for weeks or even months. And they’re severe enough to interfere with your day-to-day life.
Getting the right diagnosis
Like with any other health condition, a healthcare professional can help figure out if you have depression or anxiety. Based on your symptoms, they may diagnose you with major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), or one of the many other types of anxiety disorders.
Making a diagnosis of MDD or an anxiety disorder generally depends on how many symptoms you have. It also depends on how long you’ve had the symptoms, how severe your symptoms are, and how your symptoms affect your daily life.
In some cases, people can be diagnosed with both anxiety and depression. Whether it’s depression, an anxiety disorder, or both, a correct diagnosis can help you and a healthcare professional make decisions about treatment.
Sometimes a mental health professional will use special questions to help understand your symptoms. There’s a standard questionnaire for depression and a questionnaire for anxiety. They may use these questions for diagnosis or to check your progress during treatment.
When to see a mental health professional
People often have brief periods of anxiety or a low mood. But when symptoms get in the way of daily life, it might be helpful to talk with a mental health professional. They can make an appropriate diagnosis and discuss treatment options.
If you’re not sure how severe your symptoms are, consider asking close friends and family. They can tell you if they’ve noticed any changes in your behavior.
Some people also find it helpful to track their symptoms in writing for 1 to 2 weeks. This written record can then be shared with a mental health professional. Reading or talking to other people with depression and anxiety can be helpful, too. Hearing about their experiences can help you understand whether to get treatment.
Frequently asked questions
Anxiety can put you at risk for depression. Anxiety can cause feelings of isolation, irritability, sleeplessness, and many other symptoms. In turn, this can lead to signs of depression, like sadness, guilt, and hopelessness. Similarly, depression can make it difficult to engage with others, which can trigger anxiety when faced with social interactions.
Depression and anxiety can happen without any obvious external triggers or stressors. But each person is different and certain triggers may affect you more than someone else. Common triggers or stressors that may make anxiety or depression worse include conflict at work, school, or in personal relationships, health conditions, or financial concerns. Other triggers can include substances like caffeine, alcohol, or drugs.
Supplements can’t replace medications and therapy for treating anxiety and depression. But some have been shown to improve symptoms. Some supplements may cause side effects or interact with prescription medications. So, it’s important to talk with a healthcare professional before you start taking them. Some supplements that can help with both depression or anxiety include 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) or magnesium. Other supplements that may help are cannabidiol (CBD), chamomile, lemon balm, and passionflower.
Anxiety can put you at risk for depression. Anxiety can cause feelings of isolation, irritability, sleeplessness, and many other symptoms. In turn, this can lead to signs of depression, like sadness, guilt, and hopelessness. Similarly, depression can make it difficult to engage with others, which can trigger anxiety when faced with social interactions.
Depression and anxiety can happen without any obvious external triggers or stressors. But each person is different and certain triggers may affect you more than someone else. Common triggers or stressors that may make anxiety or depression worse include conflict at work, school, or in personal relationships, health conditions, or financial concerns. Other triggers can include substances like caffeine, alcohol, or drugs.
Supplements can’t replace medications and therapy for treating anxiety and depression. But some have been shown to improve symptoms. Some supplements may cause side effects or interact with prescription medications. So, it’s important to talk with a healthcare professional before you start taking them. Some supplements that can help with both depression or anxiety include 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) or magnesium. Other supplements that may help are cannabidiol (CBD), chamomile, lemon balm, and passionflower.
The bottom line
For reasons researchers don’t fully understand yet, depression and anxiety are very closely linked. It can be valuable to understand whether you have anxiety, depression, or both. Having the right diagnosis can help you and a healthcare professional put together a treatment plan that’s as unique as you are. And having a diagnosis (or two) to describe your personal experience is helpful and empowering. It can help you connect with family, friends, and peer groups that can offer support.
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References
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Kalin, N. H., et al. (2020). The critical relationship between anxiety and depression. The American Journal of Psychiatry.
Kessler, R. C., et al. (2015). Anxious and non-anxious major depressive disorder in the World Health Organization World Mental Health Surveys. Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences.
National Institute of Mental Health. (n.d.). Any anxiety disorder. National Institute of Health.
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Rajhans, P., et al. (2020). Interpersonal psychotherapy for patients with mental disorders. Indian Journal of Psychiatry.
Spitzer, R. L., et al. (n.d.). GAD-7 anxiety. Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders Patient Health Questionnaire (PRIME-MD-PHQ).
Spitzer, R. L., et al. (n.d.). Patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders Patient Health Questionnaire (PRIME-MD-PHQ).
Wittchen, H. U., et al. (2000). Why do people with anxiety disorders become depressed? A prospective-longitudinal community study. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica.
