Anxiety and Depression: What You Need to Know

Depression and anxiety disorders are common mental health conditions that often occur together.  Awareness of anxiety and depression symptoms can help you recognize them and have an informed discussion about treatment options with your healthcare provider.

In simple terms, anxiety is persistent worry or dread, while depression involves feelings of sadness and hopelessness. Most people will experience the feelings associated with anxiety and depression at some point in their lives. However, if they persist for long periods and interfere with your daily life, your healthcare provider may diagnose you with an anxiety disorder or a depressive disorder.

Anxiety and depression symptoms often occur together. Anxiety can be a symptom of a depressive disorder, and people with an anxiety disorder may become depressed. It is also possible to be diagnosed with anxiety and depressive disorders simultaneously.

General symptoms of depressive disorders may include:

• Feeling sad, empty, anxious, worthless or hopeless
• Irritability
• Becoming frustrated easily
• Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed
• Sleeping too much or too little
• Changes in appetite
• Difficulty concentrating
• Fatigue that makes it difficult to keep up with household chores, grooming and other responsibilities
• Headaches
• Stomachaches
• Sexual dysfunction
• Thoughts of self-harm or suicide

Some symptoms of anxiety disorders may include:

• Persistent feelings of uneasiness, dread or panic
• Irritability
• Obsessive thoughts
• Difficulty focusing
• Restlessness
• Muscle tension
• Dizziness
• Digestive problems, such as nausea and diarrhea
• Difficulty sleeping
• Panic attacks

You don’t have to have all of these symptoms to be diagnosed with depression or anxiety disorders.

Researchers have spent decades investigating the causes of anxiety and depressive disorders, but we still don’t know exactly why some people develop these mental health conditions while others do not. There appears to be an interplay of a chemical imbalance in the brain, genetic influence, environmental factors and/or challenging life experiences that may increase the likelihood of developing an anxiety or depressive disorder. Experiencing chronic stress or trauma increases your risk of developing anxiety and depression symptoms, as do some medications and medical conditions.

Over time, anxiety and depression can lead to:

• Relationship problems
• Poor performance at work or school
• Drug and alcohol misuse
• Social isolation
• Increased risk for medical conditions worsened by stress, such as hypertension
• Self-harm and suicide

Call, text, or chat with a counselor at the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 24/7, 365 days a year if you or a loved one are experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide.

The good news is that there are ways to manage symptoms associated with anxiety and depressive disorders.

If you’re experiencing symptoms of depression and/or anxiety, talk to your healthcare provider to explore treatment options. Some potential treatments for symptoms of anxiety and depression may include:

• Psychotherapy (“talk therapy”): A licensed mental health professional can help you explore the causes of your anxiety and depression symptoms and develop healthy coping strategies to improve your quality of life.
• Medications: Antidepressants are commonly prescribed for treating anxiety and depression. These medications typically alleviate symptoms by altering how certain chemicals in the brain are produced and used. Your healthcare provider may also recommend other medications to help manage anxiety symptoms, such as benzodiazepine for acute anxiety, or a beta blocker, which may help reduce physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat.
• Lifestyle changes: Regular exercise, a healthy diet and effective stress management may help reduce depression and anxiety symptoms.
• Biofeedback: Through biofeedback, people can learn to recognize physical signs of anxiety and depression as soon as they begin, and then develop strategies for managing symptoms through deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation or body movement.

Updated November 2024.