Signs of Depression and Anxiety

At first glance, anxiety and depression can seem like two very different and unrelated conditions. Anxiety is thought of as more of a high energy state of being, and depression is thought of as more of a low energy state of being. However,  those who suffer from one or both know that, often, one condition can come along with the other.

Anxiety and depression can commonly trigger one another. Anxious thoughts can eventually cause someone to fall into a depressive episode, and a depressive episode can bring on anxious thoughts. As a result, many symptoms of both conditions can overlap. For example, sleep issues, difficulty concentrating, loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, and tiredness can be found in anxiety and depression.

The difference in symptoms that co-occur with anxiety and depression are the reasons they happen. Tiredness in depression is often a primary symptom. Tiredness in anxiety is often a secondary symptom resulting from exhaustion and lack of sleep due to rumination and thought patterns. Loss of interest in activities while depressed may result from fatigue and low energy, while loss of interest while anxious may be the result of panic attacks.

Ways That Anxiety Can Manifest

Anxiety involves intense worry and fear that overtake a person’s daily life. A specific event can trigger it, or it can have no connection to a real-life experience. A person suffering from anxiety is in constant fight or flight response despite no real threat existing. 

In addition to the debilitating thoughts associated with anxiety, physical symptoms can sometimes mimic stress. The following are other signs of the condition:

• Cold, sweaty, numb, or tingling hands or feet
• Heart palpitations
• Shortness of breath
• Dry mouth
• Racing thoughts
• Dizziness
• Nausea      

Ways That Depression Can Manifest

Depression is described as a mental health disorder resulting in a depressed state that impacts daily life. A person suffering from depression will have little or no interest in things they once enjoyed. Participating in everyday life can range from difficult to impossible for someone suffering from depression.

The following are signs that someone may be experiencing depression:

• Excessive sleep 
• Fatigue or a feeling of being physically heavy or weighed down
• Feelings of intense sadness
• Feelings of hopelessness
• Foggy thinking or slower thought processes
• Thoughts of suicide or death

Help Is Available

There is help available for those who suffer from anxiety, depression, or both. While the cycles of both conditions can leave people feeling overwhelmed and hopeless, they are not alone. It is estimated that approximately 16 million adults in the United States suffer from depression, and about 40 million adults suffer from anxiety.

Contact TMS Global Network for more information and to get the help you deserve.