Anxiety is the fear of some unknown or future threat, whereas depression is feeling blue and having low moods. Anxiety is worry about the future, whereas depression is regret about the past. Anxiety makes you worry, whereas depression makes you sad. Anxiety makes your fret over things, whereas depression makes you not care. Anxiety is nervous energy, depression is no energy. Anxiety is intense, depression is apathetic. Anxiety is the fear of loss, depression is the result of loss. Anxiety makes you think what could be, depression makes you think what should be. Anxiety overwhelms, depression under whelms. Anxiety is fearful, depression is hopeless. Anxiety is excessive expectations, depression is unmet expectations. Anxiety is anticipation, depression is delay. Anxiety is over preparation, depression is procrastination. Anxiety is hypervigilance, depression is dreadful waiting. Anxiety is not having enough, depression is losing it all. Anxiety is restlessness, depression is not getting out of bed.
The core symptom of anxiety is extreme fear, nervousness, or worry on exposure to a feared stimulus, or the anticipation of exposure to a feared stimulus. Additional anxiety symptoms include panic attacks, generalized worries, anticipatory anxiety, catastrophic thinking, avoidance, muscle tension, disrupted sleep, phobias to specific objects like spiders, fear of social scrutiny, flashbacks, and obsessions/compulsions. There are different subtypes of anxiety, including generalized anxiety disorder, specific phobia, social phobia, panic disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, and obsessive compulsive disorder. Each of the anxiety subtypes have characteristic symptoms: generalized anxiety disorder- frequent worries; specific phobias- fear of an object or situation; social phobia- fear of social scrutiny; panic disorder- panic attacks; post traumatic stress disorder- flashbacks and nightmares from trauma; and obsessive compulsive disorder- compulsions and obsessions.
The core symptom of depression is low moods or anhedonia (loss of interest in pleasurable activities), oftentimes triggered by a stressor. Additional depressive symptoms include early morning awakenings, feelings of guilt, low energy level, poor concentration, appetite changes, slow movements, agitation, and thoughts of self harm. Depression subtypes include major depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder, bipolar depression, adjustment disorder with depression, seasonal affective disorder, and post partum depression. Each of the depression subtypes have characteristic symptoms: major depressive disorder- depressive episode lasting more than 2 weeks; dysthymic disorder- chronic depression; bipolar depression- depression that occurs in someone who also has manic episodes; adjustment disorder with depression- depressive symptoms after a stressor and not meeting criteria for major depressive disorder; seasonal affective disorder- depression that coincides with the seasons; post partum depression- depression that occurs after giving birth.
For more information on anxiety, read my book on anxiety, Anxiety Protocol. Anxiety Protocol will help you eradicate anxiety from your life. Stay tuned for my upcoming book on depression.
photo credit: de-speration-pression via photopin (license)
Samsia K.Akmad says
Hi..I’m samsia 25 yr old.I had a generalized anxiety for almost 1yr Its ruined my life..
How can i have that book. I leave her the phillipines
Dr. Carlo Carandang says
Dear Samsia,
I’m sorry you are suffering from anxiety. You can find out more about the book, Anxiety Protocol, by clicking here: http://anxietyprotocol.com/
Regards,
Dr. Carlo
ali waqas says
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Dr. Carlo says
There are other effective ways to reduce anxiety, via progressive muscle relaxation, meditation, yoga, and diaphragmatic breathing, as detailed here: https://anxietyboss.com/anxiety-treatments/relaxation-strategies/
Alaske usman says
what is the best treatment of both anxiety and depression ?
Dr. Carlo says
The answer to this question can be found in the following link: https://anxietyboss.com/anxiety-forums/498/what-is-the-best-treatment-for-anxiety-and-nervousness
casanika says
The doctor say my child is ADHD but his catscan an ecg show his brain wave is normal an he still want to put him on this medication which well give him anxiety
Dr. Carlo says
You can still have ADHD with a normal CT scan of the brain and normal ECG. It is true that ADHD medications, such as stimulants, can induce anxiety as a side effect. Please follow-up with your child’s doctor for further questions into your child’s treatment plan and medical care.
Helen says
I’m interested what’s difference between adjustment disorder with anxiety (http://adjustmentdisorders.org/types/with-anxiety) and depression (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depression_(mood))
Dr. Carlo says
From the links you provided, I can see why you may need clarity on this. Adjustment disorders basically are the result of a clear stressor causing anxiety and/or depressive symptoms, and when the stressor is removed, the symptoms go away shortly thereafter. When you have an anxiety disorder or depression, then the symptoms are more severe and they don’t go away when the stressor is removed. And additionally, anxiety and depression have overlapping symptoms, and sometimes it is difficult to tell them apart. But the main differences between anxiety and depression are that anxiety is caused by fear and worry, while depression is caused by hopelessness and feeling worthless. This link further details how anxiety and depression develop, and the differences.
Gohar says
Very simple one hour sun light very day . Eat healthy balence foods. Think positive. Don’t thinks nagatve because our brain adjust sitting take 6 month to balence thinking and emotions and some energy drink like red bull 4 cane every day can help reduce anxiety a depression .
Dr. Carlo says
If you have an anxiety disorder or major depressive disorder, then the “simple” interventions that you mention will not work on their own. Of course everyone needs sunlight, balanced diet, positive thinking. But don’t trivialize people’s suffering- it’s not as simple to fix as you think.
Fe says
I have a friend that experiences similar symptoms to both anxiety and depression, but majorly depression. They have acknowledged that they are too negative towards things, and that they should change their way of thinking. However, they could easy not care about what others think, and chooses to keep quiet when it comes to choosing something. They question why people are kind, and why they are not able to do that. And if they are trying to make a better version of themselves, they think it’s selfish. It’s difficult to have to listen to my friend go through this, but I do it because I care. What’s the best thing to do in this situation? I know I’m not supposed to just assume someone has depression/anxiety, so that’s the reason why I’m seeking for help. I would greatly appreciate it if my question could be answered.