Do I Have Anxiety, Depression, or Both?

You hear the terms “depression” and “anxiety” in the same sentence often enough to wonder whether they always go hand-in-hand — they often do.

While each condition is distinct from the other, they share some similar symptoms and treatments. 

Our Nexclin Medicine team, including Dr. Naima Cheema and Dr. Hina Abid, explain the links between these two common mental health issues and how we treat them.

Anxiety

Anxiety is a natural human response to stress. It makes your heart race, your muscles tense, and your body and mind ready to defend themselves. These reactions are great if you’re in danger, but they’re not so great if they occur out of the blue and hang on for hours, days, or weeks. 

While it’s normal to experience anxiety occasionally, chronic anxiety disrupts your daily life. Over 19% of American adults and around 7% of kids have an anxiety disorder, making anxiety one of the most common mental health conditions in the United States.

Signs of anxiety:

• Excessive worry
• Restlessness or feeling on edge
• Fatigue
• Difficulty concentrating
• Irritability
• Muscle tension
• Sleep disturbances

While these symptoms can be overwhelming, they don’t have to be. We can treat anxiety with therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes. 

Depression

Depression, or major depressive disorder, is the persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Unlike temporary emotional responses to life’s challenges, depression is a chronic condition that interferes with your day-to-day activities, your job, and your relationships. 

Signs of depression:

• Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood
• Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
• Irritability
• Loss of interest in hobbies and activities
• Decreased energy or fatigue
• Difficulty sleeping or oversleeping
• Changes in appetite or weight
• Thoughts of death or suicide

By recognizing these symptoms, you can take the first step toward seeking support. 

Can you have both anxiety and depression?

Yes, it’s possible to have both anxiety and depression, a condition often referred to as “comorbid” anxiety and depression. About half of people with anxiety also have symptoms of depression, and vice versa, and it can be tricky to figure out which came first.

Overlapping symptoms:

• Restlessness or agitation
• Fatigue
• Difficulty concentrating
• Sleep disturbances
• Irritability

The treatments for depression and anxiety are different, and when they occur together, they call for a unique approach. Our holistic approach, which may include a combination of therapy, medication, and lifestyle interventions, is often the most effective way to manage these interwoven conditions. 

How to differentiate between the two

While anxiety and depression share some symptoms, key differences can help distinguish between them:

Focus of concern

Anxiety often involves intense worry about future events, while depression involves a pervasive sense of hopelessness.

Energy levels

Anxiety can cause hyperactivity or increased energy, whereas depression often leads to fatigue and low energy.

Mood variability

Anxiety symptoms fluctuate with varying stress levels. Depression tends to produce a consistently low mood over time.

Recognizing these differences helps us reach an accurate diagnosis and get you started on an effective treatment plan. 

Seeking professional help

If you think you might have anxiety, depression, or both, call us. Our Nexclin Medicine team can help you identify the type of mental health condition you’re dealing with. Your personalized therapy plan could include any combination of the following approaches:

• Stress management
• Adrenal health optimization
• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Psychotherapy
• Medications
• Hormone therapy
• Nutrient deficiency analysis

These treatments target the root cause of your depression and anxiety to help you manage the symptoms and reclaim your life. 

Call Nexclin Medicine in Roswell, Georgia, to schedule a consultation with one of our depression and anxiety experts.