How to Understand and Deal with the Overlap Between Two of the Most Common Mental Health Issues
Anxiety and depression are two of the most common mental health problems that people in Canada and throughout the world are diagnosed with. People commonly talk about these two diseases separately, but they often happen simultaneously, which makes things much harder for individuals who have both. Even though they are widespread, people often don’t understand what makes them different and how they work together. People who want to recover, gain assistance, and find clarity must understand how these things are different, how they overlap, and how to handle them all at once.
At State of Mind Counseling, we think it’s important to provide people treatment that is both compassionate and well-informed, taking into account all aspects of their mental health. In this article, we talk about the main distinctions between anxiety and depression, why they frequently happen at the same time, and how anxiety and depression treatment through a complete care plan may give you hope and balance.
What does anxiety mean?
Anxiety is more than simply being apprehensive before a major presentation or worried about something that is about to happen. It is a constant feeling of worry, anxiety, or anxiousness that may get in the way of everyday living. If these sensations last for a long time and are hard to manage, they might be a sign of an anxiety condition.
Some common signs of anxiousness are:
- Worrying all the time or too much about ordinary things
- Feeling restless or on edge
- Tiredness and trouble sleeping
- Being irritable
- Tension in the muscles
- Can’t focus
- Panic attacks or abrupt emotions of extreme dread
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and particular phobias are all examples of anxiety disorders. There are certain things that are the same about all of them, but they all include concern or dread that is far worse than normal everyday stress.
What is depression?
Major depressive disorder (MDD), sometimes known as depression, is when you feel unhappy all the time or lose interest in things you used to love. It may change how a person thinks, feels, and acts, which can cause a lot of mental and physical difficulties.
Some common signs of depression are:
- Being melancholy, empty, or hopeless all the time
- Not being interested in or enjoying hobbies and activities anymore
- Changes in weight or appetite
- Problems with sleep, include not being able to sleep or sleeping too much
- Not having enough energy or being tired
- Thoughts of being useless or too much guilt
- It’s hard to think, focus, or make choices
- Thoughts about dying or killing oneself
Being depressed doesn’t mean you’re weak, and you can’t just “snap out of it.” It is a real and significant problem that needs systematic and caring care.
What makes anxiety and depression different?
Anxiety and depression may have some of the same symptoms, including being restless, irritable, and having trouble sleeping, but they are different in how they feel at their core.
- When someone is anxious, they often feel more excited, worried, and scared about things that may happen in the future.
- People with depression frequently feel sad, hopeless, and lose interest in the present or future.
Anxiety is typically about “what might happen,” whereas despair might seem like “nothing will ever change.” It’s vital to know the difference since it helps you choose the best treatment options.
Why do anxiety and depression often happen at the same time?
Many individuals feel anxious and depressed at the same time. Research shows that over half of people with depression also have an anxiety issue. There are several possible causes for this to happen at the same time, such as:
- Shared biological factors: Both illnesses include neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine
- Similar life experiences: Trauma, bereavement, or long-term stress may cause both anxiety and depression
- Behavioral overlap: Anxiety may make you feel hopeless (depression), and sadness can make you worry all the time
- Genetics: If someone in your family has a history of mental health problems, you are more likely to have one or both of them
When both of these things happen at the same time, they might make each other worse. Someone with anxiety, for instance, can have trouble sleeping and have racing thoughts, which might make them feel more tired and hopeless, which are symptoms of depression.
How can you treat anxiety and depression at the same time?
The good news is that both anxiety and depression are easy to cure, particularly when you take a whole and integrated approach. We help clients who have one or both of these diseases at State of Mind Counseling by using treatments that have been shown to work and creating tailored care plans.
Here are some of the best ways to treat it:
1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most used ways to treat anxiety and depression. It helps clients find and modify thinking patterns that are harmful and make them feel bad.
- CBT for anxiety focuses on stopping catastrophic thinking and avoiding things that make you anxious
- CBT for depression works on changing negative thoughts about yourself, the world, and the future
When anxiety and depression happen at the same time, CBT may help both by teaching people how to think, feel, and deal with their problems in better ways.
2. Therapies that focus on mindfulness and acceptance
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) are two types of therapy that assist people to become more aware of their thoughts and emotions without judging them. This may be quite helpful for those who are worried and depressed at the same time.
- Mindfulness practices help you be calm and aware of the present moment, which may help with anxiety
- Acceptance helps you respond to depressed thoughts in a kinder and more compassionate way
3. Drugs
Some people are given drugs like Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) or Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) to assist control their symptoms. These drugs may help with both anxiety and depression by bringing neurotransmitter levels in the brain back to normal.
Medication can assist, but it works best when used alongside treatment. We work with doctors and psychiatrists at State of Mind Counseling to make sure that any drug therapy is well watched and fits the needs of each person.
4. Changes to your lifestyle and taking care of yourself
Taking care of your mental health also means doing things every day that are good for your body and mind. We regularly help customers add:
- Exercise on a regular basis
- Eating well
- Proper sleep hygiene
- Time for hobbies and making friends
- Cutting down on booze and coffee
Self-care is important for keeping your mental health and preventing you from relapsing, but it can’t take the place of treatment or medication.
5. Support networks and group therapy
Group therapy gives people a place to talk about their problems, learn from others, and feel like they belong and are connected to other people. People with depression and anxiety sometimes feel alone, so getting social support may be quite helpful.
When to Get Help
It’s crucial to get help if you or someone you care about is dealing with long-term anxiety, depression, or both. Mental health problems don’t show a person’s character or failure; they’re just things that happen to people that need compassion, attention, and expert treatment.
Here are some signals that you should get help:
- Most days, I feel like I’m going to explode
- Having trouble doing everyday activities
- Not wanting to get out with people or do things
- Having panic attacks or thoughts of hurting yourself
- Feeling like things will never get better
We at State of Mind Counseling provide a secure, friendly, and nonjudgmental space where healing starts with understanding. Our staff is ready to listen, help, and show you evidence-based techniques that work for you right now.