Anxiety and Depression Disorders - How Do They Differ?

The terms anxiety and depression disorders are often used interchangeably by many, but in reality they are quite different. For those suffering from anxiety, depression or both it is important for them to understand the distinctions because such an understanding will aid in their recovery.

Depression is marked by overwhelming feelings of sorrow and unhappiness. Those suffering from depression may feel powerless to confront life issues, be discouraged about their future prospects and are consistently ill-tempered toward the people in their lives. They may have a variety of symptoms ranging from loss of appetite, to altered sleep patterns (too much or little sleep), to lack of interest in former hobbies or interests to a pervasive sense of exhaustion.

On the other hand, someone suffering from anxiety will be fearful or panicky in places or circumstances where a normal person would not have similar feelings. To compound these issues, their bouts with fear and panic will quite often begin to surface for no apparent reason. Therefore, they will begin to avoid any situation they think might start an attack which, more than likely, will cause them to significantly adjust their lifestyle.

People with mild to moderate anxiety might be able to adjust their lifestyle so they can lead somewhat normal lives. For example, if a person encounters extreme anxiety when asked to give a speech or ride in an elevator they can seek to avoid those situations and seemingly gain control over their anxiety and their lives.

A person suffering from depression, however, will probably not find it as easy to avoid their symptoms. Their dispirited feelings are pervasive, prevalent and non-ending. Even great news or pleasant happenings will not help them overcome their feelings. It will be more difficult for them to hide their feelings from family and friends. Generally, depression is considered more challenging to resolve than anxiety and panic issues because the process takes longer and their treatment is more complicated.

Anxiety will often start to accompany depression. Likewise, a person suffering from anxiety will many times feel depressed. That's why the terms are often interchanged and misunderstood. Clinical studies have shown a vast majority of people who have been diagnosed with major depression also will have some type of panic or anxiety disorder.

Unfortunately, when panic, anxiety and depression co-exist they present quite a challenge for the medical community. When symptoms of each are involved they seem to feed off each other and the combination makes the individual condition worse than if it was experienced on its own.

At its worse, depression experienced with anxiety will lead to significantly higher suicide rates than if a person was just suffering from depression by itself.

Therefore, if a person is suffering from an anxiety or depression disorder it is very important for them to seek to resolve their issues early before they have the opportunity to morph into a combination of conditions that will be even more difficult to treat and resolve. People with depression are specifically more prone to rationalize their symptoms and attribute their feelings to other issues and avoid treatment options.

So, whether it is depression or anxiety and panic issues, it is important to address them as soon as possible to avoid more extensive and complicated problems.

Blaine Scott comes from a family with a long history of close relatives who have lived through the struggles associated with anxiety and panic attacks. He knows first hand how much they interfere with daily life and the joy of living. For more information on anxiety and depression disorders [http://www.panicattacksresolved.com/anxiety-and-depression-disorders], visit [http://www.panicattacksresolved.com].

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