The Link Between Anxiety and Depression: What You Need to Know

Many factors can contribute to feelings of anxiety or depression.Both disorders involve feeling sad and hopeless at times. But they are different in their ways. This article discusses the link between anxiety and depression and what you can do about it.

Contents:

• What is Depression?
• What is Anxiety?
• How Are Depression and Anxiety Related?
• Tips to Help Someone with Depression and Anxiety
• Conclusion

What is Depression?

Depression is a mental health problem that causes persistent sadness and low mood. It can affect your sleeping, eating, and daily activities. It can also affect your relationships and how you think about life.Most types of depression start in adulthood. They are not caused by childhood trauma or abuse. Depression linked to trauma or abuse is called “Post-traumatic Stress Disorder”.

What is Anxiety?

Anxiety is an emotion that can be helpful in certain situations. It can help you stay alert and focused when facing a difficult situation. Anxiety becomes a problem when it is excessive. It causes excessive worry, fear, and physical symptoms that make it hard to function normally. Anxiety can also occur together with depression. This is called “Comorbidity.”

How Are Depression and Anxiety Related?

Depression and anxiety disorders often occur together. Some people who have one disease also have the other. Researchers aren’t sure why this happens, but it is more common in people who are in their teens, 20s, and 30s. When both disorders are present, treatment is needed for both. They will not go away if only one disorder is treated. When both disorders are treated, symptoms are less severe and last for a shorter period.

Tips to Help Someone with Depression and Anxiety

— Educate yourself. The more you understand the link between anxiety and depression, the better you can help.

— Be patient. It takes time to recover from these disorders.

— Offer practical help. Be there to assist with daily tasks and errands.

— Listen more than you talk. Stay in touch with your friend. Show that you care.

— Keep expectations realistic. Help your friend set small, daily goals and celebrate their progress.

— Avoid being critical or judgmental. People with anxiety and depression need understanding, not criticism.

— Be there for your friend during a crisis.

— Stay hopeful.

Conclusion

The link between anxiety and depression is complex. It is often difficult to determine which one came first. Whether one disorder causes the other is also a bit of a mystery. One disorder can make the other worse. The best way to help someone with both disorders is to treat them both. If you or someone you know is struggling with depression or anxiety, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. There are many ways to treat these disorders, and they do not have to interfere with your quality of life.

The author of this article is a therapist from the Sensera app. Sensera is a daily 10-minute self-therapy app. It’ll help you to cope with various mental problems (anxiety, self-esteem, relationship issues). Feel better with CBT audio sessions and exercises. Download now to become happier!

https://sensera.app/ — our website

https://get.sensera.app/nLu4/d0j4f3if — our app