While depression is a state of deep sadness that often evolves due to external factors, but can also be related to internal factors, anxiety is associated with a state of excessive worry.

The appearance of one together with the diagnosis of another is often synonymous with a lack of early diagnosis and adequate treatment for the person. To help you better understand what each mental disorder is, VillaRamadas clarifies each term and what differences really exist.

What is depression?

“A state of deep sadness, a feeling of emptiness and loss of interest and motivation, even for something you used to enjoy”, depression is a mental disorder. With a great psychological impact, this type of disorder can eventually be reflected in physical symptoms.

What is anxiety?

This is also a disorder that can be reflected in physical and/or psychological symptoms, anxiety is a state of excessive worry. This type of behavior, of extrapolation of events and creation of future scenarios, does not allow the experience of the present and represents aconstant concern at the mental level.

Anxiety, as a mental disorder, is characterized by intense and prolonged episodes. Consequently, this excessive concern hinders daily behavior and sometimes leads to social disruption and self-isolation.

Can depression and anxiety coexist?

Yes. Although one is not synonymous with the existence of the other, it is possible that these two mental disorders coexist. Being psychological disorders, it is important that they are properly diagnosed and differentiated, as the treatment may differ.

But depressioncan coexist with a previous anxiety disorder.The fact that the latter potentiates cases of self-isolation due to constant excessive worry about what is going to happen, can lead to depression. Self-isolation and ‘closing in on yourself’ can potentiate the negative thoughts characteristic of depression.

Depression vs Anxiety: The Biggest Differences

Although the two are linked, depression and anxiety have some differences. If, on a psychological level, the distinction is difficult, it is the physical symptoms that often help to distinguish them.

Anxiety can be characterized by the presence of several visible physical symptoms such as,

• Tachycardia (increased heartbeat);
• Gastric contraction (that feeling of knot in the stomach);
• Fear or feeling of panic without reason;
• Difficulty breathing;
• Nausea or vomiting;
• Dizziness;
• Dry mouth;
• Muscle tension.

It can also be reflected at a behavioral level through irritability, nail biting, tension in the jaws, etc., and at a cognitive level it can lead to insomnia, concentration problems, memory changes, among others.

In depression, symptoms such as,

• Chronic fatigue;
• Insomnia or hypersomnia;
• Frequent weight fluctuations.

Treatment for depression and anxiety

Depression and anxiety are psychological disorders and are considered serious in some cases. Thus, it is imperative that before starting treatment, the correct diagnosis is made by a specialist.

The right diagnosis, and the willingness of the person in question to be treated, will drive the most appropriate type of treatment. Going through behavioral changes, any treatment for this type of disorders must be carried out together with a multidisciplinary team. The process is unique and adapted so that the balance of mental health is restored.

The VillaRamadas team has specialists for the treatment of depression and anxiety. With life changing programs, contact us to learn more about our expert help methods.