For the longest time, you’ve felt that something may be wrong with you. Even when you’re successful, you find yourself full of self-doubt. Despite being in a loving relationship, you feel unworthy of that love, and you’re constantly bracing yourself for it to end. You’re struggling to find peace and fulfillment. At night, it’s hard for you to sleep, and getting out of bed in the morning can feel excruciating.
Maybe you’ve begun to do some research, trying to make sense of your symptoms. It’s very possible that you’ve begun to suspect that you’re experiencing anxiety or depression. Only, you’re not sure which one.
While the two are very different, they also have a lot of overlapping symptoms, and a lot of people struggle to pinpoint the differences. Defining your pain can be the first step to finding the courage and empowerment to seek help.
5 ways depression differs from anxiety
Here are some of the main ways in which depression and anxiety differ:
- Anxiety usually accelerates the pace of life. Things are moving too fast, and you can’t keep up. It’s overwhelming to always feel that you’re one step behind and that usually increases the anxious thoughts and worrying. In contrast, depression tends to muddle things up, until a lot of people feel they’re moving slowly through a grey, dense fog. Even if the days themselves go by pretty quickly in an indiscernible haze, the moments feel like they’re crawling along.
- Anxiety also makes things appear closer than they are. It’s normal to feel anxious about the future, anticipate failure, and be afraid of loss, even if you’re currently successful. Depression, on the other hand, makes things feel more distant and far away. A lot of people describe feeling dissociated from their surroundings and accomplishments when they’re depressed.
- Often, people that are anxious feel excessively energetic; worrying can make you antsy and unable to focus. Excessive sweating, rapid breathing, accelerated heart rate, and trouble falling asleep are all common symptoms of anxiety. On the other end of the spectrum, depression induces lethargy and bone-heavy fatigue.
- Unlike anxiety, which usually causes fear and excessive worry about death, depression usually manifests in apathy. People suffering from depression often feel hopeless and worthless, and many report not caring whether they live or die.
- In general, anxiety heightens emotions. You feel overwhelmingly nervous, irritable, or afraid. Depression is the opposite, causing many people to feel completely numb and incapable of experiencing fear, joy, or love.
Reach out today
If you feel that you’re experiencing depression, anxiety, or both, please know that you are not alone. I am ready to work with you and help you break free from your struggles. It takes a lot of strength to reach out, and I have a lot of respect for you.
For therapy in or near Los Angeles that is effective and enjoyable, give me a call or fill out the contact form and click Send to request a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation. I look forward to hearing from you.
