The Link Between Depression and Anxiety

Millions of people experience symptoms of depression and anxiety in the United States every day. In some cases, these symptoms are a temporary reaction. For instance, it’s natural to feel depression or anxiety in response to a traumatic or stressful event.

In other words, sometimes things happen that cause emotionally healthy individuals to feel anxiety or exhibit depressive symptoms. Others may feel depression and anxiety regardless of what is happening in the outside world. In these cases, depression and anxiety are mental health disorders.

Although depression and anxiety often go hand in hand, there are marked differences between the two. Clinical depression involves feelings of lethargy and hopelessness. People who are clinically depressed may feel overwhelmed. Anxiety typically relates to fear. People with anxiety often experience a constant sensation that something is about to go wrong. Distinguishing between the two enables individuals to understand the source of their feelings and what they are experiencing and to take important steps toward emotional wellness.

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