Anxiety & Depression
Anxiety & Depression
Anxiety and depression are caused by an imbalance in the brain hormone serotonin and often occur together called “comorbidity”. Although you may think of anxiety as a higher energy state than depression, each condition impacts the other, e.g., continued anxiety can make a person feel depressed and feeling depressed for a long period of time can cause anxiety.
What is Anxiety?
What is Anxiety?
Anxiety is a general term for feelings of insecurity and distress in response to specific triggers. Many people commonly feel anxious in unfamiliar situations or temporarily worry about something like an assignment or upcoming test. However, the anxious feelings do not go away for someone with a generalized anxiety disorder. Instead, they interfere with daily activities and can get worse over time.
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health concern in the United States and affect an estimated 40 million people, if not more.
What is Depression?
What is Depression?
Depression is the persistence of negative feelings that impact daily functioning and outlook. For those experiencing depression, feelings of helplessness or hopelessness extend beyond a couple of weeks and can persist for years. Common symptoms include fatigue, sadness, irritability, and a general loss of interest in activities and daily routines.
Today, young adults between 18-25 are 60% more likely to have depression than adults aged 50 or older.
What Do They Feel Like?
What Do They Feel Like?
Anxiety and depression are caused by an imbalance of serotonin (a neurotransmitter and hormone) in the brain and often occur together. Although you may think of anxiety as more stimulating than depression, each condition impacts the other. Continued anxiety can make a person feel depressed and feeling depressed for a long period of time can cause anxiety.
Below are common symptoms and behaviors that are often seen in individuals with anxiety and depression:
