Is it Depression or Anxiety? Understanding Common Symptoms, Differences, What to Do, and More

Depression vs Anxiety: Let’s Understand The Differences

Dr Shorouq Motwani says that depression is characterized by a “consistently low or flat mood that interferes with day-to-day functioning.” Those who report being depressed say that they lack “energy, motivation, or emotional connection to the world around them, and what pleased them earlier no longer has meaning.”

• The commonly reported symptoms are:
• Depleted energy
• Low sleep
• Appetite changes
• Poor focus
• General thought that life has no meaning or sense of worth
• In more serious cases, thoughts of self-harm and/or suicide

“While hopelessness and lack of emotions represent the heart of depression, it is not simply sadness, but a deep disconnection from oneself and the world,” she says.

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On the other hand, anxiety is driven by “chronic worry and an ongoing sense of internal unrest,” says the doctor. The most reported symptoms are:

• A constant on-the-edge feeling
• Anticipation of the worst-case scenarios, even in the absence of a real threat
• Rapid heartbeat
• Shortness of breath
• Restlessness
• Muscle tension
• Inability to relax

“Mentally, it is dominated by overthinking, fear, and difficulty focusing. While depression pulls energy downward, anxiety scatters it, creating a state of heightened alertness and mental exhaustion,” points out Dr Shorouq Motwani.

Depression and Anxiety: Let’s Understand The Overlapping Symptoms

As mentioned above, depression and anxiety do have overlapping symptoms despite having visible differences. Some of the common indications are:

• Poor sleep
• Irritability
• Tiredness
• Low concentration

“Often, people can have symptoms of both at the same time, which is referred to as a mixed anxiety-depressive disorder and while the presence of two disorders can complicate diagnosis and treatment, it acknowledges the need for a thorough look at the person as a whole,” highlights the psychiatrist.

Depression and Anxiety: When to Seek Help

If symptoms of depression and anxiety persist for more than two weeks and begin to interfere with your work, personal and office relationships, or daily life, a professional evaluation is strongly recommended. This is because an early diagnosis leads to better outcomes.

Treatment may include:

• Evidence-based therapies (cognitive behavioural therapy or CBT)
• Medication
• Structured lifestyle changes (improved sleep, physical activity, and nutrition)

“Both conditions are highly treatable. With timely support, individuals can regain stability, resilience, and a sense of emotional clarity. Recognising the signs early and seeking help is not just important; it’s life-changing. Also, remember depression and anxiety are medical conditions and not reflections of personal weakness,” wraps up Dr Shorouq Motwani, Psychiatrist, Lilavati Hospital, Mumbai.

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