Sleeplessness, irritability, d-r-a-m-a with your moods, and a Debbie Downer view of the future: These are all things that could be symptoms of either anxiety or depression.
Which begs the question: How are you even supposed to know which one is wreaking havoc with your life?
“It’s very common for people to experience both anxiety and depression, which is why they may confuse them,” says Dr. Alison Ross, spokesperson for the American Psychological Association. In fact, the same neurotransmitters (i.e., chemical messengers in the brain)—including serotonin and dopamine—play key roles in both depression and anxiety, and antidepressants are often used to treat both.
But even though anxiety and depression share symptoms, causes, and even treatments, it’s important to understand the difference between the two. Your thoughts, feeling, and behaviours will differ—and knowing which disorder affects you helps you to seek the right type of help.
Once your therapist makes a diagnosis, she’ll equip you with a specific toolset to help you face everyday stressors causing anxiety that are different than the tools she’d offer if you’re depressed and feeling defeated.
“Both disorders really impact your ability to function personally and professionally for a very long time,” says Ross. “If depression or anxiety is getting in the way of living a full life, medication or therapy can help you feel better.”
Take this quiz to start to determine whether you might be suffering from anxiety, depression, or both. Respond to each question honestly, then tally up your letters (next to each response) at the end to get your score and learn what leads to a diagnosis.
Note: This quiz is not an official diagnostic tool, and if you think you’re struggling with anxiety or depression, you should seek the professional opinion of a therapist.
1) You feel gloomy most of the time and/or suddenly burst into tears.
2) You feel tense and stressed, and you constantly dread the future.
3) You often feel like there’s no point in trying.
4) It’s hard for you to concentrate and/or relax.
5) Your appetite is way bigger (or smaller), and you may have gained or lost several pounds over the last month.
6) You replay the same scenario (your boss firing you, your partner leaving you, your friends ignoring you) over and over (and over…) in your head.
7) You’re just not interested in things you used to love, like cooking or spending time with friends.
MOSTLY AS AND CS: YOU MAY BE SUFFERING FROM DEPRESSION
The following are common symptoms linked to depression but not anxiety:
MOSTLY BS AND CS: YOU MAY BE SUFFERING FROM ANXIETY
The following are common symptoms linked to anxiety but not depression:
MOSTLY CS: YOU MAY NOT BE SUFFERING FROM ANXIETY OR DEPRESSION.
Remember, everyone goes through tough periods. “All people feel sad or anxious from time to time. It’s part of the human experience. It shouldn’t be considered threatening or problematic,” says Dr. Julie L. Pike, a licensed psychologist in Durham, NC.
If you are worried about yourself or someone in your care, the best thing you can do is talk to someone.
You can contact:
Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
Lifeline 13 11 14
SANE Australia 1800 187 263
This article originally appeared on Women’s Health US
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