by: James M. "JimLow" Lowrance

Anxiety and depression have a lot of similarities and some are even of the opinion that these are the same type fear-emotions, that simply manifest
differently in different people.


When you look at a list of symptoms for each, there are indeed a great deal of similarities. Both can manifest with feelings of hopelessness, agitation, feeling withdrawn, fatigue, lack of ambition, inability to enjoy things that used to bring pleasure, fear of the future, inability tocope with stressful situations, etc.

It is also true that anxiety and depression often co-exist, in fact persons with actual anxiety disorders almost always have a degree of depression along with it and persons with clinical depression also commonly have co-existing anxiety.


So what would be considered some major distinguishing features of each? The fact is, many times they are not easily distinguishable, in fact many doctors, such as MDs that are not also psychiatrists or psychologists, will find it difficult to distinguish them, and many times will diagnose a patient with emotional manifestations as described above, as a combination of both anxiety and depression.

One anxiety disorder that is more a mix of both anxiety and depression than the other anxiety disorders, is “Generalized Anxiety Disorder.” With this type of anxiety, patients commonly experience a mix of both anxiety and depression. They may at times have stronger manifestations of either depression or anxiety, while at other times they are both about even in manifestation.


So what would be a major distinguishing feature of each that helps us to recognize the difference between the two? A major distinguishing feature
of depression that is often listed as one of it’s major symptoms, is
“profound sadness.”

Anxiety sufferers sometimes have spells of emotion that causes them to have crying spells etc., but it is not the same profound sadness that is more chronically severe with depression.


Anxiety sufferers on the other hand, have the “fear emotion,” which can be the bewildering type, such as severe anxiety attacks or panic attacks or can be the chronic lingering type that manifests as severe worry and apprehension.


Author Bio:

James Mark Lowrance "JimLow"

Age: 44

Married: 23 years (6-25-1983), to wife Jan

Occupation: I'm a contract salesperson, since 1989.
I have a patented fishing accessory I invented on the market, carried by Bass Pro, Academy and Cabela's but at one time was regionally carried by Wal-Marts for 6 years. Website: www.jimlowsaudios.com/anxietyaudio .html , featuring articles on emotional disorders and thyroid disease. I also offer audios on these subjects.

My Diagnosis: I was diagnosed in early 2003 with hypothyroidism but was seeking help for symptoms, in 2002. Symptoms were: fatigue (the big one), anxiety, depression, joint pain, dry skin, red flush on face, hives etc... and it is my experience with these disorders that has given me a passion to help inform others who suffer with them.