How Anxiety and Depression Might Be Linked

Anxiety and depression are not the same thing, even though the symptoms and some of 
the treatments might be similar. But if you have anxiety, such as social phobia, you 
might not realize it can also be linked to depression, and vice versa.

The Main Differences

First of all, it can help to know what the differences are between depression and 
anxiety. Sometimes the symptoms are similar, so they are very subtle. 

Depression – With depression, the emotions are often different than when you have 
anxiety. Depression is a chronic mental illness that doesn’t have a ‘cure’. There are 
ways to treat it, but those feelings will come and go, often without a trigger. 
Anxiety – Anxiety on the other hand is usually linked to something that triggers it. With 
social anxiety, it is likely something like a social situation you have to participate in. The 
treatments may also be different with anxiety.

Avoidance From These Illnesses

One of the similarities between anxiety and depression is that you tend to have an 
avoidance personality. Instead of dealing with how uncomfortable or fearful you feel, 
you will start avoiding people or situations. When you start avoiding people because of 
your anxiety, you might then feel depressed because of loneliness. But you don’t want 
to spend more time with people, because your anxiety doesn’t allow you to. This starts a 
dangerous cycle that is hard to get out of.

How The Link Starts to Form

The link between anxiety and depression is sometimes hard to spot, since people can 
have just one of these illnesses, or both simultaneously. However, when you have 
depression, the way you feel can often make you feel anxious about those negative 
emotions, which then gives you anxiety. This also goes the other way. While not 
everyone with anxiety will get depression and vice versa, there is often a link between 
them. 

What You Can Do About it

The best thing to do is seek treatment not for the mental illnesses together, but for each 
one on their own. Some treatments will be the same, but others are going to be 
different. While cognitive behavioral therapy works great for anxiety, you might have 
severe depression that also requires an anti-depressant. You should make sure each 
individual mental illness is being treated properly and that you get professional help in 
addition to trying natural remedies.


