What is Depression?

Depressed mood often leads to feelings of sadness, hopelessness, discouragement, or “down in the dumps.”

In some cases, you may deny sadness at first but a friend or family member notices it from your facial expressions and/or demeanor. (“You look like you’re about to cry” is an example.)

You may complain of feeling “blah,” having no feelings, or feeling anxious.

It is possible that instead of feeling sadness, you have bodily aches and pains or increased irritability. (For example, persistent anger, a tendency to respond to events with angry outbursts or blaming others, an exaggerated sense of frustration over minor matters.)

In children and adolescents, and irritable or cranky mood may develop rather than a sad or dejected mood.

What is Anxiety?

Anxiety is the mind and body’s reaction to stressful, dangerous, or unfamiliar situations. It’s the sense of uneasiness, distress, or dread you feel before a significant event. A certain level of anxiety helps us stay alert and aware, but for those suffering from an anxiety disorder, it feels far from normal — it can be completely debilitating.