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

In today’s world, Gen Z people use depression and anxiety interchangeably. That’s because these mental health disorders have several overlapping signs and symptoms, which confuses as to what that particular person is suffering from. However, Dr Shorouq Motwani, Psychiatrist at Lilavati Hospital, Mumbai, points out that there are several surprising differences between depression and anxiety. She says that there exists a number of clinical differences, physical manifestations, and psychological issues, all of which are important to identify the problem early and then begin the process of recovery.

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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