Difference Between Stress, Anxiety & Depression? Know who to take care of Mental Health by Dr Reema Gupta. Watch Video

Mental health is of prime importance these days. Did you know that conditions like anxiety, stress and depression have different signs and symptoms? Stay tuned for our expert, Dr Reema Gupta from Max Healthcare, who talks in detail about the difference and how one can take care of their mental health.  

What is Anxiety?

Anxiety is a feeling of Intense, excessive and persistent worry and fear about everyday situations. An anxiety attack is a feeling of overwhelming apprehension, worry, distress, or fear. For many people, an anxiety attack builds slowly but with time this thing seriously takes a toll on mental and physical health. 

Symptoms of Anxiety

• Fast heart rate

• Rapid breathing

• sweating 

• Feeling tired

What is Stress?

Stress is an overwhelming feeling of emotional or physical tension. It can come from any event or thought that makes you feel frustrated, angry, or nervous.  In short bursts, stress can be positive, such as when it helps you avoid danger or meet a deadline. But in the long run it may lead to anxiety, depression or worsen mental health. 

Symptoms of Stress

• Aches and pains in my body.

• Chest pain or a feeling like your heart is racing.

• Exhaustion or trouble sleeping.

• Headaches, dizziness or shaking.

• High blood pressure.

• Muscle tension or jaw clenching.

• Stomach or digestive problems.

• Trouble while sexual intercourse

What is Depression?

A group of conditions associated with the elevation or lowering of a person's mood, such as depression or bipolar disorder. Depression (major depressive disorder) is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act. Seeing the statistics, an estimated 3.8% of the population is affected, including 5.0% among adults and 5.7% among adults older than 60 years. Approximately 280 million people in the world have depression.

Cause of Depression

• Brain chemistry

• Genetics

• Life Events

• Medical Conditions

• Medication

• Personality disorders and more

Symptoms of Depression

• Feeling very sad, hopeless or worried all day.

• Not feeling like enjoying your favorite things anymore.

• Get easily irritated or frustrated.

• Eating too much or too little.

• Changes in sleep cycle.

• Difficulty in time concentrating or remembering things.

• Experiencing physical problems like headache, stomachache or sexual dysfunction.

• Suicidal thoughts. 

Difference between Stress, Anxiety and Depression? 

In SImple words, while stress is normal, depression and anxiety are more serious and are ongoing conditions that can occur as a reaction to stress. All the three medical conditions require different help than just stress management.