What are Anxiety and Depression?

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Anxiety and Depression

People experiencing anxiety and depression can feel isolated and alone, but they aren’t. Depression affects 15 million people in the United States each year, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Anxiety disorders affect an estimated 40 million people annually, says the Anxiety Disorder Association of America. This guide will help you understand these disorders, learn about the many available treatment options and reassure you that you aren’t alone.

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What are Anxiety and Depression?

For years, many people believed depression was just feeling sad or out of sorts, and anxious people were considered hyper or sensitive, but both are medical issues with a biological basis. In this section, learn how depression and anxiety differ from everyday sadness and worry.

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Depression and anxiety are closely related disorders, and it’s not uncommon for a person who has one to have the other. As a result, many Web sites address both disorders.

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For an overview of depression …

NetDoctor.co.uk is a Web site based in the United Kingdom that offers brief overviews of depression, its symptoms and treatment. This page also offers advice for people who are depressed.

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Medscape’s “Depression Basics” page provides information on depression in a question-and-answer format. Readers must register (it’s free) to see the page.

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WomensHealthChannel provides an overview of depression that includes the most common symptoms and a “Depression Self Test Calculator.” Use the links on the left sidebar to find more information, such as prognosis, treatment and living with depression.

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For an overview of anxiety …

The Anxiety Disorders Association of America provides a page that reviews the different types of anxiety. Click on a specific disorder to learn more and take self-tests for each.

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eMedicineHealth’s “Anxiety” section provides an explanation of anxiety with several links to more information, such as its causes, symptoms and outlook, and when to seek medical care.

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The American Academy of Family Physicians has an “Anxiety & Panic” section that discusses what anxiety is, different types of anxiety, panic disorders, phobias and more. Look for links to related topics such as generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia and post-traumatic stress disorder at the end of the article.

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For depression in seniors …

The Geriatric Mental Health Foundation provides a “Depression Recovery Toolkit” that includes a series of fact sheets on topics such as “What is Late-Life Depression—The Facts,” “Monitoring Your Symptoms of Depression” and “Caregiving—The Role of Family Members and Friends.”

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