It’s essential to remember that the symptoms of anxious depression can vary in severity and presentation among individuals. A comprehensive evaluation by a qualified mental health professional is crucial to properly diagnose and differentiate anxious depression from other mood and anxiety disorders. With appropriate treatment, including psychotherapy, medication, and lifestyle changes, individuals with anxious depression can find relief and improve their overall well-being.

Depressive Symptoms

• Persistent Sadness: Individuals with anxious depression often experience a deep and pervasive sense of sadness, hopelessness, or emptiness. This feeling may be present most of the day, nearly every day.
• Loss of Interest or Pleasure: Anhedonia is a hallmark symptom of depression. It involves a significant decrease or loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable or pleasurable. Hobbies, social interactions, and previously loved activities may no longer bring joy.
• Fatigue and Low Energy: People with anxious depression often feel exhausted and lack energy, even after minimal physical or mental exertion. Everyday tasks may become challenging and overwhelming.
• Feelings of Worthlessness or Guilt: Individuals may experience a persistent sense of worthlessness or excessive guilt, even over minor events. They may excessively blame themselves for past mistakes or perceive themselves as a burden to others.
• Sleep Disturbances: Anxious depression can lead to various sleep disturbances, such as insomnia (difficulty falling or staying asleep) or hypersomnia (excessive sleepiness and prolonged sleep).
• Appetite Changes and Weight Fluctuations: Depressive symptoms can lead to changes in appetite, resulting in weight loss or weight gain.

Anxiety Symptoms

• Excessive Worry: Anxious depression includes symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder, characterized by excessive and uncontrollable worry about various aspects of life, such as health, work, relationships, and the future.

• Restlessness and Agitation: Individuals may experience restlessness and an inability to relax, feeling constantly on edge and tense.

• Physical Symptoms of Anxiety: Anxiety can manifest in physical symptoms, including muscle tension, trembling, sweating, and a racing heart.

• Difficulty Concentrating: Cognitive impairments are common in both depression and anxiety. Individuals may have trouble concentrating, making decisions, and remembering things.

• Irritability: Feelings of irritability and being easily agitated may be present, leading to a reduced tolerance for frustration or triggering angry outbursts.

Comorbid Symptoms

• Rumination: Anxious depression may lead to repetitive and negative thought patterns, known as rumination, where the individual fixates on their worries and depressive thoughts.

• Psychomotor Retardation or Agitation: Some individuals may experience slowed movements and speech (psychomotor retardation), while others may feel restless and display increased physical activity (psychomotor agitation).

• Suicidal Thoughts: In severe cases, individuals with anxious depression may experience recurrent thoughts of death or suicide. If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide, seek immediate help from a mental health professional or a crisis helpline.