There is a fine line between anxiety and depression. A line that is often blurred. While there are differences between the two, they also share many similarities, which can lead to false diagnoses for patients. It becomes even more complicated when both diseases are present. For example, the National Institute of Mental Health (2009) conducted a study on anxiety disorders and found that 53.7% of people reported also experiencing major depression as a secondary condition. These researchers also stated that severely depressed people become anxious. To better understand anxiety and depression you must first clearly define the two conditions, understand their causes, examine the symptoms involved, and examine the different treatment options available. Anxiety is a normal reaction to stress. Every person experiences some form of anxiety throughout their lives. Anxiety helps us deal with tense situations such as using our flight or fight response, studying harder for an exam, or maintaining focus on important deadlines. Anxiety can be helpful until it gets to the point of interfering with everyday life. Some people explain it as the inability to turn off anxiety. When anxiety becomes an excessive and irrational fear of everyday situations, it becomes a disabling disorder (National Institute of Mental Health, 2009). Each year, anxiety disorders affect approximately 40 million American adults aged 18 and older (National Institute of Mental Health, 2009). There are five main anxiety disorders: generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and phobias. Like anxiety, depression can come in many forms but unlike anxiety, it......middle of paper......gain control of your life.Works CitedCassano, P. Fava, M (2002). Depression and public health: an overview. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 53, 849–857. Retrieved from http://www.psychology.com/resources/depression.phpCroft, H. (2010). The border between anxiety and depression. Retrieved from Healthy Place, an American mental health website: http://www.healthyplace.com/anxiety-panic/insights-into-anxiety/line-between-anxiety-and-depression/menu-id-1233/National Institute of Mental Health. (2009). Studying anxiety disorders. NIH Medline Plus, 5, 13-15. Retrieved from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/anxiety-disorders/complete-index.shtmlNational Institute of Mental Health. (2010). Treat anxiety disorders. NIH Medline plus, 5(3), 15-18. Retrieved from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/magazine/issues/fall10/articles/fall10pg15.html