The line between anxiety and depression is thin. A line that is often blurred. Although 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 having major depression as a secondary condition. These researchers also stated that severely depressed people become anxious. In order to better understand anxiety and depression, one must first clearly define the two conditions, understand the causes, examine the symptoms involved, and review the different treatment options available. Anxiety is a normal reaction to stress. Every person experiences some form of anxiety during their life. Anxiety helps us cope with tense situations, such as using our flight or fight response, studying harder for a test, or staying focused on important deadlines. Anxiety can be helpful to the point of interfering with daily life. Some people blame this on not being able to stop the anxiety. When anxiety develops into excessive, 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 ages 18 and older (National Institute of Mental Health, 2009). There are five major anxiety disorders: generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and phobias. Like anxiety, depression can take many forms, but unlike anxiety. , he ...... middle of paper ...... regain control of their lives. Works cited Cassano, 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.php Croft, H. (2010). The line between anxiety and depression. Retrieved from Healthy Place, Americas 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). Treating anxiety disorders. NIH Medline plus, 5(3), 15-18. Retrieved from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/magazine/issues/fall10/articles/fall10pg15.html