The Hidden Link Between Anxiety and Depression

Anxiety and depression are two of the most common mental health challenges in the U.S., and they often show up together. Maybe you’ve experienced that mix of racing thoughts and heavy exhaustion, or that cycle where constant worry leaves you drained and hopeless.

While these conditions can exist separately, they often overlap. In fact, many people are diagnosed with both at the same time. At LynLake Centers for WellBeing, we help clients understand how these two conditions interact with each other, and how to treat them in a way that supports the whole person.

How Anxiety and Depression Feed Into Each Other

Anxiety is often described as an overactive alarm system, while depression can feel like a dimming of light and energy. But in real life, they share many symptoms, such as,

• Persistent negative thoughts
• Physical symptoms like headaches, muscle tension, or stomach issues
• Changes in sleep and appetite
• Avoidance of activities once enjoyed
  

Another reason these two conditions tend to co-exist is that anxiety can be both exhausting and isolating, which can then make someone more susceptible to depression. For example, someone with generalized anxiety might find it overwhelming to make plans with friends or engage in new activities outside their home because they are preoccupied with fears of all the negative things that might happen. To reduce that feeling of overwhelm, they cancel plans, which immediately provides relief. Over time, however, the withdrawal and isolation that initially felt so good often transforms into depression as their world gets smaller and lonelier. 

On the flip side, someone who has been experiencing a prolonged depressive episode may have isolated themselves from others for so long that they feel anxious and overwhelmed at the thought of going back out into the world. The longer they isolate, the more anxious they become when making plans to rejoin the people and activities they once enjoyed. Moreover, they may worry about what other people will think about them after having withdrawn from society for weeks or months. How will they explain their absence? How will they respond to people’s questions, concerns – or even criticism? 

Why It’s So Common

Anxiety disorders affect about 40 million adults each year, and depression isn’t far behind. Research shows that nearly half of those with depression also have an anxiety disorder.

This connection isn’t random—shared risk factors like genetics, trauma, chronic stress, and major life changes can all set the stage for both. Without treatment, the combination can interfere with work, relationships, and overall health.

Recognizing When It Might Be Both

If you’re not sure whether you’re experiencing anxiety, depression, or both, here are some common signs:

Depression Symptoms:

• Ongoing sadness or low mood
• Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy
• Fatigue or low energy
• Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
• Trouble focusing or making decisions

Anxiety Symptoms:

• Persistent worry or fear
• Racing heartbeat, shortness of breath, or stomach upset
• Irritability or restlessness
• Trouble sleeping
• Avoiding situations that feel overwhelming
  

When these sets of symptoms overlap, everyday responsibilities can feel impossible.

Why Treatment Needs to Address Both

Treating only one can leave the other unaddressed—and that can make relapse more likely. That’s why at LynLake, we use integrated approaches that target both conditions at the same time.

One of our go-to therapies is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). CBT helps you:

• Recognize thought patterns that feed anxiety and depression
• Challenge beliefs that keep you stuck
• Reduce avoidance and rebuild healthy routines
• Manage physical symptoms through relaxation and grounding techniques
  

By focusing on the shared roots of anxiety and depression, CBT offers tools you can keep using long after therapy ends.

The Role of Medication

For some people, therapy is enough. For others—especially with more severe symptoms—medication can help create the stability needed to fully engage in therapy.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are a common choice because they can improve both depression and anxiety by supporting healthy brain chemistry. At LynLake, we collaborate closely with prescribing providers so your plan fits your specific needs.

Life Beyond Symptom Management

Recovery isn’t only about lowering symptoms—it’s about rebuilding a life that feels worth living. When anxiety and depression are in play, daily life can shrink to survival mode: wake up, work, come home, repeat.

We help clients reintroduce things that bring energy and joy—physical activity, hobbies, social connection, and rest. Small steps matter. A client who once loved painting might start by sketching for just five minutes a day. Over time, that small spark can grow into more creativity, more connection, and more resilience.

Why Early Intervention Matters

The sooner you get support, the easier it is to interrupt the cycle. Left untreated, the combination of anxiety and depression can increase the risk of substance abuse, chronic illness, and worsening mental health. But even if you’ve been struggling for years, change is still possible. We’ve seen clients find relief after decades once they had the right tools and support.

You Don’t Have to Do This Alone

If you’re living with both anxiety and depression, it’s not a personal failing—it’s a treatable set of conditions that many people experience. At LynLake Centers for WellBeing, we offer therapy, nutrition therapy, and integrative wellness services designed to help you manage both at the same time.

Together, we can help you break the cycle, feel more grounded, and create a life with more balance, joy, and connection. When you’re ready, we’re here to take that first step with you.

Understanding the Difference Between Normal Worry and an Anxiety Disorder

We all worry from time to time—about finances, relationships, work, or health. Even current events in the news can cause us to spend a decent amount of time worrying. But how do you know when worry or anxiety cross the line into something more problematic? In other words, when does anxiety become an anxiety disorder?

At LynLake Centers for Wellbeing, we help individuals recognize when their constant worries may be a sign of a more persistent issue, such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) or another type of anxiety disorder. Knowing the difference can be the first step toward getting the right support and care.

Normal Worry vs. Anxiety Disorder

Worry is a natural response to uncertainty. Anxiety is how our bodies anticipate and prepare for threats to our safety. Both worry and anxiety serve a purpose—prompting us to take action, plan ahead, or problem solve. Anxiety keeps us alive. However, in a healthy context, worry is usually short-lived and doesn’t take over your life. “Normal” anxiety is present only when there is an actual threat – or a realistic potential threat – to our wellbeing.

An anxiety disorder, on the other hand, involves excessive worrying that lasts for weeks or months, even when there’s no immediate threat. These feelings can begin to interfere with daily life and disrupt your ability to focus, sleep, and complete daily activities. People suffering from an anxiety disorder become preoccupied with the fear that something bad will happen if they don’t remain constantly vigilant. They often believe the threat of danger is worse than it actually is, and that if that bad thing does happen, they will not be able to handle it.

It’s important to keep in mind that anxiety is not “disordered” if you are living under constant threat of harm. For example, if you live in a neighborhood where gun violence is commonplace, being anxious most of the time when you are at or near your home is a perfectly normal response to your environment. If you are getting bullied every day at school, being afraid of going to school is your anxiety doing exactly what it is supposed to do: it is trying to keep you safe.

If you’re unable to control your worries, or if anxiety is limiting your ability to function, it may be time to consider speaking with a mental health professional. Even if your worry or anxiety are because of very real threats to your health and wellbeing, therapy can still help provide you with the support you need to build resilience in the face of adversity.

Common Signs of an Anxiety Disorder

People with an anxiety disorder often experience a mix of emotional and physical symptoms. While each person’s experience may differ, some common red flags include:

• Muscle tension, restlessness, or feeling “on edge”
• Fatigue or trouble sleeping
• Difficulty concentrating
• Avoidance of certain situations due to fear or worry
• Panic attacks – sudden waves of intense fear, heart racing, and shortness of breath
• Ongoing worry that feels out of proportion to the situation
• Social avoidance, which may indicate social phobia
• These symptoms do not appear to be directly related (or proportional) to events or situations happening in your life right now

These symptoms often go beyond occasional stress and begin to affect relationships, work, and daily functioning.

Types of Anxiety Disorders

There are several types of anxiety disorders, each with distinct features:

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Persistent, excessive worry about everyday issues—often with physical symptoms like headaches or stomachaches.
• Panic Disorder: Characterized by recurrent, unexpected panic attacks and ongoing fear of having more.
• Social Phobia (also called Social Anxiety Disorder): Intense fear of social judgment, criticism, or rejection, leading to avoidance of public or group settings.
• Other forms include phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, separation anxiety, and health anxiety.

Each type may impact people differently, but all can be treated effectively with the right approach.

Treatments for Anxiety

Fortunately, anxiety disorders are highly treatable. One of the most effective treatments is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)—a short-term, evidence-based approach that helps people identify and reframe negative thought patterns. CBT also equips you with tools to manage symptoms and improve your daily functioning.

Other effective treatments for anxiety may include:

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
• Mindfulness and relaxation techniques
• Exposure therapy (especially helpful for phobias and social anxiety)
• Exposure with Response Prevention (ERP), for obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Medication and supplements, when recommended by a medical provider
• Lifestyle changes such as improved sleep, exercise, and reduced caffeine

Working with a mental health professional allows you to find the approach that best suits your needs and symptoms.

When to Seek Help

It’s normal to experience occasional stress—but if worry becomes constant, intrusive, and overwhelming, it may be more than just stress. If your anxiety is impacting your relationships, job, or daily activities, seeking support is a sign of strength—not weakness.

At LynLake Centers for Wellbeing, we’re here to help you better understand your experiences and take steps toward lasting relief. With the right guidance, people with anxiety can regain control and live with more peace and confidence.

You don’t have to live with overwhelming worry.
Reach out to our team today to learn more about CBT and other anxiety treatment options, and reclaim your sense of calm.