Understanding Depression Anxiety

Understanding Depression & Anxiety
Everyone faces challenges in life that may make them feel sad, irritated, hopeless or angry.
Occasional bad moods or sadness doesn’t mean you have depression.
Depression affects your mood, thought, behaviour and health.
Depression and anxiety affect people differently.

If you are unsure if you are depressed think about No two people will have the same symptoms.
how long your symptoms have been present, how While depression and anxiety both have specific
severe they are, and how different you are from symptoms, they also some in common.
your usual self. Depression
• Have you lost interest in activities or friends that Physical
you used to enjoy? • you feel tired or low
• Have you been feeling hopeless, lost or helpless? • you have lower energy
• Have you been feeling this way over weeks or Mood
months? • you feel sad or irritable most of the time
If you answered yes then you may be • you feel hopeless or helpless
experiencing depression. Thoughts & Behaviour
If you have depression, you may also have anxiety. • you feel guilty or worthless
Anxiety is not the same as depression, but there • you have lost interest in things you like to do
are some common symptoms and they can • you have thoughts of death or suicide
happen at the same time.
Anxiety
Physical
Anxiety is an uncomfortable feeling of uneasiness, • you feel short of breath, shaky, dizzy, your heart
fear or worry that is the body’s natural response beats rapidly, & you feel a tightness in your chest
to danger. Anxiety is the alarm bell that goes off Mood
when you feel threatened, under pressure or are • you worry something bad is going to happen
facing a difficult situation. At times, anxiety can • you worry all the time
help you stay focused and alert. But, when anxiety • you are extremely afraid of specific things or
is constant or takes over and starts to interfere with situations
your relationships and activities, it is not helpful. Thoughts & Behaviour
• Are you constantly tense, worried or on edge? • you try to avoid situations that make you feel
• Do you avoid situations or activities because you anxious
feel anxious? • you have nervous habits
• Do you have fears you know are irrational, but • you blame yourself if something isn’t perfect
can’t shake? Common to Depression & Anxiety
• Do you experience sudden, unexpected attacks of
Physical
heart-pounding panic?
• you have headaches, body aches & pains or
You might be experiencing anxiety. Anxiety affects upset stomach
your mood, thought, behaviour and health. • you sleep too much or too little
• you eat too much or too little
Mood
• you have problems concentrating
• you feel irritable & keyed up
Thoughts & Behaviour
• you say negative things to yourself
• you might not want to hang out with family
& friends
If you feel so down that you can’t see any solutions
besides harming yourself or harming others, you
need to get help right away. Call 911 or go to the
nearest emergency department.
Most of the time, you will start by seeing a doctor to determine if what you are feeling is depression and/
or anxiety. They will ask about your symptoms, any recent stressful events, current alcohol or drug use
and any medications/over the counter supplements that you have taken.
There are a lot of possibilities for treatment (e.g., talk therapy, group therapy, medication, etc.). If you
have depression and anxiety, both need to be treated. Your health care professional will talk to you about
your options. Treatment options should be helpful and easy to understand. Ask questions if anything is
not clear. If you are not comfortable with the person you are seeing, it is okay to ask for someone else.
Yes, your parents or caregiver will be involved in decisions about treatment options and medications. If
talking therapy, psychotherapy or counselling is part of your treatment plan your health care professional
may ask you if your family can be part of a session. It is often helpful to have your family involved but this
will depend on your circumstances. Talk to your health care provider if you have questions about how
much your family will be involved in your treatment.
In addition to what your health care professional suggests, it is helpful to:
• eat healthy
• be active
• get enough sleep
• practice stress reduction techniques (e.g., yoga, listening to music, breathing etc.)
• try something creative (e.g., writing, art, dance, etc.)
• connect with others
• avoid alcohol, tobacco & drugs
• learn about depression or anxiety (i.e., bibliotherapy)
It takes courage to ask for help. If you don’t know where to

turn or you want speak to someone in private, you can call:
(available in Alberta 24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
Mental Health Help Line: 1-877-303-2642
Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868
Addiction Help Line: 1-866-332-2322
Health Link: 811
www.kidshelpphone.ca
www.kidshealth.org
www.mindyoumind.ca
To order free copies of this resource visit https://dol.datacm.com/

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Understanding Depression & Anxiety

Depression and anxiety affect people differently.

It takes courage to ask for help. If you don’t know where to

To order free copies of this resource visit https://dol.datacm.com/

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