The Science Behind Depression & Anxiety

Have you ever had depression or anxiety? The American Psychological Association defines anxiety as an emotion. This emotion is characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts, and physical changes like increased blood pressure. Depression, conversely, is a common mental disorder defined by pervasive feelings of despair, worthlessness, and guilt. Those who suffer from depression may gain or lose weight, oversleep or struggle to rest, find it difficult to concentrate, or experience any feelings of hope or positivity. 

Feelings of anxiety or symptoms of depression may feel like a result of circumstances going on outside, but in reality, they are caused by what's going on inside. Two people may go through identical circumstances and respond differently depending on their background, current life circumstances, and chemical makeup. 

Symptoms of Anxiety & Depression 

Before we go into the science behind them, let's consider the symptoms of anxiety and depression. We already have the description of what they are, but how does this play out in day-to-day life? 

The DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Health Disorders) defines General Anxiety Disorder as: 

• Excessive levels of worry that persist for more than six months

• Challenges to controlling worry, worry shifts from one topic to another 

• Feelings of fear or anxiety accompany at least three of six possible physical characteristics, including edginess, fatigue, brain fog, irritation, muscle aches, or disrupted sleep patterns

Meeting these three criteria results in a Generalized Anxiety Disorder diagnosis. 

Depression (or Major Depressive Disorder), according to DSM-5, carries eight possible symptoms:

• Daily depressed mood 

• Diminished interest in pleasurable activities 

• Significant weight loss or gain 

• Impaired cognitive function 

• Fatigue 

• Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt 

• Inability to think, concentrate or make decisions

• Thoughts of suicide or suicidal ideation 

For a diagnosis, the person in question must experience at least five of these eight symptoms over the last two weeks, including depressed mood or lack of interest in pleasurable activities. 

The Science Behind Depression & Anxiety

When a person is experiencing the symptoms of anxiety and depression, what exactly is going on inside their bodies? Science says there is a disruption to the flow of neurotransmitters. These brain chemicals are responsible for the movement of messages throughout the brain and body, like plugging a machine into a charge point. What chemicals make up this current? 

• Dopamine - is the "feel good" chemical, activating our feelings of pleasure, reward, and connection. Dopamine acts as a positive-reinforcement loop, motivating us to engage in certain activities like exercise or sex. 

• Serotonin - concentrated in the gut, this chemical relays information about our emotional state and our needs for food and sleep. Lack of serotonin leads to difficulty regulating emotions and reduced gut health. 

• Norepinephrine - holds the key to our "fight-or-flight" response. Contained within the sympathetic nervous system, this neurotransmitter processes the hormone adrenaline, and directly impacts the flow of blood around our body. 

Low levels of these crucial neurotransmitters interfere with the body's ability to eat, sleep, learn new things, and experience joy. Experiencing high levels of panic and depression can be very frightening. Even if it feels like it will never go away, you can and deserve to feel better. 

If you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms of depression or anxiety and are feeling helpless - just know that help is out there. There is light at the end of the tunnel, and it’s literally only a phone call away.

Reach out to have a confidential, no-strings-attached phone call with a member of our team who will be happy to answer all of your questions.