Is It Anxiety or Depression? Take This Self-Assessment
If you’re wondering “is it anxiety or depression,” this interactive assessment uses clinical criteria to help you understand whether you’re experiencing anxiety, depression, or both conditions.
Maria had been feeling terrible for months. “I can’t tell if it’s anxiety or depression,” she told her therapist at Resolutions Therapy. “I’m exhausted, can’t concentrate, and feel on edge all the time. But I also feel hopeless. Which one is it?” Her therapist explained that this confusion is extremely common—and there’s a reason why.
According to research published in Primary Care Companion to The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, between 10% and 20% of adults visit their primary care physician during an anxiety or depressive episode, and more than 50% of these patients suffer from both conditions simultaneously. The question “is it anxiety or depression” assumes they’re separate—but research shows they often coexist.
A comprehensive 2021 study in the Journal of Affective Disorders analyzing the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety (NESDA) found that comorbidity of anxiety and depression is “the rule, not the exception.” In their clinical sample, 65% of participants met criteria for both conditions, 18.2% had depression only, and 16.8% had anxiety only.
At Resolutions Therapy in Wichita, Kansas, our therapists help clients navigate this diagnostic complexity regularly. This self-assessment is based on clinical criteria used to differentiate anxiety disorders from depressive disorders. Understanding which condition you’re experiencing—or whether you have both—is the first step toward effective treatment.
Table of Contents
- Why Anxiety and Depression Are So Confusing
- Take the Interactive Assessment
- Understanding Your Results
- What Research Shows About Comorbidity
- Treatment When You Have Both
- Getting Help at Resolutions Therapy
- Frequently Asked Questions
Why “Is It Anxiety or Depression?” Is Such a Common Question
The difficulty distinguishing between anxiety and depression isn’t just in your head—there are legitimate clinical reasons why these conditions are so easily confused.
Overlapping Symptoms
Both conditions cause concentration problems, sleep disturbances, fatigue, irritability, and difficulty functioning. According to BMC Medicine research on comorbid depression and anxiety, “worrying” and “feeling irritated” function as bridge symptoms that connect both conditions, making them particularly hard to separate.
High Co-Occurrence Rates
A 2025 study in Clinical Psychological Science found that 45.7% of individuals with lifetime major depressive disorder also had a history of anxiety disorders. When depression and anxiety travel together this frequently, separating them becomes clinically challenging.
Anxiety Can Cause Depression (and Vice Versa)
Research from the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety shows that anxiety symptoms often predate depressive symptoms. Living with chronic anxiety is exhausting and demoralizing, commonly leading to secondary depression. Similarly, the hopelessness of depression can trigger significant anxiety about the future.
Is It Anxiety or Depression? Interactive Self-Assessment
This 15-question assessment examines symptoms that help differentiate anxiety from depression. Answer based on your experiences over the past two weeks. Remember: only qualified mental health professionals can provide official diagnoses.
🧠 Clinical Symptom Assessment
15 questions based on diagnostic criteria for anxiety and depressive disorders
Understanding Your Results: The Science Behind the Assessment
The assessment you just completed examines symptoms along dimensions that help differentiate anxiety from depression. Let’s explore what research tells us about each result category.
When It’s Primarily Anxiety
Anxiety disorders are characterized by excessive worry, fear, or apprehension that’s disproportionate to the actual threat. According to diagnostic criteria, key distinguishing features include future-oriented thinking (“what if” thoughts), physical arousal (heart racing, sweating), and avoidance of anxiety-triggering situations.
Research shows anxiety often has an earlier age of onset compared to depression. The Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety found that when comorbidity exists with anxiety as the first lifetime disorder, there’s a longer duration of symptoms and earlier age at first onset compared to depression-first comorbidity.
When It’s Primarily Depression
Depressive disorders involve persistent low mood, loss of interest or pleasure, and feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness. The focus is past-oriented—ruminating on failures, regrets, and perceived inadequacies. Unlike anxiety’s arousal, depression brings slowing—of thoughts, movements, and energy.
A key distinguishing feature is anhedonia—the inability to experience pleasure from previously enjoyable activities. This symptom is specific to depression and less common in pure anxiety disorders.
When It’s Both: Co-Occurring Conditions
The 2025 research in Clinical Psychological Science examining comorbid anxiety and depression found that 45.7% of individuals with lifetime major depressive disorder also had a history of one or more anxiety disorders. The NESDA study reported even higher rates in clinical samples: 65% comorbidity.
When both conditions coexist, research indicates worse outcomes: higher severity, more chronicity, slower recovery, increased recurrence rates, and greater functional impairment. This is why accurate assessment and comprehensive treatment are crucial.
What Research Shows About Anxiety and Depression Comorbidity
📊 Key Research Findings on Comorbidity
Prevalence: According to PMC research on primary care patients, more than 50% of patients with depression or anxiety have a comorbid second condition.
Bridge Symptoms: A 2020 BMC Medicine study identified “worrying” and “feeling irritated” as bridge mental states that funnel symptom activation between anxiety and depression clusters.
Clinical Impact: The presence of comorbidity substantially increases medical utilization and is associated with greater chronicity, slower recovery, increased rates of recurrence, and greater psychosocial disability compared to single disorders.
Treatment Response: Research from 2021 naturalistic studies shows that patients with and without comorbid depression benefit similarly from anxiety treatment, though comorbid patients start with more severe symptoms.
Treatment Approaches When You Have Both Anxiety and Depression
When anxiety and depression co-occur, treatment must address both conditions simultaneously. Fortunately, several evidence-based approaches are effective for both.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is the most extensively researched psychotherapy for both anxiety and depression. It works by identifying and changing thought patterns and behaviors that maintain symptoms. At Resolutions Therapy, our therapists are trained in CBT protocols that address both conditions.
CBT for comorbid anxiety and depression focuses on cognitive restructuring (challenging anxious and depressive thoughts), behavioral activation (increasing engagement in meaningful activities), and exposure (gradually facing anxiety-provoking situations).
Medication Options
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) are FDA-approved for both anxiety and depressive disorders. According to research on comorbidity treatment, SSRIs are the preferred treatment based on efficacy, safety, and tolerability criteria.
Common medications that treat both conditions include escitalopram, sertraline, venlafaxine, and duloxetine. At Resolutions Therapy, we coordinate with prescribers to ensure integrated care.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
DBT is particularly helpful when emotional dysregulation is prominent—when emotions feel overwhelming and difficult to manage. DBT teaches mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness skills. Many people with comorbid anxiety and depression benefit from DBT’s emphasis on accepting and changing simultaneously.
Lifestyle Factors That Help Both Conditions
Research published in Frontiers in Psychology 2024 examining lifestyle factors found that physical activity, nutrition, and social relationships significantly impact both anxiety and depression symptoms. These aren’t replacements for professional treatment, but important complementary factors.
Getting Help at Resolutions Therapy in Wichita, Kansas
Based on your assessment results, here’s how to move forward with professional help.
How Resolutions Therapy Can Help
Comprehensive mental health treatment in Wichita:
- Evidence-based therapy: CBT, DBT, EMDR, and other proven approaches for anxiety and depression
- Expert assessment: Professional diagnosis to determine whether you have anxiety, depression, or both
- Medication coordination: We work with prescribers when medication is appropriate
- Flexible scheduling: Evening and weekend appointments across three Wichita locations
- Insurance accepted: Most major insurance plans plus sliding scale $60-$125 for self-pay
- Telehealth available: Online therapy throughout Kansas for those who prefer virtual sessions
📞 Call Resolutions Therapy: (316) 721-8118
Three Locations in Wichita:
• West Wichita: 982 N. Tyler Suite B, Wichita, KS 67212
• Downtown Wichita: 807 N Waco Ave, Suite 11, Wichita, KS 67203
• East Wichita: 8080 E. Central Suite 230, Wichita, KS 67206
Same-week appointments typically available | Telehealth throughout Kansas
Frequently Asked Questions: Is It Anxiety or Depression?
Can you have both anxiety and depression at the same time?
Yes, absolutely. According to research in the Journal of Affective Disorders, 65% of people seeking treatment for anxiety or depression have both conditions simultaneously. This is called comorbid anxiety and depression. The conditions often feed into each other—chronic anxiety is exhausting and can lead to depression, while depression can trigger significant anxiety about the future. Treatment addresses both conditions together.
What if I can’t tell which one I have?
This confusion is completely normal and exactly why professional assessment is valuable. Anxiety and depression share many overlapping symptoms—sleep problems, concentration difficulties, irritability, and fatigue occur in both. A therapist at Resolutions Therapy can conduct a comprehensive assessment examining symptom patterns, timeline, triggers, and your unique experience to provide accurate diagnosis. Even if you have both conditions, knowing this helps guide effective treatment.
Does having both conditions make treatment harder?
Comorbid anxiety and depression typically requires more intensive treatment and may take longer to respond, but both conditions are highly treatable together. The good news is that many evidence-based treatments work for both—particularly Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and certain medications like SSRIs. Research shows that patients with comorbid conditions benefit from treatment, though they often start with more severe symptoms. At Resolutions Therapy, we’re experienced in treating complex presentations and adjust treatment accordingly.
Can anxiety turn into depression or vice versa?
Yes, research shows bidirectional relationships. The Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety found that anxiety symptoms often predate depressive symptoms—chronic anxiety is exhausting, demoralizing, and can lead to secondary depression. Conversely, the hopelessness of depression can trigger significant anxiety about the future. They also commonly fluctuate over time, with one being more prominent at different periods. This is why treating the presenting condition promptly is important—it may prevent the secondary condition from developing.
How long does treatment for anxiety or depression take?
For single conditions (anxiety or depression alone), 12-20 sessions of CBT often produces significant improvement, typically over 3-6 months. For comorbid anxiety and depression, treatment may take 6-12 months or longer depending on severity. Medication, if used, typically takes 4-8 weeks to reach full effect. At Resolutions Therapy, we monitor progress regularly and adjust treatment as needed. Some people continue maintenance therapy long-term to prevent relapse, while others complete acute treatment and return as needed.
Do I need medication or is therapy enough?
This depends on severity and your preference. For mild to moderate anxiety or depression, therapy alone (particularly CBT) is often effective. For moderate to severe symptoms, research shows that combination treatment (therapy plus medication) produces the best outcomes. For comorbid anxiety and depression, medication is more frequently recommended because SSRIs/SNRIs treat both conditions simultaneously. At Resolutions Therapy, we provide honest guidance about when medication might be beneficial and coordinate with prescribers, but you make the final decision about your treatment.
Ready to Get Clear Answers?
Whether you’re experiencing anxiety, depression, or both, Resolutions Therapy provides expert assessment and evidence-based treatment. Don’t struggle alone—help is available.
Three Wichita locations | Same-week appointments | Most insurance accepted
In-person and telehealth throughout Kansas
About This Assessment: This self-assessment tool was developed based on clinical diagnostic criteria for anxiety and depressive disorders and peer-reviewed research on symptom differentiation. It is designed for educational purposes and to help you understand your symptoms, not to provide a diagnosis. Only qualified mental health professionals can diagnose anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, or other mental health conditions after comprehensive clinical evaluation.
Medical Disclaimer: This assessment is not a substitute for professional mental health evaluation and treatment. If you indicated suicidal thoughts, please seek immediate help by calling 988 (Suicide Prevention Lifeline), texting HOME to 741741 (Crisis Text Line), calling Resolutions Therapy at (316) 721-8118, or going to your nearest emergency room. Mental health conditions are treatable, and help is available.
Last Updated: February 2026 | Research Sources: Information based on peer-reviewed research from PMC on comorbidity in primary care, the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety (NESDA), Journal of Affective Disorders systematic reviews, BMC Medicine studies on bridge symptoms, Clinical Psychological Science research on treatment outcomes, and current diagnostic criteria. All research citations are linked throughout the article.
📞 Resolutions Therapy: (316) 721-8118
West: 982 N Tyler Suite B | Downtown: 807 N Waco Ave #11 | East: 8080 E Central #230
Serving Wichita, Kansas and surrounding communities
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