An Investigation into the Relationship between Anxiety and Depression among University Students

This paper explores anxiety and depression at length including a discussion on their similarities and differences. Other areas that will be examined in this research paper include describing just what anxiety is and how this mental disorder presents, different types of anxiety disorders and their symptoms and what treatment interventions are offered that help cope with this disorder. Depression is also explored as well as its prevalence, signs and symptoms of this mental health diagnosis and different ways depression is treated. Other factors included in this research paper will also explore how both anxiety and depression can affect one’s occupational performance.

One of the biggest problems among students within post-secondary are the struggling issues of mental health such as depression, anxiety or stress which leads to the failure of adequate nutrition. The age of when mental disorders are clear to one’s self is between the age of 18 to 24 as this is the age of many adolescents are going into higher education (Kessler et al., 2005) . University students who struggle with depression and anxiety majority of the time is caused by the academic stress of being a leading cause of their mental health. As a survey was conducted by campus counselors, many found an outstanding factor of parental pressure for high grades from their child causing many students stress, depression and anxiety which elevates expectations within the student (Watkins et al. 2001, p. 322). These high rates are due to the feeling of being badgered to achieve high grades and maintain their grades while balancing their social life.

Anxiety is a psychological disorder that affects many people, both mentally and physically. There are many different types of people who live with this disorder, from the young adults to the older generations and from female to male. There are various ways that the disorder may transform the life of the individual who go through the everyday effects of anxiety. A recent study from the Anxiety and Depression Association of America shows that “Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S, affecting 40 million adults in the United States age 18 and older, or 18% of the population.”(ADAA), with it being the most common disorder, it is also the most expensive disorder since people need a lot of help. People think of anxiety as just the usual small form of anxiety like when you drive and get nervous but it can be a lot more than extreme for some people. There are many different forms of anxiety that people can experience, for example social anxiety and various phobias. People have been researching ways to assist people with anxiety and attempt to help find the best methods to help them cope. Studies have been done on how anxiety runs in different cultural groups in america, these studies and more have shown that anxiety and depression usually go together.

Anxiety is a disorder characterized by fear, doubt, and a sense of vulnerability. People with anxiety tend to have less noticeable symptoms than people with depression, as symptoms of anxiety are things such as physical sensations of strong emotions of fear. Depression symptoms are more physical and noticeable from the outside, such as lack of eating or sleep, or lack of interest in doing things. People with depression may become

The authors of this paper created a survey designed to measure depressive symptoms in relation to support and university

Things like self-esteem, loneliness, self-doubt, and depression can often be factors some are forced to face (Michael, pg. 61). As it is the second leading cause of death and affects approximately 14.8 million people 18 years old and above, it is no surprise that college and university students are faced with this growing epidemic. According to the American College Health Association’s National College Health Assessment (ACHA-NCHA), the number of students diagnosed with depression had increased over a four-year span. In 2000, the ACHA-NCHA reported 10.3% of students suffering with depression and by 2004 that same time of year, 14.9% reported depression across 74 campuses in the U.S. with a sample size of 47,202.

One of the many differences between depression and anxiety, is their symptoms. According to Harold Cohen (2016) from psychcentral.com, people with depression have low energy and “..depressed people often feel overwhelmed by the day-to-day tasks and personal relationships so essential to life” (para.2). When someone has depression they lose interest in things they used to love, and they tend to push friends and family away. They also often experience headaches, insomnia, and a change in appetite. Meanwhile, people with anxiety experience panic attacks in situations where other people would not. They also feel restless, they shake and sweat, and they always have a constant worry. The symptoms of anxiety are very different from depression. A person with anxiety would not have low energy, quite the opposite actually. Someone suffering from anxiety has a high energy, but is always in a constant state of worry or fear.

Anxious-depressive disorder, is not itself a disease that is vibrant and existentially threatening, but it certainly affects the quality of life of patients, the level of functioning in society, family and professional environment

College represents a form of higher learning. For many, it is also a time for personal growth as we transition into adulthood. This in itself is a stressful situation as one must make drastic adjustments to a new role, environment, and demands. Stress is a major contributor to the development of mental and emotional issues (Rodgers, L., Tennison, L. 2009). Research has been done to determine the impact of depression and anxiety on university students. It has been

There are quite a few differences between anxiety and depression. Even though when trying to diagnosis them they can be very similar. Depression makes you have feelings of hopelessness, despair and anger. A depressed person's energy levels are low and often feel overwhelmed with tasks that people usually do for everyday things. A person with anxiety experiences fear, panic or anxiety in situations normal people do not. they can also have panic

Many people feel apprehensive and miserable every now and then, but when does it take over their whole lives? Losing a loved one, doing poorly in school or work, being bullied and other hardships might lead a person to feel sad, lonely, scared, nervous and/or anxious. Some people experience this on an everyday basis, sometimes even or no reason at all. Those people might have an anxiety disorder, depression, or both. It is highly likely for someone with an anxiety disorder to also be suffering from depression, or the other way around. 50% of those diagnosed with depression are also diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.

The article Treating depression and anxiety was very beneficial and helped the Researcher learned some new knowledge information anxiety and depression. For example, the article states "Recognizing anxiety and depression can open the door to treatment, while the lack of recognition delays treatment and extents suffering" (Meyers &Bray, 2015). With that being said countless individuals do not comprehend that they are suffering from Depression or even anxiety. Clients sometimes feels ashamed of having anxiety and or depression and they tells themselves that they must be weak to be disposed to the condition. Like previously stated anxiety and depression are the two most common mental health disorder. Individuals with anxiety worries about the future while people with depression are often focused on what

Generalized anxiety is a problem that the United States faces nationwide. As we grow older and move into educational settings that are more taxing, anxiety becomes more prevalent. Today, college students are facing more stress than ever before. They are constantly pushed to be the best they can be, to be in the most extracurricular activities they can be in, and to attend the best schools possible. All of these goals and high expectations lead students to be harder on themselves, which makes other aspects of their life fall by the wayside, leading to high levels of stress and pressure.

Today, more than ever, schools must be educated regarding the mental health of students and any challenges that they may face when working towards academic and social success. There have been many published evidence based approaches when working with students with anxiety or depression, but there are some disorders that have not had the focus that they deserve and leave school counselors and teachers attempting to navigate through services without a thorough understanding of the needs of the students. Attachment disorders fall into this category, specifically reactive attachment disorder (RAD). “Unlike many disorders that are proven or presumed to have a genetic, biochemical, or other internal basis, RAD, by definition, is caused by the environment” (Shaw & Pdez, 2007, p. 71). As a result, there is little evidence of treatments that have had a major effect. However, there are interventions that have been beneficial to supporting the child in the school environment. Attachment disorders are rare within the general population and include only about one percent of children, while these disorders are present in about forty percent of children who were adopted or reside in foster care (Losinski, Katsiyannis, White, & Wiseman, 2016). Children in foster care have been a population that I have worked extensively with and find that they are often times underserved in many aspects. By identifying the etiology, implications for the students, and interventions for school professionals,

Depression and anxiety among college students is something that experts have focused on for the past twenty years. The information they have been gathering ranges from the different stressors of college life to the effects of one's culture on how they deal with depression or anxiety symptoms. They have identified a few core characteristics of depression and thoughts of suicide. These are both serious concepts in which people need to seek help for. It is important for students to reach out to friends, family, or professionals to support them during this time. Many campuses offer counseling centers which are seeing many more people over the past few years.