What is the difference between depression and anxiety?

　　The differences between depression and anxiety generally include variations in behavioral manifestations, emotional expressions, physical symptoms, disease course, and treatment methods. A detailed analysis is as follows:

　　1. Behavioral Differences: Patients with depression exhibit significantly reduced activity levels, characterized by slowed movements and a lack of willingness to participate in social activities. Patients with anxiety, however, tend to display restlessness and hyperactivity, often appearing unable to sit still.

　　2. Emotional Differences: Depression primarily manifests as persistent low mood and sadness, while the core emotional feature of anxiety disorder is excessive and ongoing anxiety and worry.

　　3. Physical Symptoms: Depression is often accompanied by various physical discomforts, such as sleep disturbances, changes in appetite, and physical fatigue. Headaches, dizziness, palpitations, and other discomforts may also occur. Anxiety disorders mainly present with symptoms such as rapid breathing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, sweating, and hand tremors, which typically appear during episodes of anxiety and subside as the anxiety eases.

　　4. Disease Course: Depression typically follows a longer course, with severe symptoms during episodes and symptom relief or disappearance during remission periods. Anxiety disorders may also exhibit a chronic and fluctuating course, with varying severity over time.

　　5. Treatment Methods: Depression is commonly treated with antidepressants, such as maprotiline hydrochloride tablets or clomipramine hydrochloride tablets, as directed by a physician. Anxiety disorders are usually managed with anti-anxiety medications, such as estazolam tablets or alprazolam tablets, also under medical guidance.

　　If related mental symptoms occur, it is recommended to seek timely medical consultation to clarify the condition and follow medical advice for appropriate treatment to avoid delays in care.