Are autonomic nervous system disorders and anxiety-depression considered diseases?

Generally speaking, autonomic nerve dysfunction and anxiety or depression are not the same disease, but they are closely related and often influence each other. Detailed analysis is as follows:

Autonomic nerve dysfunction is a functional disorder of the nervous system, primarily caused by an imbalance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, leading to abnormal bodily functions. The core manifestations include somatic symptoms such as palpitations, chest tightness, sweating, gastrointestinal dysfunction, and dizziness. There are no clear emotional or cognitive core symptoms, and diagnosis requires exclusion of organic diseases. Anxiety and depression belong to mental and psychological disorders, with emotional and cognitive symptoms as the core. Anxiety disorder is mainly characterized by excessive worry, fear, and restlessness; depression is characterized by persistent low mood, loss of interest, and reduced sense of self-worth. Both conditions may be accompanied by somatic symptoms.

Long-term anxiety and depression can activate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, affecting autonomic nerve function and inducing or exacerbating symptoms of autonomic nerve dysfunction. Conversely, the physical discomfort caused by autonomic nerve dysfunction, such as recurrent palpitations and gastrointestinal discomfort, if persistent and unresolved, may trigger excessive health concerns in patients, thereby inducing or worsening anxiety and depressive symptoms, creating a vicious cycle.

Therefore, differences exist between them in terms of etiology, pathophysiological mechanisms, clinical manifestations, and treatment approaches. Thus, they should not be simply regarded as the same disease, although they do influence and relate to each other to some extent. In the treatment process, accurate diagnosis and therapy should be based on the patient's specific condition and symptoms.