What’s the Difference Between Depression and Anxiety?
Depression. Anxiety. We hear those words so frequently. Sometimes they are used together and sometimes they aren’t. Both are clinical mental health diagnoses, and both are becoming more recognized and widely diagnosed in the US, especially since the onset of the pandemic. But what exactly are these maladies?
The reality is, that in a society as stressful as ours, in which grinding and achieving high status financially is the accepted norm, our minds and bodies are highly prone to burnout. Every single person who lives within this context is likely to feel sad or down in the dumps from time-to-time or to feel nervousness about a situation or experience. That’s totally within the realm of normal human experience, right? What happens, then, if those experiences become chronic? What if you are unable to just snap out of it?
Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety
Debilitating depression can manifest in a myriad of ways. Some symptoms include:
- Sad or anxious feelings
- Feeling fatigued regardless of how much you sleep
- Not sleeping or sleeping too much
- Inability to concentrate
- Not enjoying hobbies, activities, and relationships that once brought you joy
Anxiety looks different, although the two disorders can go hand-in-hand. People with anxiety tend to:
- Be easily irritated or angered
- Experience a rapid heartbeat, sweating, or rapid breathing
- Have difficulty sleeping and/or concentrating
- Experience gastrointestinal pain or distress
Traditional Treatment Options
There are treatment options available now and more becoming available every day. Traditional treatment options include:
- Therapy
- Medication
- Diet and exercise
- Meditation and journaling
- Creative outlets
For those who prefer a more natural treatment option, cannabis can be quite effective at managing the symptoms of both anxiety and depression.
Natural Treatment Options
Traditional treatment options are, and continue to be, widely accessible, but some of the medications most frequently used have unpleasant side effects, leaving some people seeking more natural treatment options. For them, medical marijuana can be invaluable.
A recent study performed at the Medical University of South Carolina supports the effectiveness of cannabis products, especially those with higher concentrations of CBD, to help treat symptoms of depression. Over a period of time, CBD products can also help alleviate symptoms of anxiety.
Medical Marijuana Products
There are a variety of CBD products available to help manage any symptoms of depression or anxiety that you may be experiencing. In Massachusetts, both conditions qualify a user, if the conditions are debilitating, for receipt of a Massachusetts Medical Marijuana Card and all the benefits that entails.
Canna Card Express, located in Worcester, MA, can help you obtain a medical marijuana card, which has to be certified by a Massachusetts state-accredited, licensed medical marijuana practitioner. We can also assist you with the selection of appropriate products and dosages that will be most effective in the management of any symptoms that have restricted your daily life.
We can be reached by phone at 508-817-9300 or email at info@cannacardexpress.com. Make an appointment today to see if our nurse practitioner can help in guiding you as you seek access to medical marijuana.
Disclaimer: The information contained here was not written by a medical doctor and is intended for informational purposes only. This is not a substitute for medical advice.
