The relationship between anxiety and depression

Abstract This article raises the question as to whether the constructs of anxiety and depression can be meaningfully separated. Through a review of the literature focusing on the mood states, trait models, and clinical syndromes of anxiety and depression, it is shown that the distinction may be more conceptually satisfying than empirically demonstrated. Implications of the equivocal empirical separation of anxiety and depression, and areas of research requiring further examination are defined, and a developmental model of anxiety and depression is suggested as a means of reconciling the confusion in the relationship between anxiety and depression.