Stress or Anxiety? How to know the difference.
There has been no shortage of changes to adapt to over the last year and a half! I honestly don’t know one person who hasn’t experienced some form of stress, anxiety, depression, worry (you name it) in the face of a pandemic and social/political unrest. A word I hear a lot lately from my clients has been
“overwhelmed.”
I get it! I’m right there with you, and you are not alone.
Everyone experiences stress from time to time, but what distinguishes stress from anxiety?
Well…not much! The truth is that the stress response and anxiety have very similar symptoms.
Symptoms of Stress
Becoming easily agitated, frustrated, and moody
Having difficulty relaxing and quieting your mind
Low energy
Aches, pains, and tense muscles
Chest pain and rapid heartbeat
Nervousness and shaking, cold or sweaty hands and feet
Clenched jaw and teeth grinding
Constant worrying
Forgetfulness and disorganization
Procrastinating and avoiding responsibilities
Increased use of alcohol, drugs, or cigarettes
Exhibiting more nervous behaviors, such as nail-biting, fidgeting, and pacing
Symptoms of Anxiety
All the symptoms of stress listed above can also be symptoms of anxiety.
Plus…
Feeling nervous, restless, or tense
Having a sense of impending danger, panic, or doom
Breathing rapidly (hyperventilation)
Trouble concentrating or thinking about anything other than the present worry
Having trouble sleeping due to racing thoughts or panic.
Experiencing gastrointestinal (GI) or other health problems
Having difficulty controlling worry
Having the urge to avoid things that trigger anxiety
The most significant difference between stress and anxiety is its origin (or what seems to be causing it).
Stress is usually a response that is short-term and is directly connected to a stressor.
On the other hand, anxiety is often triggered by a stressor, lasts longer, feels like it came out of the blue, and at times can have a more significant impact on your quality of life.
Both chronic stress and anxiety can wreak havoc on your life if left untreated.
Here are two scenarios that distinguish stress from anxiety:
Scenario 1: Your boss puts pressure on you at work to complete a project, and you don’t feel like you have enough time to get it done. You notice that you feel more tired than usual, you have tension in your shoulders, and your stomach is frequently upset. You are likely experiencing a stress response to the extra pressure from your boss.
VS.
Scenario 2: You wake up in the morning and start getting ready for the day. Out of nowhere, a feeling of dread washes over you, you begin to sweat, your heart speeds up, and you feel like crawling back into bed and pulling the covers over your head. In this case, you are likely experiencing anxiety or panic. There does not seem to be any apparent reason for your symptoms, and It feels like it just came out of nowhere.
Ok, so I think I’m just stressed. What do I do?
A little bit of stress is not only okay, but it might also be good! Think back on times when the pressure was on but that you achieved more because of it. But if stress is keeping you from accomplishing your goals or negatively affecting your health or your relationships, then it’s time to do something about it.
One helpful tool for managing stress is to share the load. In other words, ask for help from family, colleagues, and friends instead of trying to do it all on your own. Another tool is being a good steward of yourself, aka self-care. One way to do that may be talking with a trained professional who can help you sort through your problems and develop a plan to solve them!
Now that I think of it, anxiety sounds more like what I’m experiencing. So how do I cope with it?
That depends on a few things. The length of time you have been experiencing anxiety symptoms and how much it’s affecting your life. If your symptoms of anxiety feel manageable and are only slightly troublesome, you may be able to cope with them using one of the following techniques:
Meditation/Prayer
Exercise
Talking with a trusted friend
Getting more sleep
Practicing mindfulness exercises
How do I know if I need to reach out for help?
If you have been experiencing anxiety symptoms for several months and notice that it is getting worse or that your symptoms are negatively affecting your ability to work, live, or play; It may be time to talk to a counselor. I am a licensed clinical counselor and certified clinical anxiety treatment professional.
I would love to join you on your journey to healing! If you’d like to start that journey today, click the “set appointment now” button at the bottom of this page or the “contact” link if you have any questions.
I look forward to meeting you!
Disclaimer: The entire contents of this blog are based solely upon the opinions and thoughts of the authors unless otherwise noted. The information provided on this blog is not intended to replace a face-to-face relationship with a qualified health care provider. The information on this site should not be used to diagnose or treat any mental health disorder. The use of any techniques or advice should not be construed as a therapeutic relationship with the authors.
