Anxiety and Stress: 5 Ways to Identify What You Are Dealing With and What Can Help
The word anxiety is used interchangeably with stress in our lives. Anxiety has become a buzz word in society and around the globe. But there are differences between what would be considered anxiety and what would be considered stress. Both contain similar symptoms but are different in their nature. This article will help outline some of the differences and what you can do for yourself to help.
1.) External pressures can cause stress symptoms
Imagine this scenario, you are at work and the phone line doesn’t seem to be calming down. You are constantly taking calls from customers and haven’t been able to catch a break for three hours. This would be an example of a stressful situation because in this example you are faced with in the present and it’s a pressing situation. You may also be experiencing a “fight, flight, or freeze” response related to the situation at hand. It makes sense that anyone would be stressed in a situation like this. Since this is a pressing present situation this would be considered stress and not to the extent of anxiety.
2.) Internal experience can cause anxiety symptoms
Anxiety comes after the present external pressure has dissipated and we are left with our own internal responses to it. In the situation above, you are faced with current back to back phone calls that can cause a stress response. Then afterwards maybe you have ruminating thoughts lingering afterwards wondering if the next work day will be the same. With having that thought running through your mind you may then experience somatic symptoms in response. The future oriented worry creates the response of anxiety.
3.) Symptoms of stress and anxiety and its effects
Symptoms of anxiety include more chronic symptoms of difficulties with concentrating, fatigue, tensions in the body, and gastrointestinal issues. Stress can create these symptoms as well but the effects of it are not as lingering or long lasting. If you have more chronic symptoms mentioned above it could be possible that it could indicate to an anxiety disorder. Anxiety can persist for months and start to impact functioning in everyday life.
4.) Anxiety is harder to identify whereas stress you may know better what is bothering you
Anxiety is a less predictable compared to when dealing with stress. Those that have stress know that their stress is being caused by something specific like stress during taking a test, or stress from being in an argument with a partner. Anxiety on the other hand can come from scenario’s that haven’t happened yet. Some of the things that individuals create anxiety over are things that are not yet within their own control. Anxiety could also sometimes not even be rational but still feel like an emanate threat. Stress you know that there is a threat there and your body is responding to that threat in a way to protect itself. Anxiety can be more frustrating because your body could be experiencing a response, but you may not be able to exactly pinpoint where it is coming from.
5.) Get a Professional Opinion
If you have more questions about anxiety and stress it is a good idea to seek out support and help from a mental health professional. Articles like this are not intended in any way to diagnosis. This articles intention is to get more information about the differences between stress and anxiety which are commonly interchangeable words. Here at Inward Counseling we see couples, and individuals for therapy services and can help with symptoms associated with anxiety and stress. Reach out to us to get started!
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