The Difference of Stress vs Anxiety

Stress and anxiety are the bodies natural survival response that engages when it is in a perceived dangerous situation. The response sets off an internal chain of events that alerts respiratory, circulatory and hormonal systems to be hyper focused and ready to deal with a threat. There is an increase of blood supply and hormones sent to the various systems designated for a quick defense. Oftentimes, it can leave a person to feel overwhelmed and confused.

This built in reaction the body has to danger is a normal instinctual devise that has been learned over many years.

Stress vs. Anxiety Differences

Stress is a short term response to a recognized threat that can involve symptoms like:

  • anger

  • faster heartbeat and breathing

  • irritability

  • moodiness

  • anxious thoughts

  • dizziness and lightheadedness

  • nausea

  • feeling overwhelmed

  • general unhappiness

  • loneliness

  • constipation or diarrhea

Anxiety is a longer and lingering response to a perceived threat that may not have an identifiable trigger.

Anxiety can include symptoms like:

  • nervousness

  • faster heartbeat

  • increased breathing rate

  • diarrhea or constipation

  • sweating

  • feeling tense and restless

  • feeling of dread and unease

Both stress and anxiety involve an increased stress hormonal release that results in a rapid heart beat to ensure all the muscles have enough nutrients for energy.

The stress process happens very quickly and the anxiety is the bodies response to that stress.

The fight or flight response is a defensive mechanism that is an immediate reaction to anything that can happen to someone on a daily basis that makes them feel nervous or out of control.

How to Tell the Difference

Stress and anxiety are both part of the same network chain the body has to react to danger. Both share similar symptoms. The main difference is that stress is a quick and short term response and anxiety has more lasting affects with no apparent triggers. Anxiety can seem to come out of nowhere and is difficult to control.

The way our bodies go from a normal daily relaxed state to a full on threatening survival state in an instant can have a negative impact on one’s health when it happens day after day and for no apparent reason.

Sometimes stress can develop into anxiety when it occurs over longer periods of time and with no treatment.

Signs When to be Concerned and Get Treatment

Stress is a normal part of life. It is quite normal to feel a little on edge when you are giving an important presentation, speech or taking a final exam. It’s another thing when these same stressful feelings take place everyday for normal activities like being in public or going to work.

These are some things for concern when anxiety from stress becomes more serious:

  • anxiety becomes chronic interferes with daily life

  • having irrational fears

  • use of alcohol and drugs to cope with anxiety or stress

  • feeling out of control

  • a significant change in eating, sleeping and personal habits

  • suicidal thoughts

  • depressive episodes that linger

  • feeling out of control

Management and Treatment

Stress and anxiety can be controlled with relaxation techniques like:

  • exercise and any physical activity can help the body to relax. Try walking, running, cycling or yoga and tai chi

  • breathing exercises

  • meditation and visualization methods

Neurofeedback Therapy is a very effective modality for the treatment of anxiety from stress. It uses an EEG machine to record, track and return a persons own brainwaves back to them but in a more healthy and normal state so they can relax.

Anxiety is the most common of all mental health conditions and is the real pandemic of our times. It is a component of many other common mental health concerns, like ADD, autism, PTSD and depression.

Anxiety affects millions of people throughout the world, making their school work, job performance and relationships more difficult. Anxiety is the reason doctors prescribe so many medications.

We live in a very stressful period of time, where most of our appointment calendars are full and it seems like every minute is accounted for. Much has been done by the medical establishment to improve natural treatment options for this chronic condition. Seek out your doctor to learn more about what might be the best treatment for you.

-A Balanced Brain is a Relaxed Brain-