Have I got Symptoms of Stress or have I got Anxiety?
Lying in bed waiting for sleep, but it doesn’t come easily because your mind is racing through stuff. It feels like you’ve only just dropped off and you’re suddenly awake again, facing your alarm clock and it’s 2.33am. Now your heart is pounding and all the possible things that could go wrong tomorrow are flooding into your head. This is anxiety.
Hearing your inbox constantly ping, the to do list getting longer by the minute. Your fingers trembling as you type and the clock ticks louder by the minute. Your heart’s racing as you look around at your colleagues to see if they’ve noticed you yet. But you miss lunch…again and that familiar headache is brewing. Another “urgent” task lands in your lap from the sales team. You feel completely overwhelmed. This is stress.
You could be forgiven for asking if your current symptoms are being caused by stress or anxiety, because they are similar in some of the feelings they create. So, recognizing the signs of stress and anxiety symptoms can be crucial for managing either of them.
Stress is typically triggered by external situations, while anxiety usually involves a persistent worry or dread that can linger even when there’s no immediate cause.
Symptoms of Stress
Symptoms can vary widely from person to person, but they generally include physical and emotional reactions. Signs of stress often include headaches, muscle tension, fatigue, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. Stress can disturb your sleep, causing either insomnia or excessive sleepiness. Physically, stress can lead to an increased heart rate, sweaty palms, and even digestive issues. Long-term stress can weaken the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to illnesses.
Types and Causes of Stress
There are different types of stress, such as acute stress, episodic acute stress, and chronic stress.
Acute stress is short-term and often related to specific events in someone’s life, like an upcoming deadline or unexpected argument.
Episodic acute stress happens when someone experiences regular, intense periods of stress, often from taking on too much responsibility.
Chronic stress is prolonged and can happen as a result of long-term life situations, such as financial strain or an unfulfilling job. Chronic stress is particularly dangerous because it can lead to severe health problems over time.
The causes of stress can range from major life events—such as moving, changing jobs, or experiencing a loss—to daily challenges like pressures at work and relationship issues.
Anxiety and Its Symptoms
Anxiety is often linked to stress but involves a more internalized sense of worry. Anxiety symptoms can be both physical and emotional, including restlessness, excessive worry, and being unable to relax and just stop.
Those suffering with severe anxiety may experience symptoms like a rapid heart rate, sweating, and a feeling of being on edge. Sometimes, anxiety can escalate into an anxiety attack, with intense feelings of fear, trembling, and shortness of breath.
Anxiety can also manifest as a panic attack, which is a sudden, intense episode of fear that can cause chest pain, dizziness, and a feeling of losing control. Unlike general anxiety, panic attacks can be especially frightening because they come on quickly, are intense, and don’t always have an obvious trigger.
When to Seek Help
If stress or anxiety is affecting your life, relationships, or ability to function, it’s important to find help. While stress and anxiety are common, you don’t have to deal with it alone. Working with a mental health professional can bring you guidance, coping strategies, and tools to manage your symptoms. Therapy helps sufferers understand their stress and anxiety triggers and build skills to cope with them. Techniques like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) are highly effective for treating both anxiety and stress-related issues.
Whether you experience occasional anxiety attacks or are dealing with chronic causes of stress, finding support can make a significant difference. Stress and anxiety may be a part of life, but with the right help, you can find healthier ways to cope and move forward.
PVD Psychological Associates specialize in anxiety, eating disorders, depression, college and graduate student mental health, trauma, and providing LGBTQIA and Gender Affirming therapy, though we also see individuals for many other reasons.
If you would like to discuss your needs with a therapist, complete the enquiry form on our Contact page and we’ll call or email you for a confidential chat.
