Stress and anxiety are closely related. They may feel the same and have overlapping symptoms, like feeling overwhelmed, irritability, and difficulty sleeping or concentrating.
But the underlying causes of stress and anxiety are different. If you treat anxiety like stress or vice versa, the root cause might not be addressed, which makes it more difficult to address the issue and move forward.
Let’s take a look at where stress and anxiety come from, how long they typically last, and the path forward.
The Origin
Stress is your body’s natural response to an external trigger or pressure.
Stress is focused on something specific that’s happening now, like a heavy workload, a big deadline, financial pressure, or life change. Stress in short bursts can actually be positive when it keeps you motivated, alert, and prepared to meet certain challenges.
Anxiety is an internal response to stress that usually involves worry, fear, or dread.
Anxiety typically focuses on things that could happen in the future (“what if” scenarios), like a medical exam, a presentation at work, or possible layoffs at work. You can feel anxiety even if there’s no specific, immediate pressure or demand.
The Duration
Stress is typically temporary and tends to improve after the stressful situation has been resolved. For example, if you’re having an argument with a family member, stress will probably decrease once the argument is over.
Anxiety can linger long after a difficult event or experience is over. Anxiety that’s persistent and/or overwhelming, disrupts everyday life (eating, working, sleeping, etc.), or causes a person to avoid places, people, or activities could meet the criteria for a clinically diagnosed anxiety disorder.
The Solution
Stress can often be managed through problem solving and lifestyle change. For example, delegating responsibilities, setting boundaries, conflict resolution, or better sleep habits could contribute to the solution.
Anxiety may require clinical support from a professional, like mental health therapy or medication. This can help you build awareness and understanding of the underlying causes and learn how to process certain thoughts and feelings.
Remember, you don’t have to wait until feelings of stress or anxiety become very intense before you seek support. The sooner you figure out the root causes, the sooner you can find relief and move forward. And you definitely don’t have to figure it out alone.
To learn more or access services, contact us by calling our Access Center at 1-800-963-3377.
