Anxiety vs. Stress

Everyone feels angry, irritated, nervous or sad sometimes. Generally, a reaction to a stressor in your life—like a major deadline at work—shouldn’t be cause for concern. Those feelings pass as soon as the project is over.

But what if those emotions linger past that date, or maybe for no reason at all? It might indicate you are battling a treatable mental illness. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports:

• 19% of U.S. adults had any anxiety disorder in the past year
• Anxiety disorder is more common in females than males
• 31% of U.S. adults experience any anxiety disorder at some time in their lives

If you aren’t sure if you are struggling with stress or anxiety, use these indicators as a way to broach a mental health conversation with your provider.

Stress Indicators

• According to the American Psychological Association, stressed people feel irritable, angry and exhausted. They also experience muscle pain, digestive difficulties and struggle to sleep.
• Generally, it’s easy to identify a clear, external cause for these emotions. Stress subsides after the external issue is over.
• Coping mechanisms ease your symptoms. This includes exercise, diet, a strong support system, participating in a favorite activity or even delegating tasks to someone else.

Anxiety Indicators

• NIH describes general anxiety disorder as lasting most days for six months or longer.
• Though the physiological reactions are similar to stress, The American Psychological Association adds that anxiety also includes “excessive worries that don’t go away even in the absence of a stressor.” In addition, you might experience nervousness or restless, increased heart rate or trouble concentrating.
• Can interfere with daily activities or your worry is disproportionate to the event that triggers it.

Treatment

If you are experiencing chronic stress or think you have anxiety, talk to your healthcare provider. If untreated, both conditions can lead to health problems such as insomnia, high blood pressure, a weakened immune system, heart disease, depression, and obesity. People with mental health conditions also are at higher risk for heart disease.

There are a variety of treatments for mental health conditions, including directed therapy, group support and medications. Anytime negative feelings become so intense or pervasive that they begin to affect your overall quality of life, it’s time to get help.

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