Please be advised, the below article might mention trauma-related topics that include suicide, substance use, or abuse which could be triggering to the reader.
Support is available 24/7. Please also see our Get Help Now page for more immediate resources.
Stress and anxiety may be two of the most common mental health afflictions in our society, but the terms are often used interchangeably. Stress is typically the body’s way of responding to a perceived threat, but when you feel stressed most of the time, you can develop anxiety. Anxiety symptoms that interfere with everyday life can constitute a disorder in some cases. Stress management techniques often involve exercising, getting plenty of sleep, spending time with loved ones, and eating a healthy diet. Meanwhile, anxiety treatment usually consists of a combination of therapy and medication. You can start therapy for anxiety by joining an online therapy platform or connecting with a local mental health professional.
Stress may not always have negative consequences. In fact, it can be the body's reaction to an immediate threat. However, chronic stress can be harmful to the body, mind, and lifestyle. When we feel stressed more often than not, it can be referred to as chronic anxiety.
If you live with chronic stress, you might consider taking active steps to destress. It can be best to seek professional help if you notice signs of constant stress, as discussed in the next section of the article.
Signs and symptoms of stress
Symptoms that you are feeling stressed can vary. Some of the more recognizable stress symptoms may include the following:
Physical symptoms
Diarrhea, pains you can't explain, nausea, dizziness, chest pain, lower or nonexistent libido, and frequently getting sick
Behavioral symptoms
Binge-eating or refusing to eat, sleeping too much or staying up too late, using substances to help you relax, nervous habits (like biting your nails), and becoming reclusive
Emotional symptoms
Depression, irritability, moodiness, loneliness, and feeling overwhelmed
Cognitive symptoms
Pessimism, an inability to concentrate, chronic worrying, difficulty with memory, and poor judgment
What is anxiety?
Anxiety is usually different from stress in that it can be both a symptom of stress and part of an anxiety disorder, such as panic disorder or generalized anxiety disorder. When you're stressed, you may just need to remind yourself to slow down and do something to decompress. With anxiety, it may not always be that simple.
The signs of anxiety tend to differ as there are usually many types of anxiety disorders. For instance, someone with a hoarding disorder may keep everything they come into contact with. They may be unable to throw things away, even if they become spoiled.
Someone with a phobia, on the other hand, may do anything to avoid encountering the phobia trigger(s). For instance, some people have agoraphobia, a fear of open spaces or unfamiliar places. They may fear leaving the house, which can lead them to become reclusive. They may resort to having their groceries delivered and asking a neighbor to get their mail for them so that they don't have to leave the house.
Other types of anxiety may include (but are not limited to) post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), separation anxiety disorder, and social anxiety disorder (which typically involves fear of social situations). These different types of anxiety can vary in severity and chronicity.
Ideas for stress & symptom relief
Getty/AnnaStills
Some recommendations for stress relief can include:
Exercise
Not only can exercise change your chemical and hormonal balance to help you feel more relaxed and happy, but it can also distract you from your problems, especially if you work out somewhere peaceful, like in nature.
Spend time with others
If you’re particularly stressed, it’s generally recommended not to take an extended leave from other people. Alone time can be okay once in a while, but having a face-to-face talk with someone you trust about what's bothering you can do wonders for your mental and emotional health. Often, others can put your stress into perspective and give you a new outlook that can potentially melt your worries away.
Indulge your senses
Is there a particular essential oil fragrance you enjoy? Or a sensation, like petting your cat? Or is it listening to your favorite song that makes you feel good? When you engage your senses, you can distract yourself from what's bothering you, so simply putting yourself in a relaxing environment can put you in an entirely different mood if you're having a bad day.
Eat healthily and get plenty of sleep
When you eat right and sleep well, your physical performance tends to be at its optimal level, which, in turn, can reduce physical ailments (e.g., headaches, body aches, and pains).
Ultimately, it can help to understand that no one can necessarily avoid stress altogether. How you choose to cope with stress, however, can have monumental effects on your health and your lifestyle.
Types of anxiety disorder treatment
The first step in treating anxiety can be to make sure that the anxiety is not coming from another health condition. Some heart conditions can cause anxiety, as can low blood sugar, imbalanced calcium levels, and hyperthyroidism, to name a few. In these cases, the underlying cause should typically be treated, which will likely ease the anxiety. However, if no medical cause can be detected, then you may be diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder.
If that's the case, your doctor may recommend medication to manage your condition. You might consider combining therapy with medication or opt to try therapy first before exploring your medication options. We include these details here for informational purposes, but remember that advice regarding medications can only come from a licensed medical professional.
When it comes to therapy for anxiety, the approach taken can depend largely on the condition you are diagnosed with. However, one of the most common methods for treating anxiety may be cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
With CBT, your therapist can help you train your brain to think differently by responding to stimuli more adaptively. You may also learn how to relax when confronted with anxiety triggers, as well as how to respond more effectively to them. CBT can be incredibly effective in treating the symptoms of anxiety, and people tend to see relatively quick yet long-lasting results.
There's also a type of therapy called "biofeedback" that you may be interested in trying. During this process, you can watch your brain waves on an electroencephalograph and learn how to control your brain waves. The purpose of biofeedback is generally to teach you how to relax at will.
You can also engage in certain lifestyle changes to ease your anxiety. For instance, daily exercise is often recommended, as are breathing exercises, meditation, and yoga.
Online treatment for anxiety disorders & better mental health
As mentioned above, cognitive behavioral therapy is often one of the best treatments for anxiety disorders. However, it’s not always easy or comfortable to attend therapy sessions in person. If getting professional help from the comfort of your home would be more convenient for you, you might try online therapy. Online therapy can make it simple to connect with a professional and begin working toward improved mental health.
Studies report that online CBT can be just as effective, and sometimes even more effective, than in-person CBT for treating the symptoms of anxiety. Please don’t hesitate to reach out for the help you deserve, whether you prefer to attend therapy in person or online.
A stress test can be used to determine how well your heart is working. During a stress test, a patient is typically placed on a treadmill or stationary bicycle while their heartbeat is monitored. Results may then be read by a doctor who can ultimately determine whether the patient's heart is getting enough oxygen during physical activity.
If the patient's heart is not getting enough oxygen, then this may be a sign of coronary heart disease (CHD), heart failure, or heart valve disease. If the patient is unable to keep up, this can be a sign of other conditions not related to the heart, such as lung disease, anemia, or even a poor level of physical fitness.
The point of this test is to "stress" the heart to assess how well it works under pressure. Stress tests can be used to evaluate how a person's heart handles stress, or, alternatively, how the way the person has been coping with stress may have affected their body. For instance, if someone handles stress by binge-eating fast food, then over time, plaque may build up in the arteries. Signs of those physical effects may be diagnosed before a heart attack or other medical emergency happens by having the person undergo a stress test.
Takeaway
Everyone will likely experience stress at some point, but when stress becomes chronic and a person is stressed more often than not, they may be living with an anxiety disorder or other mental health condition. Chronic anxiety, whether generalized anxiety, social anxiety, or another form, can have serious effects on your physical health, your well-being, and your relationships, so it’s generally best to get a diagnosis and work with a mental health professional as soon as possible. One way to do so may be to join an online therapy platform where you can find support from a licensed mental health professional experienced in treating people experiencing excessive anxiety or with anxiety disorders. They may also be able to point you toward anxiety support groups that could be helpful. Take the first step toward relief from stress and anxiety and contact BetterHelp anytime you’re ready.
Frequently asked questions
Read more below for answers to questions commonly asked about this topic.
What are the signs of stress and anxiety?
Stress and anxiety can have a variety of different symptoms, which may vary from person to person.
Possible signs of anxiety may include:
Worrying about many different things
Worrying that disrupts daily life
Difficulty concentrating at school or work
Restlessness
A pounding heart
Digestive issues
Possible signs of stress may include:
Impatience or irritability
Feeling overwhelmed
Physical or mental exhaustion
Headaches
Frequent illness
Symptoms of stress and anxiety can sometimes overlap. Both conditions may cause people to feel frustrated, tense, or irritable. Also, both stress and anxiety can affect eating and sleeping habits, and they can both cause aches and pains.
Are anxiety and stress the same thing?
Although anxiety and stress can show similar symptoms, they are not the same thing. Understanding the main differences between them may help you figure out if what you’re feeling is stress or anxiety.
Stress is a natural response to a threat. It’s the body’s way of letting us know there is a problem that needs to be addressed. Stress tends to come from external sources, according to a fact sheet from the National Institute of Mental Health (which is part of the National Institutes of Health, itself part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services).
On the other hand, anxiety tends to focus on possible future events. It often makes people worry that something bad is going to happen, even if the worries are not always realistic. For example, someone with anxiety might feel a slight pain and worry they have a life-threatening health condition.
Can stress trigger feelings of anxiety?
Stressful and worrying situations can trigger anxiety, especially if the outcome is uncertain. This can lead to anxiety symptoms like worry and obsession. Stress can also interfere with a person’s ability to cope with their anxiety, potentially making their symptoms worse. In some cases, the physical symptoms of stress may also be sources of anxiety on their own.
What can stress and anxiety affect?
Stress and anxiety can have a wide range of effects on physical, emotional, and mental health. Examples of these may include:
Reduced quality of life
Depression
Specific phobias
Substance misuse
Mood swings
Trouble with memory and decision-making
Physical health problems, like high blood pressure or a weakened immune system
Panic attacks, which can cause feelings of extreme fear or impending doom
Problems at work or school, such as conflicts and burnout
Relationship challenges
Left addressed, overwhelming stress and anxiety can occasionally even cause suicidal thoughts. If stress and anxiety are causing you significant distress, it may be worth talking to a mental health specialist. You can also contact the Crisis Text Line at any time by texting HOME to 741741.
What causes anxiety symptoms?
A range of risk factors may contribute to anxiety and anxiety disorders, such as:
Genetics
Childhood experiences
Past trauma
Imbalances in certain brain chemicals or hormones (since the body releases stress hormones as part of the stress response)
Certain drugs
It may be important to remember that it can be normal to experience some anxiety due to life stressors, like the loss of a job or a big transition. Also, the above risk factors don’t necessarily mean that someone will develop an anxiety disorder. For example, many children may experience challenging circumstances and not develop a disorder.
How do you relieve stress and anxiety?
Several strategies may help to reduce stress and anxiety, such as:
Practicing mindfulness or meditation
Getting regular exercise
Eating a healthy diet
Addressing the source of stress, if possible
Getting support from a friend or family member
Setting healthy boundaries
Establishing a daily routine
That said, if the stress and anxiety last for an extended period of time, it may be worth talking to a mental health professional. They may be able to recommend a more specific treatment based on your situation, such as exposure therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, or medication.
What triggers stress?
Stress can have a variety of triggers. Often, it is caused by an external problem or source of pressure that can make you feel like you don’t have control over the situation. Some examples include:
An upcoming work deadline
Financial stress
Losing a job or starting a new job
The birth of a child
An illness
Moving
Relationship challenges
The loss of a loved one
These are a few situations that may cause stress. However, stressors can look different for different people.
How do I check if I am stressed?
If you’re not sure if what you’re feeling is stress, it may help to consider the following questions:
Is there something going on in my life that’s troubling me?
Do I feel overwhelmed?
Have my sleeping or eating habits changed?
Have I noticed any strange aches or pains?
Am I getting headaches or stomach aches?
Have people noticed me getting agitated or irritable?
Do I feel a lack of control over my situation?
Have I been getting sick a lot lately?
Answering yes to these questions may indicate that you are stressed. That said, the signs and symptoms of stress can vary depending on the person.
The information on this page is not intended to be a substitution for diagnosis, treatment, or informed professional advice. You should not take any action or avoid taking any action without consulting with a qualified mental health professional. For more information, please read our terms of use.
Search
Get the support you need from one of our therapistsGet started