Stress vs. Anxiety - When Do You Call a Doctor?
We are all stressed at some point in our lives, and statistics say that over 40% of adults in the world suffer from anxiety. So, what’s the difference?
The Basic Differences
Stress is a response to an external situation – you have a test the next day, a deadline at work or even dinner with your in-laws!
Anxiety, on the other hand, is internal and more irrational. You have no reason for that knot in your stomach, in fact, your day might be going great, and yet this nervous tension refuses to go away.
While it is entirely normal to worry about things and feel nervous or stressed, these feelings eventually go away. If they do not, you might be crossing the line into anxiety.
Symptoms of Anxiety
Mental symptoms:
• Excessive worrying
• Racing thoughts
• Feelings of fear or dread even when you are safe
• Anticipating the worst-case scenario
• Restless and jumpy
• Easily irritable
• Feelings of guilt, anger or shame
Physical symptoms:
• Sweaty palms or ice-cold hands and feet
• Rapid breathing
• Frequent bathroom breaks or indigestion
• Insomnia or sleeping too much
• Trembling
• Fatigue
If you find yourself relating to these issues and have reached a stage where it is affecting your life, you ought to consider that you may be dealing with anxiety, not stress.
Types of Anxiety
There are many types of anxiety disorders like General Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Panic Attacks and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Even phobias such as the fear of heights or spiders are a form of anxiety. The most common type of anxiety is GAD which may sometimes lead to panic attacks as well.
It’s easy to confuse high anxiety with a panic attack, especially if you haven’t experienced one before. The symptoms of a panic attack are usually sudden and more intense, with many people mistaking it for a heart attack and rushing to the emergency room as a result.
During a panic attack, most people experience some of the indicators below:
• Shortness of breath
• Choking or smothering sensation
• Heart palpitations
• Nausea
• Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
• Fear of going crazy or dying
• Chest pain
• Profuse sweating or cold chills
You may not experience all the symptoms listed, or you might have other reactions in addition to these. But the most common feeling is the unrealistic fear of doom or death, as your body is in fight or flight mode. The best thing to do at this time is to check with a professional immediately, as they can diagnose your condition accurately, even if you are unsure.
Don’t Worry, Here’s the Good News!
Anxiety is easily treated.
With the right guidance and lifestyle patterns, you can kick anxiety right in its gut. (Yeah, let’s see how it likes that!)
If you relate to the symptoms above, my first suggestion would be to see a counsellor. I prefer them over seeing a psychiatrist as they cannot prescribe medications and I like to try other options first. Of course, if medicines are necessary, you will be advised accordingly, and your counsellor may even recommend some great psychiatrists in town. It’s a win-win.
If you’re apprehensive about going to a therapist, and a lot of us are, here are some easy self-help tips that make a difference.
1. In and Out
The next time you’re anxious or stressed, take deep breaths. Focus on your breath as you inhale in and out, and let your thoughts flow. Even if you find yourself wandering, all you need to do is bring back your attention to your breath. As you keep breathing, the fear shall slowly dissolve and bring you back to the present. Meditation is also a great practice to add to your daily routine.
2. Exercise
Yes, it seems like a lot of work and the last thing you want to do. But trust me, exercise works! Regular exercise fires up those endorphins that lift your mood and also helps you sleep better. Your mental health can affect you physically and so is right of the other way around. Start small – go for a walk or try gentle stretches for fifteen minutes today.
3. It’s ‘Me Time!’
Book a day at the spa, watch a favourite movie, dress up for a night out or sing at the top of your voice! The goal is to do things that are all about you and make you happy. If you feel like you’re not up for it right now, do it anyway. You deserve some self-care, so do not hesitate in giving yourself that.
4. Catch up for Coffee, Not
When therapists’ advice a check on your diet, it does not always mean surviving on greens. The first thing you need to do is eliminate sodas and coffee. Caffeine triggers anxiety, and the best thing for your body right now would be switching to a soothing green tea instead (No pun intended, I swear).
5. Accept your Anxiety
Remember that your anxiety may trigger a lot of other emotions such as guilt, anger, shame, and fear. Know that these are only feelings and not facts. Accept that you feel this way and do not shy away from being vulnerable. Talking to someone and knowing that it is not in your control helps in facing this diagnosis.
Finally, I would still recommend that you visit a professional. Even though it may seem daunting or even dramatic, it isn’t very different from a general health check-up. Look at it this way – What do you have to lose?
A full-time reader and consequential writer, Riya Mehta is a blogger with a Master’s Degree in English Literature. She loves fiction and desserts, precisely in that order, and currently works as a content writer in the travel industry. Reading up on mental health ever since she was a teen, she cares about the subject deeply and hopes to break the stigma attached to it through her words.
You can reach her at https://www.linkedin.com/
A full-time reader and consequential writer, Riya Mehta is a blogger with a Master’s Degree in English Literature. She loves fiction and desserts, precisely in that order, and currently works as a content writer in the travel industry. Reading up on mental health ever since she was a teen, she cares about the subject deeply and hopes to break the stigma attached to it through her words.
You can reach her at https://www.linkedin.com/
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Call at +91 86603 88394 and we can set up a consultation.
If you would like to schedule an appointment instead, please click here: