Stress vs. Anxiety

People often want to know the difference between anxiety and stress as symptoms can be similar.

Understanding the distinctions and overlaps between anxiety and stress is crucial for effective treatment and management. The following is a brief and basic overview:

Stress:

Definition: Stress is a natural response to external pressures or demands, known as stressors, such as work deadlines, financial challenges, or relationship issues. It can be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term). Additionally, there are other multiple sources of stress besides the above.

Some Common Symptoms:

• Physical: Headaches, muscle tension, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and gastrointestinal issues.
• Emotional: Irritability, anxiety, restlessness, and mood swings.
• Behavioral: Changes in appetite, irritability, procrastination, increased use of alcohol, tobacco, or other substances , etc

Anxiety:

Definition: Anxiety involves persistent, excessive worry about various aspects of life, often without a specific trigger. It can be a normal reaction but may become problematic if it persists and starts to interferes with daily functioning.

Some Common Symptoms:

• Physical: Rapid heart rate, sweating, trembling, dizziness, and shortness of breath, headaches, gastrointestinal issues, etc.
• Emotional: Feelings of dread, apprehension, or constant worry, irritability, etc
• Cognitive: Difficulty concentrating, mind going blank, or excessive fear of worst-case scenarios, etc

Common Symptoms:

Both stress and anxiety can present with overlapping symptoms, such as:

• Increased heart rate
• muscle tension
• sleep disturbances
• headaches
• feelings of irritability
• restlessness
• changes in appetite or
• avoidance of certain situations, etc

It’s important to note that while stress typically arises from external situations and subsides once the stressor is removed, anxiety often persists and can occur without an identifiable cause. Chronic anxiety may lead to anxiety disorders, which can significantly impair daily life.

Understanding these distinctions can aid in recognizing when professional help may be necessary, especially if symptoms are severe, persistent, or interfere with daily activities.

Ms. Fariha is a Counsellor with a broad experience of working with adults, adolescents and children in Dubai and the United Kingdom. She is working as a counsellor in Dubai, providing counselling and psychotherapy to children, adolescents, adults, and older adults dealing with wide range of mental health difficulties such as: Stress and Anxiety