Many of us have often used the terms stress, anxiety, and worry interchangeably, without really understanding the distinctions between them. We might talk about our fears about an upcoming meeting or presentation by saying, “This presentation is causing me so much stress. I’m worried about how I’m going to handle it. I’m so worried that I feel nauseous.”
Anxiety, more so manifested as generalized anxiety disorder, is more than just feeling stressed or nervous about everyday situations. It is a medical condition where feelings of anxiety are prolonged, intense, and disrupt your daily activities. Common anxiety symptoms include persistent worry about various aspects of life, such as work, social interactions, or routine matters, which can create significant distress.
Stress, on the other hand, usually occurs as a direct response to a stressor. It is the body’s method of reacting to a challenge or a demand, and shows up as physical symptoms such as an increase in adrenaline and cortisol, which prepare the body to act quickly. These physiological changes are normal; however, when stress becomes chronic, it can lead to more severe health issues, mirroring the physical symptoms of long-term anxiety.
But it’s important to understand that stress and worry are not synonymous. By understanding the difference, we can get ourselves ready with the appropriate coping mechanisms for each scenario. This then allows us to tackle the different layers of anxiety more effectively and more precisely.
Worry is the mental component of anxiety. It’s that constant chatter in your mind, the negative thoughts, the “what if” questions that plague your thoughts. “What if I don’t do well in the presentation? What if I fail the test? What if people start thinking less of me?” These intrusive thoughts typically revolve around future events or unknown outcomes and originate from our prefrontal cortex, the logical, problem-solving center of our brain.
Worrying can be constructive but it can also make us feel stressed. When we think about problems, we may be able to uncover solutions. But when worry becomes compulsive, distorted, or trapped in a fear-driven cycle, it can escalate into anxiety or depression if not managed appropriately.
source https://getreconnected.ca/tell-the-difference-worry-stress-anxiety/
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