Is It Stress Or Anxiety? An NYC Therapist Offers Guidance
Contributed By: Erin McMaugh Tierno
When people try to make sense of stress vs. anxiety, they often think of one as being worse than the other. Stress is normal, they think. Everyone has it, so it’s nothing to worry about (false). Anxiety, they believe, is a more serious condition that requires treatment (also false).
As anxiety therapists, we define these terms differently. One isn’t inherently any worse—or more treatment-worthy—than the other. Stress is the impact of life stressors on a person’s physiology, while anxiety is the anticipation of a threat or stressor that can also manifest itself physically. Stress comes and goes with life’s ups and downs, but anxiety sticks around to guard against future threats, real or imagined.
What do people mean when they ask, “Is this stress or anxiety?”
It’s helpful to compare the meanings of stress vs. anxiety, but most people are looking for more than a clinical definition. In our experience as anxiety therapists, they’re also asking…
“Is this normal?”
The highlight reel is just that—the highlights. People fear they’re alone in their struggles because they don’t see many honest depictions of stress or anxiety in their day-to-day lives, whether on the job or on Instagram.
In reality, many of the cheery smiles they see at work are merely a facade. And the celebrities they see on Insta only seem zen because they’ve cropped out all signs of stress or anxiety.
Simply put, your stress and/or anxiety is completely normal. Just because you can’t see it, doesn’t mean it isn’t there.
“What’s wrong with me?! I’m stressed out for no reason!”
This is common for patients who struggle with chronic anxiety. They tell us they feel a profound sense of dread and/or panic most or all of the time, even in seemingly stress-free situations. “I’m feeling stressed for no reason!” they tell us. “Why can’t I just stop?!”
Have you ever blamed yourself for the stress or anxiety you feel? Don’t. Your physiological response to stressors isn’t under your conscious control; it’s managed automatically by your sympathetic nervous system, which helps you respond to threats.
Your nervous system is doing its best to protect you from danger. Sometimes, like a dog barking at the mailman—it goes a bit overboard sometimes, but it has the best intentions.
Experiences in Childhood Can Impact Your Anxious Responses
Maybe you grew up in a violent or verbally abusive household where you were constantly on guard. Or perhaps your caretakers withheld their love unless you achieved certain things, so you got in the habit of taking on too much. It could also be that your work schedule is way too full, your mother-in-law is an overbearing busybody, and your boss is a raging narcissist.
Your nervous system always has its reasons for doing what it does. Remember that the next time you try to tell yourself you’re “stressed for no reason.”
“Is my stress or anxiety bad enough to warrant treatment?”
Let’s face it: This is what people really want to know when they ask about stress vs. anxiety. The answer? Like we said before, you’re not alone and it’s not your fault. But just because something’s normal, doesn’t mean it’s healthy—and just because something isn’t your fault, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do anything about it.
You can’t eradicate all sources of stress from your life or completely banish anxiety, and honestly? Some level of it is healthy. But too much can be debilitating, preventing you from fully participating in life. Over time, an overactive stress response can also lead to serious medical issues, including heart and digestive problems.
The Bottom Line About Stress and Anxiety
If you’re searching for information about either stress or anxiety, you’re probably being impacted enough that you should do something about it. If certain people or circumstances are wearing you thin, you may need to dial down the number of stressors in your life. If your sympathetic nervous system is overly sensitive, you may need to retrain it.
Overcome Stress and Anxiety with Online Therapy for Anxiety in NYC and Learn to Find Calm in the Concrete Jungle!
An experienced anxiety therapist like those at The Keely Group can help you, whether you’ve been dealing with stress or anxiety (or a mix of both). We can also help you uncover hidden triggers if you feel like you’ve been stressed for no reason. Through our online anxiety treatment service, our therapists have helped hundreds of people in NYC and throughout the state reduce and manage excessive anxiety/stress. Contact us for a free consult to learn more about how we can help.
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Enter the holiday season with more confidence and understanding!
Other Online Mental Health Services Offered at The Keely Group in New York City
In addition to Online Therapy for Anxiety, The Keely Group offers a wide variety of online services to fit the needs of busy professionals. We understand that you may face other challenges throughout your daily life that can affect relationships and dating, so we offer online therapy services to help you cope with these issues. Our ultimate goal is to help you streamline your life and that's why we offer an array of services such as: