How is Anxiety Different from Stress?

Contrary to popular belief, there is a difference between stress and anxiety. Stress comes from the pressures we feel in life, as we are pushed by work or any other task that puts undue pressure on our minds and body, adrenaline is released, extended stay of the hormone causes depression, a rise in the blood pressure and other negative changes and effects.


One of these negative effects is anxiety. With anxiety, fear overcomes all emotions accompanied by worry and apprehension, making a person a recluse and a bagful of jitters. Other symptoms are chest pains, dizziness, and shortness of breath and panic attacks.

Stress is caused by an existing stress-causing factor or stressor. Anxiety is stress that continues after that stressor is gone. Stress can come from any situation or thought that makes you feel frustrated, angry, nervous, or even anxious. What is stressful to one person is not necessarily stressful to another.

Anxiety is a feeling of apprehension or fear and is almost always accompanied by feelings of impending doom. The source of this uneasiness is not always known or recognized, which can add to the distress you feel.

Stress is the way our bodies and minds react to something which upsets our normal balance in life; an example of stress is the response we feel when we are frightened or threatened. During stressful events our adrenal glands release adrenaline, a hormone which activates our body’s defense mechanisms causing our hearts to pound, blood pressure to rise, muscles to tense, and the pupils of our eyes to dilate.

A principal indication of increased stress is an escalation in your pulse rate; however, a normal pulse rate doesn’t necessarily mean you aren’t stressed. Constant aches and pains, palpitations, anxiety, chronic fatigue, crying, over or under- eating, frequent infections, and a decrease in your sexual desire are signs you may notice which indicate you may be under stress.

Of course, every time we are under stress, we do not react to such an extreme and we are not always under such great duress or fear every time we are confronted with a stressful situation.

Some people are more susceptible than others to stress; for some, even ordinary daily decisions seem insurmountable. Deciding what to have for dinner or what to buy at the store, is a seemingly, monumental dilemma for them. On the other hand, there are those people, who seem to thrive under stress by becoming highly productive being driven by the force of pressure.

Research shows women with children have higher levels of stress related hormones in their blood than women without children. Does this mean women without children don’t experience stress? Absolutely not!

It means that women without children may not experience stress as often or to the same degree which women with children do. This means for women with children, it’s particularly important to schedule time for yourself; you will be in a better frame of mind to help your children and meet the daily challenge of being a parent, once your stress level is reduced.

Anxiety, on the other hand, is a feeling of unease. Everybody experiences it when faced with a stressful situation, for example before an exam or an interview, or during a worrying time such as illness. It is normal to feel anxious when facing something difficult or dangerous and mild anxiety can be a positive and useful experience.

However, for many people, anxiety interferes with normal life. Excessive anxiety is often associated with other psychiatric conditions, such as depression. Anxiety is considered abnormal when it is very prolonged or severe, it happens in the absence of a stressful event, or it is interfering with everyday activities such as going to work.

The physical symptoms of anxiety are caused by the brain sending messages to parts of the body to prepare for the “fight or flight” response. The heart, lungs and other parts of the body work faster. The brain also releases stress hormones, including adrenaline. Common indicators of excessive anxiety include:

  • Diarrhea
  • Dry mouth
  • Rapid heartbeat or palpitations
  • Insomnia
  • Irritability or anger
  • Inability to concentrate
  • Fear of being “crazy”
  • Feeling unreal and not in control of your actions which is called depersonalization

Anxiety can be brought on in many ways. Obviously, the presence of stress in your life can make you have anxious thoughts. Many people who suffer from anxiety disorders occupy their minds with excessive worry. This can be worry about anything from health matters to job problems to world issues.

Certain drugs, both recreational and medicinal, can also lead to symptoms of anxiety due to either side effects or withdrawal from the drug. Such drugs include caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, cold remedies, and decongestants, bronchodilators for asthma, tricyclic antidepressants, cocaine, amphetamines, diet pills, ADHD medications, and thyroid medications.

A poor diet can also contribute to stress or anxiety — for example, low levels of vitamin B12.   Weight gain can be a side effect of many antidepressants.   Try to have your doctor find you antidepressants that don’t cause weight gain.

Performance anxiety is related to specific situations, like taking a test or making a presentation in public. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a stress disorder that develops after a traumatic event like war, physical or sexual assault, or a natural disaster.

In very rare cases, a tumor of the adrenal gland (pheochromocytoma) may be the cause of anxiety. This happens because of an overproduction of hormones responsible for the feelings and symptoms of anxiety.

While anxiety may seem a bit scary, what’s even scarier is that excessive anxiety and stress can lead to depression. Suffering from depression can be a lifelong struggle as I well know, but the good news is that all of this is manageable!

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HealthStatus has been operating since 1998 providing the best interactive health tools on the Internet, millions of visitors have used our blood alcohol, body fat and calories burned calculators. The HealthStatus editorial team has continued that commitment to excellence by providing our visitors with easy to understand high quality health content for many years. Our team of health professionals, and researchers use peer reviewed studies as source elements in our articles. Our high quality content has been featured in a number of leading websites, USA Today, the Chicago Tribune, Live Strong, GQ, and many more.

Matthew Dominguez
19. February 2019
Matthew Dominguez
19. February 2019
I have been having trouble figuring out if I have stress or anxiety issues. My Doctor put me on celexa 10mg I took it for about 5 days and it made me sick and loss of appetite causing me to throw up every morning.. What should I do to figure out what I have??

Liz
9. March 2017
Liz
9. March 2017
does not have to be sexual assault: "Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a stress disorder that develops after a traumatic event like war, physical or sexual assault, or a natural disaster" Any assault can trigger it...

Mandy czarneski
11. August 2016
Mandy czarneski
11. August 2016
I been taking 1mg xanza a night almost 4 years now I'm having palpation heart rate a little high went to er my blood work was fine so was my heart xrays was good , what can I do for this

Josette
22. May 2016
Josette
22. May 2016
My son 19 yrs old have anxiety ,he have his exam but he is not concentrated he is forgotten what he knows.I am afraid that he is mot passing from final exam .I realise this recently and we dont have time to talk with psychology. What can I do exam within a week.I am very preoccupied.

rosemarie smith
24. March 2016
rosemarie smith
24. March 2016
i am one who has suffered stress/anxity/sad/lonlelyness, all at once for many years. i have only felt a little better since i have joined groups who also feel as i do.!! and this helps,!! its when i am at home alone that i am at my worst, i dont have a lot of friends and no family, i am mostly scared of dying alone, and this can happen at any time now as i am in my early 70s..

Julilia M Harrison
20. January 2016
Julilia M Harrison
20. January 2016
I have suffered from these conditions, triggered by personal problems for many years. And I find there is no difference between Anxiety and depression to be honest when I do get past the doctors receptionist I feel much worse. I tend to look online for sites like this for some slight relief. It depends on weather or not you want to live on medication. Most people don't but have very little choice. Your site has been helpful to me Thank youn

ava
17. October 2015
ava
17. October 2015
Who wrote this article? What year was this article published?

Adam @ Order Carisoprodol Online
9. November 2009
Adam @ Order Carisoprodol Online
9. November 2009
Symptoms of anxiety and stress are driven by the same chemical reaction; stress is a normal response to a threatening situation and anxiety is largely caused by worry. 'Anxiety' and 'stress' are just two different words to describe the same experience and the symptoms are of a higher heart rate, sweaty palms, churning stomach. Anxiety is usually perceived as more short-term, whereas stress can last for weeks, months, or even years.

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Written by HealthStatus Team
Medical Writer & Editor

HealthStatus has been operating since 1998 providing the best interactive health tools on the Internet, millions of visitors have used our blood alcohol, body fat and calories burned calculators. The HealthStatus editorial team has continued that commitment to excellence by providing our visitors with easy to understand high quality health content for many years. Our team of health professionals, and researchers use peer reviewed studies as source elements in our articles. Our high quality content has been featured in a number of leading websites, USA Today, the Chicago Tribune, Live Strong, GQ, and many more.

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