There is a difference.
Before anxiety comes stress, which comes and develops from many factors in our lives such as work, family, and school pressures. However, stress is caused by a present tension circumstance, whereas, anxiety is a fear that continues to strike panic even after the circumstance is gone. It is normal for an individual to feel stressed before a job interview, with the worries and concerns vanishing after the event. It becomes an urgent matter when someone is still feeling the extensive stress feelings when the stressor, the interview, is gone. This is anxiety, where the overriding emotions of concern, bother and judgment makes a person fall apart, as the symptoms being chest pain, dizziness, breathing problems, anxiety attacks, etc. also begin to interfere with life.
Stress comes into play with one’s mental and physical state when something throws them off their routine, and is how they respond or concur the situation. However, anxiety is a constant feeling of instability and edginess, with either being a short-term condition (days and weeks) which is natural and okay. But anxiety becomes a mental diagnosed disorder when it interferes with an accustomed lifestyle, for an incredibly extended period or it is of a severe level.
Here are some lists made by some professionals, of symptoms of both stress and anxiety, to help differentiate between the two.
Remember, if you have been suffering from anything above for a long amount time, it is probably time to talk to professionals, even if you think it’s nothing.
If you like this check out My Anxiousness Calmer which can help at times of panic, and find everything anxiety-related by going to my Anxiety section! And share with family and friends to let them know the differences between stress and anxiety.
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