Is it Stress or Anxiety?
How To Tell The Difference Between Stress And Anxiety
Stress and anxiety are two of the biggest factors that lead to physical health problems and emotional health problems. They are also two of the biggest reasons people seek out therapy.
According to the Office on Women’s Health, women are more likely to have mental health conditions made worse by stress.
April is National Stress Awareness Month, and it is important to recognize the impact stress plays in your life.
In this blog, I’m sharing with you how stress and anxiety are linked and how stress can affect women.
I am an anxiety therapist in Wilmington, NC, and specialize in therapy for anxious high-achieving women. I provide anxiety treatment, treatment for perfectionism, and burnout counseling.
I provide online anxiety therapy for high achieving women living in North Carolina and Maryland.
Ready to get started in anxiety therapy with me? Click the button below to online book and reserve your free 15-minute consultation on the date and time of your choice.
Keep reading to learn more about the difference between stress and anxiety and how it might be showing up in your life.
What is the definition of stress?
When you are experiencing stress, what you are experiencing is the body’s natural reaction to an event taking place.
The stress response can be physical, emotional, or both.
What are the symptoms of stress in women?
The combination of symptoms of stress may look differently in each woman but the list of stress symptoms below are most common.
Changes in appetite
Sadness or depression
Irritability
Sweating
Headaches
Changes in sleep
Challenges in getting pregnant
Irregular menstrual cycle
Muscle tension
Restlessness
Changes in sex drive
Social withdraw
Stress vs Anxiety Difference
Often stress and anxiety are used interchangeably and it makes sense because they share a lot of commonalities.
The easiest way to put it is, anxiety is the reaction to stress. Stress is most often caused by an external event.
For anxiety to be present, there does not need to be an external event that took place. Anxiety can be present due to a perceived threat and can continue to be ongoing.
Learn about what is anxiety.
Different Types of Stress
There are also different types of stress and not all stress is bad for you. At times, stress can be a motivator and help you take action in some circumstances.
What is Eustress?
Eustress is the kind of stress we need in our lives to help us move forward and grow. Eustress is also the kind of stress we may experience when we are also feeling love, excitement, and happiness.
Some examples of eustress include moving and relocating, changing jobs, traveling, getting married, or learning a new skill.
All of these things can be stressful and challenging at some points but they also help you to grow and typically are worth the stress in the end.
What is Chronic Stress?
Chronic stress is the stress that just continues to linger. It is the stress that is persistent and ongoing. Chronic stress is oftentimes what causes physical and emotional health problems over some time.
Chronic stress can come from experiencing job dissatisfaction and work burnout. It can also come from difficult relationships, financial problems, and other challenges related to well-being.
Begin Anxiety Counseling in Wilmington, NC at Calm Waters Counseling
Women often carry around a large backpack of all the things they collect throughout the day, week, month, etc. This adds up over time. Stress can impact your life in so many ways, especially for women.
It’s important to understand and realize the difference between experiencing stress vs anxiety.
Check back to the blog next week as I share the importance of having a stress management plan and what that looks like.
I use acceptance and commitment therapy in Wilmington, NC for anxiety treatment.
Learn more about ACT for Anxiety and how it can be helpful for you.
Get started in therapy at Calm Waters Counseling by following these 4 simple steps:
Click the button below to schedule your free 15-minute consultation
Complete the brief questionnaire sent to your email before the consultation
Meet with your Wilmington, NC therapist
Start living your life and gain control of your stress
Therapy for High-Achieving Women in Wilmington, NC at Calm Waters Counseling
You’re an anxious go-getter and that comes with some challenges.
I’ve designed Calm Waters Counseling to specialize in addressing some of the challenges experienced by anxious high-achieving women including perfectionism and burnout.
Check out the additional services provided below.
Anxiety therapy in Wilmington, NC
Treatment for Perfectionism in Maryland
Burnout Counseling in Wilmington, NC
Therapy for Imposter Syndrome in Wilmington, NC
Online Anxiety Therapy in Maryland
Being a high-achiever means you have a lot on your plate.
Because of this, online therapy may be a great option for you and meet your needs.
Online therapy is effective and online therapy has a lot of benefits.
Therapy occurs over a video safe platform where the therapist and client can both see and hear each other. This makes it possible to provide the same type of treatment as you would get in the therapy office.
Learn more about how different therapy models extend to the online therapy platform.
ACT for Anxiety with Online Therapy
CBT with Online Therapy
To learn more about beginning online therapy at Calm Waters Counseling in your state, click the links below.
online therapy for anxiety in North Carolina
online anxiety therapy in Maryland
Still, have questions? Click the buttons below to learn even more!
Written by: Laura Rippeon, LCSW, LCSW-C
Updated 3/16/23