Is It Just Stress Or Should I Worry That It Is An Anxiety Disorder?
Is It Stress Or Anxiety Disorder?
Right from childhood to adulthood, we are faced with many stressful situations. As a child, going to a new school or to a camp away from our parents can cause stress. As grown-ups, we may have to look for new jobs, move to a new city or a new home, we may move into or move out of permanent relationships, get engaged or married, experience the birth of a child, deal with illnesses – all these can be great sources of anxiety and stress.
Typically we undergo stress when we have to deal with unexpected events or changes in our lives. At times, we end up feeling overburdened or overwhelmed by the magnitude or the frequency of the events. Most of us have our ways of dealing with stress and with the help of friends and family are able to cope with these distressing factors. However, there are some who find it more difficult to do so than others. Or there are times when events are so drastic - like losing a loved one or losing a job - that one can experience chronic stress. You may start having headaches, not sleep well, become very moody and irritable, experience stomach distress and so on. Chronic stress may occasionally need treatment from professionals but generally once the situation causing stress has been resolved, the person starts feeling better again.
Anxiety is different from stress to some extent, in the sense that it generally involves more components like emotional and cognitive along with the physical symptoms. Further, the physical symptoms are more severe – you may feel very nervous and tense for an extended period of time. You may occasionally experience shortness of breath, some dizziness, heart palpitations and so on. Anxiety also leads to some serious emotional feelings as well – you may fear that the worst is about to happen to yourself, your family or your friends. Unlike stress, anxiety can continue for some time and can keep you from doing the things you enjoy doing. The sources of anxiety are not always known or recognized and may add to the feeling of distress that you are already experiencing.
Nevertheless, it may surprise you to know that stress or anxiety is good in some sense as it is one way in which the brain and the body help you cope with tough times. When you are under stress, you are more focused on the task at hand and motivated to deal with it successfully. Your body digs into extra reserves of energy and you will find that you can work longer and harder during these times. Everyone goes through such tough situations from time to time and experiences increased levels of anxiety and stress. Once the triggering event has been resolved, your anxiety levels and stress levels come down and you are more at peace with yourself.
In fact, stress is one of the most natural ways our mind and body react when they encounter something that is out of the ordinary. When we are afraid or feel threatened, our body reacts suitably. The adrenal glands start pumping adrenalin - causing the heart to beat faster, the muscles to tense up, blood pressure to rise and the pupils to dilate – all indications that the body’s defense mechanism has been activated. Different people react differently in various situations – some are capable of staying extremely calm even in the most stressful situations while some get completely stressed out while deciding the menu for dinner guests. However, what is common to all those who do experience stress is that once the stressful situation has been dealt with, their state of mind and body come back to normal levels.
Unfortunately, there are times when you may become anxious or stressful during even ordinary times. Riding an elevator or going to the supermarket may cause you great anxiety. In fact, this fear soon turns into an irrational dread of even normal, everyday situations. The kind of fear and worry that you experience are completely out of proportion and may even seem illogical considering the situation you are in. For example, it is quite natural for you to feel some nervousness and anxiety before a big business presentation in front of a large crowd. However, if you start experiencing the same or even heightened form of anxiety while attending small parties or get-togethers, you may have to consider if you suffer from an anxiety disorder.
The most characteristic feature of anxiety disorder is the enormous extent to which it starts affecting your daily life and daily activities. People suffering from anxiety disorders typically suffer from the following physical symptoms.
· Great Restlessness – the person is unable to relax even during weekends or holidays, whether alone or with family.
· Fatigue – the person tends to tire very easily even without any significant mental or physical exertion.
· Muscle Tension – one can feel the constant tension in the back and neck muscles.
· Frequent Headaches.
· Inability to Sleep Well – the person finds it difficult to go to sleep or stay asleep for long.
· Moodiness and Irritability
Of course, one should mention here that some of these symptoms would be experienced even by those under normal stress. However, if the symptoms are intense, frequent and continue over a long period of time and more importantly, seem to have appeared for no apparent cause or reason, the person may be suffering from an anxiety disorder.
If you therefore find yourself unable to control your anxiety, so much so that it has started interfering with your daily life, you should go and consult your doctor or even a mental health professional at the earliest. They will quite often recommend a good non-pill, anti-anxiety program. In severe cases medication may be prescribed. Please be aware that when being prescribed medication, it is important to ask about side effects.
