Do I Have Anxiety or Worry?
Understanding the distinction will allow you to cope with either situation more successfully. While we often use these words interchangeably, they are separate creatures with distinct consequences for health and well-being. This article will provide you with all of the information you need, including how to detect the signs, symptoms, and different forms of anxiety, as well as how to get the relief you require.
“You worry too much.” How many times has that been spoken to you? If you're one of the 40 million Americans who suffer with anxiety, you've probably heard these four words a lot. Everyone worries from time to time; it's a natural aspect of being human. You may experience anxiety as a result of an extremely demanding schedule, a lack of exercise or sleep, stress at home or work, or even too much caffeine.
Have you ever considered beginning a new job or school and found your heart racing and your thoughts racing with a series of "what ifs?" If this is the case, you may be wondering, "Do I have anxiety?" Anxiety is your body's natural response system to a threat. When your brain suspects that you are in danger, it sends a cascade of messages to your body, culminating in the fight-or-flight reaction.
Some Key Differences Between Worry and Anxiety
1. Worry is mostly felt in our mind, whereas anxiety affects both the body and the mind.
2. Worry is clear and specific, whereas anxiety is typically ambiguous and generalized.
3. Worry is anchored in reality and facts whereas anxiety can be characterized by catastrophic thoughts.
4. Anxiety impairs function, but worry does not. You are unlikely to be compelled to take a sick day due to worry. Anxiety, on the other hand, creeps into your mind and makes it difficult to focus and get things done.
5. Worry comes and goes, and the consequences have little impact on your daily life. Whereas anxiety produces more frequent and acute discomfort, which can have a negative influence on your quality of life.
6. Because worry is a normal part of our life, it is usually a sensation that feels manageable. Whereas Anxiety can feel so strong and chronic, it frequently requires the assistance of a mental health expert.
General Anxiety
Anxiety is not inherently harmful. Normal levels of anxiety are at one end of a continuum and may manifest as moderate dread or trepidation, slight muscular tightness and perspiration, or concerns about your ability to accomplish a task. Importantly, typical anxiety feelings do not interfere with regular functioning. They may actually increase your concentration and problem-solving abilities, inspire you to work harder toward a goal, or alert you to a potential danger.
Fear over an approaching test, for example, would likely motivate you to completely prepare, and the anxiety a hiker may have upon seeing a bear makes the hiker to flee to safety. These examples show how normal amounts of anxiety may be adaptive and beneficial in everyday life.
Clinical degrees of anxiety are at the other extreme end of the continuum. Anxiety disorders develop when anxiety levels rise quickly enough to impede performance and cause impairment.
How would you know if you were suffering from a full-fledged anxiety disorder? Anxiety disorders are distinguished by intense, continuous concern that is excessive for the circumstances, as well as significant avoidance of anxiety-inducing events. These symptoms induce distress, impede everyday functioning, and last for an extended length of time. A person who has to remain home from work several days in a row owing to panic attacks, for example, is most certainly suffering from an anxiety condition.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Uncontrollable and persistent worry that interferes with your everyday life might be a sign of a generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). GAD is defined as the presence of excessive anxiety and concern about a range of subjects, situations, or activities. If frequent worries and anxieties keep you from going about your daily activities, or if you have a persistent worry that something awful may happen, you may be suffering from generalized anxiety disorder.
People with GAD are chronic worrywarts who are nervous majority of the time, even if they don't know why. GAD is frequently accompanied by physical symptoms such as sleeplessness, stomach discomfort, restlessness, and tiredness.
Unlike a phobia, when your fear is associated with a specific object or event, GAD anxiety is diffuse—a general sense of dread or uneasiness that pervades your whole existence. This anxiety is less than a panic attack, but it lasts considerably longer, making regular living difficult and relaxation difficult. It is both psychologically and physically demanding to suffer with generalized anxiety disorder. It depletes your vitality, disrupts your sleep, and exhausts your body.
Worry and Anxiety Both are Treatable
While anxiety disorders can be crippling, stopping you from living the life you desire, it's essential to realize that you're not alone. Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health problems, yet they are also extremely curable. If you feel your anxiety is an issue, you should consult with a skilled therapist. Early identification and intervention are critical since anxiety may worsen over time if left untreated. You might realize that you worry more than you’d like to. Yes, therapy can help minimize the amount of worry you have as well!
Seek Professional Help
While self-help coping methods can be extremely useful in mitigating different types of anxieties, it is critical to seek professional treatment if your worries, anxieties, or anxiety attacks have gotten severe and are causing considerable discomfort or interrupting your regular routine.
If you have a lot of physical complaints, I’d recommend a medical checkup. Your doctor can determine whether your anxiety is caused by a medical condition such as a thyroid problem, hypoglycemia, or asthma. If you don’t have a lot of faith in your current doctor, I’d be pleased to recommend some great local medical staff.
Therapy – the Way to Go
Therapy can assist you in identifying the root cause of your worries and anxieties, learning how to relax, viewing events in new and less scary ways, and developing stronger coping and problem-solving abilities. Therapy equips you with anxiety-relieving tools and teaches you how to utilize them.
Anxiety disorders respond extremely well to therapy, and for many, in a very short period. The treatment strategy is determined on the type and intensity of the anxiety problem, as well as your particular needs.
For many, cognitive-behavioral therapy can help you recognize and challenge the negative thinking patterns and irrational beliefs that are contributing to your anxiety. However, the Recovery Collective will take a holistic perspective to determine what modality will best help you with your worry or anxiety.
See a Therapist Today!
At some time in our lives, we all suffer stress, anxiety, mood swings, and other types of emotional discomfort. Whether it's due to a career failure, rejection, financial problems, relationships, personal loss, or something else. The majority of the time, we are able to recover. However, there may be occasions when we require a little additional assistance.
Taking care of your mental health improves your capacity to cope with daily pressures and deal with problems more effectively. This is why it's critical to pay attention to your mental health and get help if you feel things are spiraling out of control.
It's critical to remember that reaching out is not a sign of weakness, but rather a vital step toward self-care. And the sooner you recieve help through treatment, the sooner you will be able to get back on track. So call or email today and get rid of all your worries and anxieties once and for all.