Are stress and anxiety really just the same thing?
Sometimes similar, but they are not the same thing. Stress is a danger alert that goes off in your head. The number of bells, sirens, and flashing lights – the intensity of the alert– depends upon how you perceive the pressure (the stressor.) The stronger you see the pressure to be, the higher the alert. Anxiety is a step beyond stress. It is when the perceptions of future things in your life become overwhelming. Anxiety is when you blow past the symptoms of stress and straight to the overwhelming feelings of anxiety. That’s why it’s important to have a professional evaluate your situation and make recommendations as to how you can feel better and improve your life, whether it be stress or anxiety that is the culprit.
