Is it Stress or Anxiety?

Many people use the word anxiety when they feel stress. Stress is a normal part of life. But are stress and anxiety the same thing? You can think of stress as a form of mild, low grade anxiety. In this context the words can be used to mean the same thing. Stress, like anxiety is a normal part of life. It’s unavoidable. This is different from having an anxiety disorder. An anxiety counselor can help with both.

An anxiety disorder is when a person has frequent and intense bouts of anxiety. Often the anxiety is so intense that it interferes with their daily life. There are many different types of anxiety disorders. Let’s first take a look at the general symptoms.

Anxiety Symptoms

• Restlessness
• Feeling nervous
• Constant muscle tension
• Increased heart rate
• Difficulty concentrating. Having a hard time thinking about anything else besides the trigger thought
• Trembling
• Trouble sleeping
• Difficulty controlling worry or reoccurring thoughts and concerns
• Having a sense of impending doom, panic or danger
• Rapid Breathing (hyperventilation)
• Gastrointestinal (GI) problems
• Attempt to avoid things that trigger anxiety
• increased blood pressure and/ or nausea

Oftentimes these symptoms show themselves in the face of a specific stress in your life.  These stresses can range from relationship, family or work stresses to dealing with a difficult medical condition. However, when these symptoms become overwhelming and near constant, anxiety can affect your quality of life.  Though anxiety is common, it does not have to rule your life or make you feel powerless.  Therapy can help you identify what might be triggering your anxiety. An anxiety counselor or therapist can help you learn to respond in a healthier way that serves you better.

Different Types of Anxiety: What an Anxiety Counselor Sees

There are many different types of anxiety. Let’s look at some of the most common kinds:

General Anxiety

If you tend to worry a lot even if there’s no reason, then you may have Generalized Anxiety Disorder. The worries tend to be constant and not limited to one particular area of your life. People tend to worry about their job, family, money, or their health.  The worry is not focused on one thing in particular, but tends to be free floating. It tends to be constant and persistent.

Panic

A panic attack is a type of anxiety that comes suddenly in predicable situations. People experience a sense of sudden terror, tightness in the chest, or like they are having a heart attack. You could feel panic while flying, around dogs, or in enclosed spaces, just to name a few examples. If panic gets in the way of your daily life than you could have Panic Disorder. It is wise to seek help from an anxiety counselor for Panic Disorder.

Social Anxiety

Social Anxiety is fear that occurs in social situations. People with Social Anxiety Disorder often go out of their way to avoid social situations. Often they fear being judged or scrutinized by others. Physical signs can include fast beating heart, blushing and your mind going blank. This goes beyond just being shy. You might have difficulty making eye contact, speak in an overly soft voice or have a rigid body posture.

Phobias

People with a phobia have intense fears about experiencing a thing or situation.   They try hard either to avoid it or endure despite strong worry and discomfort. Often these are irrational fears that may have little do with the source of their actual fear. When this happens over time it can become a Phobia-related disorder. Luckily, there are several treatments that can help. And a trained anxiety counselor or therapist can help you learn over come these symptoms.

There can also be specific phobia too. Let’s look at specific phobias a little more closely. This is an irrational fear and avoidance of a particular object or situation. Phobias are different than other types of anxiety in that they are connected to a specific cause. Agoraphobia, for example,  is the fear and avoidance of unfamiliar situations.  People may be afraid of being trapped in an elevator. Or they may be afraid to leave their home.

Separation Anxiety

 Separation anxiety is common among children and adults. It is not something only kids deal with. People who have separation anxiety disorder experience intense fears when separated from someone they feel attached to. Often, this is a primary attachment figure such as a parent.  But it could also be a spouse,  partner or child.  They often worry that some sort of harm will occur to them when they are away. This leads to intense fears of being alone. They try to avoid it at all costs. Often this leads to clinging behaviors, nightmares or even physical symptoms.

Selective Mutism

This type of anxiety is less common in adults but it is often found in kids. People with selective mutism have the ability to speak but often do not. Selective mutism occurs when people do not speak in specific social situations. These signs usually present before the age of 5 . It is similar to social anxiety in that  fear of social embarrassment or extreme shyness often contribute to withdrawn behavior. Unlike, social anxiety though,  a person may withdrawal to the point that they are unable to speak, despite having normal language skills. Many people with people selective mutism are often also diagnosed with other anxiety disorders.

Despite this diagnosis, there is hope for kids and teens with selective mutism. Many kids with this disorder are incredibly creative. And treatment that involves both art and music show really great outcomes.

What Causes Anxiety?

There are not one, but many factors that contribute to anxiety.  Some of these include a persons genes, plus environmental factors like a person’s living and work environment. A person’s early experiences as a child can also contribute. An anxiety counselor or therapist can help you identify possible causes as well as solutions.

Looking for an Anxiety Counselor?

Connect with a highly trained Somatic Therapist or Yoga Therapist by contacting our office. They will help you not only beat anxiety but improve your life using a holistic approach.

Book your appointment now.

We are located in St Louis, Missouri and serve people in the following communities: Webster Groves, Kirkwood, Crestwood, Maplewood, Brentwood, Rockhill, Richmond Heights, Clayton, Shrewsbury, Lindenwood, Ladue, Central West End and the surrounding areas.

Give us a call at: (314) 827-5448 or email us at admin@danceofchange.com

We offer in person sessions in our office in Saint Louis, MO in Webster Groves as well as video (Telehealth) session for anyone located in the state of Missouri.