Are anxiety and stress the same thing?

Stress and anxiety can look alike and even feel alike, but the two are distinct in a few ways. Stress usually comes from a short-term response to a perceived threat. Anxiety can linger and doesn’t always have an identifiable trigger. Symptoms of both anxiety and stress can be very similar:

Stress

Rapid heartbeat

Faster breathing

Digestive upset

Anxious thoughts

Irritability or anger

Feelings of being overwhelmed

Overall unhappiness

Anxiety

Rapid heartbeat

Hyperventilation

Digestive upset

Anxious thoughts

Sense of dread

Nervousness, tension

Sweating

Restlessness

Stress and anxiety are part of the fight or flight response (also called the stress response cycle). When you detect a threat, the brain responds by activating the fight or flight response which triggers the release of stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline, which in turn cause the heart to beat more rapidly, more blood to pump to larger muscle groups, blood pressure to spike, and breathing to speed up. Each of these responses is to help you either flee from danger or stand and fight it off.

Treating and managing anxiety and stress include using relaxation exercises like using yoga, calming visualizations, progressive muscle relaxation, and breathing exercises. Incorporating physical activity can help the body process the energy created by stress and anxiety.

If stress or anxiety begins to interfere with daily life, it results in using drugs or alcohol to cope, fears you believe to be irrational, changes in sleep or eating habits, significant trouble accomplishing daily tasks like showering, long-lasting periods of lower mood, self-harming behaviors, suicidal thoughts, or feeling that you’re out of control, talk with your doctor or licensed mental health professional.

If you’re experiencing thoughts of harming yourself or suicide, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

While stress and anxiety are normal human responses to perceived threats and are even healthy responses to threats you may detect, they can also become problematic. Creating a healthy stress management routine to incorporate into your day can be helpful. If stress or anxiety becomes overwhelming, seek out the support of friends and family, your trusted medical provider, and a licensed mental health therapist.