What's the difference between stress and anxiety?

While stress and anxiety share some common symptoms, there are some key differences. Stress is a short-term response to a challenging or threatening situation. Anxiety is a long-term set of feelings. These feelings can interfere with daily activities, even if there doesn’t seem to be a reason.

Understanding these differences is important. By recognising whether you're experiencing stress or anxiety, you can identify the most effective ways to manage your symptoms and take steps to improve your mental health.

Table of contents

• Stress vs anxiety
• Can stress develop into anxiety?
• What are the different anxiety disorders?
• When should you see a doctor?
• Treating stress
• Treating anxiety
• Looking to get help with stress or anxiety?

Stress vs anxiety

Stress and anxiety are often confused, but there are distinct differences.

• Stress is usually caused by an immediate external event or situation (e.g. work pressure or a family problem). It is temporary and fades once the stressor is removed. Stress is the body’s natural response to challenges, typically felt as tension or pressure.
• Anxiety is a longer-term feeling that persists even when there is no obvious trigger. It's a constant state of worry, fear, or unease. It typically leads to physical symptoms like heart palpitations and difficulty concentrating.

There are, however, some shared symptoms between stress and anxiety:

• High heart rate
• Sweating
• Feeling nervous or on edge

These symptoms occur because both stress and anxiety trigger the release of adrenaline in response to a perceived or real threat.

What is stress?

Stress is a normal response to a situation or event that feels challenging. It's our body's initial reaction to stressors, such as a demanding job, financial worries, or relationship problems.

While stress can be uncomfortable, it can also be a positive motivator that helps us to rise to a challenge. However, if stressors persist and become chronic, they can lead to physical and mental health problems, such as headaches, fatigue, and depression.

Ongoing stress that is left un-addressed can cause burnout - a state of emotional, mental, and often physical exhaustion. It is characterized by decreased motivation, lowered performance, and negative attitudes towards yourself and others.

What does stress feel like?

Stress can manifest in various ways, impacting your body, thoughts, and emotions.

Physically, you might notice a racing heart, muscle tension, or headaches. Emotionally, stress often feels overwhelming, with heightened irritability or difficulty concentrating.

You might also feel restless or anxious, as if constantly on edge. These responses are your body's way of preparing to face a perceived challenge, but when prolonged, they can become exhausting and affect daily life.

Find out more about how to cope with overwhelming emotions.

What is anxiety?

Anxiety is a set of feelings characterised by excessive fear and worry, even when there is no apparent threat. Unlike regular fear, which is a response to immediate danger, anxiety manifests in vigilant, cautious, or avoidant behaviours in preparation for future danger that may or may not arise.

Unlike stress, anxiety isn't always linked to a specific event or situation. People with anxiety disorders may experience feelings of unease, nervousness, or fear that persist and interfere with their daily lives.

What does anxiety feel like?

Anxiety often feels like a constant state of worry or fear, even when there is no obvious reason for concern.

It can cause physical symptoms, such as a racing heart, dizziness, and shortness of breath. Mentally, it might feel like being stuck in a loop of negative thoughts. This can make it feel unable to relax or focus.

Anxiety can also lead to irritability, restlessness, and trouble sleeping, as your body stays in a heightened state of alertness. These symptoms can make it difficult to go about your daily life, especially if they persist for weeks or months. It's important to recognise that anxiety affects both the mind and body, and requires help from your GP or a psychiatrist to manage it.

Read more on how to get help for anxiety.

Can stress develop into anxiety?

Prolonged or chronic stress can develop into anxiety. When stress becomes persistent and overwhelming, it can trigger feelings of constant worry, fear, or unease, which are characteristic of anxiety.

If left unmanaged, this stress can disrupt daily life. This can lead to a more sustained emotional response. In some cases, people may also develop anxiety disorders, such as Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD), as a result.

What are the different anxiety disorders?

There are several types of anxiety disorders, such as generalised anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder, and each has specific symptoms and treatment options.

Generalised Anxiety Disorder

Generalised Anxiety Disorder is marked by excessive, uncontrollable worry about everyday things such as work, health, or social interactions. People with GAD find it hard to control their anxiety.

Panic Disorder

Panic Disorder involves recurrent and unexpected panic attacks. Sudden periods of intense fear or discomfort are often accompanied by physical symptoms, including rapid heartbeat, sweating, and difficulty breathing. These attacks can occur without warning and may lead to a fear of future attacks.

Social Anxiety Disorder

Social Anxiety Disorder is characterised by an overwhelming fear of being judged or criticised in social situations. People with social anxiety may avoid social gatherings or feel extremely uncomfortable around others.

When should you see a doctor?

Understanding the differences between stress and anxiety is vital for good mental health management. Whether you are experiencing stress or anxiety, it is essential to seek help and support to find the most effective treatment options and live a happy, healthy life.

If you are unsure whether you are experiencing stress or anxiety or want to talk to someone about your symptoms, reach out to a mental health professional for support and guidance.

Treating stress

Stress can often be managed with lifestyle changes, such as exercise, mindfulness, and better sleep.

It's important to manage stress, as chronic stress can increase the risk of developing an anxiety disorder or depression. Psychotherapy, such as talk therapy or counselling, can help you identify the sources of stress and develop coping strategies. Lifestyle changes, such as regular exercise, reducing alcohol consumption, and practising self-care, can also help relieve stress.

Treating anxiety

Treatment for anxiety typically includes talking therapy, which helps you identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviours. You may also be prescribed medication. These can include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which can help relieve anxiety symptoms. Discover more information on taking medication for anxiety.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is one of the most effective types of therapy for anxiety, aiming to challenge negative thinking patterns and teach coping strategies.

In some cases, lifestyle changes can also play a crucial role in managing anxiety. Regular physical exercise, a balanced diet, and practising relaxation techniques such as mindfulness or deep breathing exercises can help reduce anxiety symptoms.

Learn more about types of therapy that can help with anxiety.

Looking to get help with stress or anxiety?

Take the first step toward helping your anxiety or stress by discussing assessment options.

Contact us now at 0203 761 7026. You can also take one of our online anxiety tests or stress tests for some insight into how many of your symptoms are related to stress or anxiety.

As the UK’s largest private mental health partnership, we're dedicated to supporting children, adults, families, and organisations nationwide. Let's start your journey towards clarity and support today.