We’ve all felt it. That needling feeling at the back of your mind. Something nagging at you, making you question yourself, others or your surroundings. To step carefully, take a few seconds to think and wonder “Is this right? Am I ok? What if…?”
That feeling? That’s worry, and it’s totally normal and a part of what makes us human. It makes us pay attention to things, motivates us, and helps us problem solve.
So what exactly is anxiety then? Isn’t it the same? Not quite. In this article, we’ll dive into the differences between worry and anxiety, how to tell when anxiety becomes a problem and what to do to make sure anxiety doesn’t get the best of you.
Worry Vs. Anxiety: What’s the Difference?
Ever parked the car and rushed into work, only to sit there wondering if you forgot to lock it? Or wondered if you completely bombed a test, even though you studied? These emotions are often called worry or anxiety, and many people use both words to describe the same feelings. While both worry and anxiety are completely normal, there is a difference.
Worry is:
- the feeling of concern or uneasiness about a situation or problem (for example, you might worry about your grades, your finances, your job or relationships)
- is often specific
- a response to a realistic concern
- and an emotion that can help you problem solve, pay attention and find the motivation to take action.
While uncomfortable, you could say worry is a “good” feeling.
Worry Vs. Anxiety: What’s the Difference?
Ever parked the car and rushed into work, only to sit there wondering if you forgot to lock it? Or wondered if you completely bombed a test, even though you studied? These emotions are often called worry or anxiety, and many people use both words to describe the same feelings. While both worry and anxiety are completely normal, there is a difference.
Worry is:
- the feeling of concern or uneasiness about a situation or problem (for example, you might worry about your grades, your finances, your job or relationships)
- is often specific
- a response to a realistic concern
- and an emotion that can help you problem solve, pay attention and find the motivation to take action.
While uncomfortable, you could say worry is a “good” feeling.
Anxiety is:
- a reaction to something you perceive as dangerous or stressful (you might feel anxiety about getting in a traffic accident while driving, losing a loved one when they’re sick, or losing your job after making a mistake)
- overbearing and often hard to handle
- a feeling that comes on quickly and stays around longer
- an emotion that can interfere with your daily life
- and a reaction to something that you perceive, meaning you might find a situation to be anxiety inducing, but another person may not be anxious about it at all.
Anxiety, as opposed to worry, might be something we would call a “bad” reaction, or at least an emotion that can get the better of us.
When Anxiety Becomes a Problem
So how does anxiety go from a nuisance to a mental health disorder? And what are the symptoms? The best way to tell if your anxiety has become excessive is if it begins to take over your life. If your anxiety becomes so overwhelming, you may even begin to experience physical symptoms.
Common physical, mental and emotional signs of an anxiety disorder include:
- Regular feelings of panic, fear or impending doom
- Feeling wound-up or tense
- Racing thoughts
- Muscle tension
- Fatigue
- Jitteriness or the inability to stay still
- Sleep issues
- Heart palpitations
- Irritability
Anxiety becomes an issue when it begins to put a stranglehold on your life. If you find you’re unable to take that next step in your career because you excessively worry about failing, or you can’t seem to make connections with others because you’re too overwhelmed by the thought of messing something up, you’re probably suffering from chronic anxiety.
Now’s the time to get a hold of these constant worries, learn some relaxation techniques and seek help from a mental health professional.
Getting a Handle on Your Anxiety
When anxiety evolves into something debilitating like Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD,) panic disorder, social anxiety disorder or any other number of anxiety disorders, it’s important to learn some strategies to slow down your constant worrying. Common ways to stop anxiety in its tracks include:
- Meditation and Breathing: Caught up in an anxiety or panic attack? Take a second to breathe. Try breathing in for four counts, hold it for four seconds, then out for four counts. Repeat until you feel your anxiety lessen. You can also try meditating, by finding a quiet place, closing your eyes and clearing your mind. Practice the same breathing technique until you find yourself calming down.
- Exercise: Burn off that excess anxious energy. Even if you don’t think you have the time, a quick 10 minute walk can work wonders for putting your mind at ease.
- Exposure: Is there something that particularly causes you anxiety? For example, if you find yourself hyperventilating anytime you have to be in a room full of strangers, consider slowly exposing yourself to similar situations. Grab a coffee at a busy time. Once you climb that hurdle, take it a step up. Go to a busy shopping center for ten minutes. By exposing yourself to situations that cause you anxiety, you can slowly teach yourself that there’s nothing to worry about.
While these techniques are great ways to lessen anxiety, it’s always best to seek individualized care. And what exactly is that, you ask? Well, that’s me!
Therapy for Anxiety: Why It’s Worth Your While
As a therapist that specializes in anxiety, I can tell you that seeking professional mental health care is always the best option when you’re looking to conquer your anxiety. A therapist can offer specific tools and strategies to help you in the particular situations that cause you the most anxiety. For example, I help many who struggle with social anxiety get back into the game, or those who struggle with panic attack disorders learn to stop fearing what’s around the corner.
Long story short, an anxiety therapist can help you define what’s normal worry and what’s debilitating anxiety, apply the right techniques to help you live without constant tension, and find a future that’s relatively worry free!
CBT for Anxiety in Ft. Lauderdale
If you’re struggling with overwhelming anxiety, therapy may be the right route for you. Let me help you change your negative thoughts about yourself and the situations around you. Together, we’ll conquer that dreaded anxiety once and for all!
Don’t hesitate to call me at Essence of Healing Counseling Services at 954-526-4006. Schedule your first free 20-minute phone consultation or book your first appointment.
You Know That Nagging, Voice of Self-Doubt in Your Head? Tell It to Shut Up.
With therapy for anxiety, self esteem, or migraines, I can help you build an arsenal of tools you can use to achieve the life you deserve. Believe me. You got this!
Therapy & Coaching at Essence of Healing Counseling Services
Roberta Alves is a Therapist and Development Coach at Essence of Healing Counseling, in downtown Ft. Lauderdale, FL. She is also a Certified Anxiety Specialist who uses the solution focused and evidence based therapy called cognitive behavioral therapy. Research has shown that cognitive behavioral therapy is proven to be extremely effective in treating anxiety and improving self-esteem. Roberta provides counseling services to her clients who live in Ft. Lauderdale and the surrounding South Florida areas through telehealth counseling via online video and phone sessions. She also provides coaching services to clients throughout the country via online video and phone sessions. If you want to learn proven techniques to overcome stress, improve your self-esteem, and achieve your goals, call (954) 526-4006 to schedule an appointment today.
