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How Stress Differs From Anxiety
Interviewer: Stress is something that most of us experience every day. But how do you know when it's turning into something more serious? To help us understand some of the differences between stress and anxiety, we're joined by Dr. Jason Hunziker, who is the Division Chief of Adult Psychiatry at Huntsman Mental Health Institute.
Dr. Hunziker, let's start just kind of basic. What is stress, and how is it typically experienced?
Dr. Hunziker: Stress is a normal reaction that we have that's built in, that our body uses to warn us of challenges that we have in the environment.
Interviewer: And what is anxiety?
Dr. Hunziker: Anxiety is often confused with stress because they actually feel quite similar. But I think that the experience that people have in the pattern is definitely different. People who have anxiety tend to have more of these symptoms that are going on inside themselves. It is this persistent feeling of worry, fear, uneasy, that sticks around all of the time. And there really is no clear reason that you can put your finger on for why it's there.
And unlike stress, anxiety isn't always linked to a specific trigger. There is generally some reason why we are feeling stressed. You know, we're walking on the edge of a building and we're looking over the edge, and we're like, "Oh, man, I'm feeling stressed." But sometimes you're sitting in your office, and you're listening to music, and all of a sudden it feels like you're walking on the edge of a building, and you're like, "Well, what's going on? I don't understand." And that is the problem, I think, with anxiety, is that it feels like our body is telling us, "You're being charged right now by a massive lion, you need to run." And in fact, it's this little bunny jumping down the road looking at you. So it's really an uneasy feeling.
When Everyday Stress Turns Into Anxiety
Interviewer: Does that mean that stress can lead to anxiety, or are they completely separate?
Dr. Hunziker: They are definitely linked together. The good stress that we get can be related to a thing that we're about to do. It helps us stay motivated, it helps us stay focused, and then goes away once whatever that situation was that caused those sensations in our body goes away. However, if we stay in stress, if we're always stressed, if we have a chronic medical problem, or we have loved ones who are suffering, or we have relationship difficulties, and the stress continues, that can then lead to chemical changes that eventually can lead to anxiety.
Recognizing Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders
Interviewer: One of the things that I'm a little curious about is that I've heard about people who have an anxiety disorder... I've heard generalized anxiety disorder or something like that... What are some of the, I would say, hallmark symptoms that kind of note that it's not just anxiety, it might be an anxiety disorder?
Dr. Hunziker: Anxiety is different for everybody. Everybody will experience their anxiety in a different pattern. And so we look for a constellation of things that help us determine whether this is something that needs to be addressed through, you know, medications or therapy, or if this is something where we can use some techniques to help with the stress in their life.
People will have problems with sleep. People will sit up all night long and make lists, or wring their hands, or be fidgety, or not be able to focus or get anything done because their body is so consumed by this sensation that something bad is going to happen. They can feel panicky, like they're always on edge. Their heart can be racing, problems with respirations. They can't eat. They have bowel changes, weight loss. There are so many different things that can happen with anxiety.
Ultimately, it is this persistent fear that something bad is going to happen, though there is really nothing in the environment that would give us that stimuli. So it can be different for everyone, but ultimately it ends in the same spot, which is that it disables me. I can't do my work. I can't engage in relationships. I can't leave my home. I can't really do anything that I want to do because the fear is overwhelming.
Effective Treatments for Anxiety
Interviewer: If someone's anxiety hits that kind of level and they need to go get, you know, some sort of treatment, what treatments are even available for something like that?
Dr. Hunziker: There are lots that people can do depending on what situation they're in and the severity of the symptoms. So there are medications. A lot of people use antidepressants, which essentially are a misnomer in this case, because they work extremely well for generalized anxiety and panic and PTSD, and social phobias, all of which are classified in that anxiety syndrome. And there are specific medications that can be used for immediate need, like benzodiazepines. Of course, there's therapy that is very, very good. CBT is one of the best therapies for anxiety.
I think the main point is that there are things that can be done. Let's not sit and suffer through this. Let's go in and talk about it and get something done so that we can get back to a happy and healthy life.
Overcoming Stigma and Seeking Help
Interviewer: What would you say to someone who is maybe reading or listening along who thinks they might have anxiety and it might be getting pretty serious, but they're unsure or maybe even embarrassed about seeking help?
Dr. Hunziker: I think that I like that last point you just made, embarrassed. I think a lot of people feel like somehow they are defective, or broken, or unusual, or weird, because they have these experiences that they don't see others in their life have. And I think it's so important to remember that these disorders are often kept secret. And that is why they end up in such a bad state by the time, unfortunately, I get to see people.
So I would encourage you that if you are anxious, if you are feeling worried, if you are concerned about the way you are experiencing your life, please talk to someone. Talk to your doctor. Talk to a loved one. Share your experience so that they can then let you know what's next.
As I said, there is so much we can do to help with these symptoms. I don't like to see people sit and suffer when I know that there's something we can do to help. Get online. There are resources for anxiety understanding and education on the Huntsman Mental Health website. If it gets terribly bad, please just pick up the phone and call 988. That will get you immediate support, and they will get you where you need to be so that you can get on to the process of healing.