Anxiety vs. Stress
Have you ever caught yourself wondering… is this stress, or is it anxiety?
They can feel almost identical in your body…your chest gets tight, your thoughts start racing, your shoulders tense, your energy dips.
And sometimes, you don’t even realize how much you’ve been carrying until you finally sit down at the end of the day.
Here’s the tricky part: stress usually has a clear “why.”
Maybe it’s a deadline, a packed calendar, or something unexpected happening in your life. Once the situation eases, your body can usually let go and settle.
Anxiety, though, is different.
It doesn’t always need a reason. You can wake up with it, feel it during a calm afternoon, or notice it creeping in when life should feel fine.
This is where the DSM-5’s description of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) helps us understand the difference. According to the DSM-5, GAD involves excessive worry on more days than not for at least six months, and it’s paired with symptoms such as:
Restlessness or feeling keyed up/on edge
Fatigue or low energy
Difficulty concentrating or a blank mind
Irritability
Muscle tension
Trouble falling or staying asleep
You don’t have to experience all of these for anxiety to be real—but these patterns highlight why anxiety feels so consuming and why it’s not just “normal stress.”
That’s what makes it so confusing: you’re left asking yourself, “Why do I feel like this when nothing’s even wrong?”
And this matters because how you respond changes everything.
Stress might need rest, delegation, or a break.
Anxiety often asks for something deeper…like support for your nervous system, grounding tools, or therapy to help address what’s keeping your body on high alert.
The more language you have for what you’re feeling, the more power you have to care for yourself in ways that actually help.
Naming it is the first step toward shifting it. 🌿
Disclaimer: This post is for educational purposes only and is not meant for self-diagnosis. If you’re wondering whether you may be experiencing anxiety, consider reaching out to a licensed therapist or medical provider for support.
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