Anxiety vs Stress: How to Tell the Difference and When to Get Help
Most of us use the words stress and anxiety interchangeably. But they’re not the same thing, and knowing the difference actually matters when it comes to getting the right help.
Stress is a response to something external. A work deadline, a difficult conversation, money pressure, a sick kid. It’s uncomfortable, but it usually eases when the situation changes or resolves.
Anxiety is different. It’s a response that persists even when there’s nothing obvious driving it. The worry doesn’t switch off when the stressor goes away. In fact, sometimes there’s no clear stressor at all.
Here’s how to tell them apart, and when it’s time to talk to someone.
What Stress Looks Like
Stress tends to be:
- Tied to a specific situation or period of life
- Proportionate to what’s going on around you
- Something that eases when the situation improves
- Physically exhausting but mentally explainable
When you’re stressed, you usually know why. You’re overwhelmed, you’re under pressure, and you can generally point to the reason.
What Anxiety Looks Like
Anxiety is less predictable. Common signs include:
- Persistent worry that doesn’t match the situation, or worry that jumps from one thing to another
- A sense of dread or unease that you can’t quite explain
- Physical symptoms like a racing heart, tight chest, shortness of breath, nausea, or dizziness
- Difficulty sleeping, even when you’re exhausted
- Avoiding situations, people, or places because of how they make you feel
- Reassurance-seeking that never quite settles the worry
- Difficulty concentrating, because your mind is occupied with worst-case scenarios
Anxiety can feel like your brain is running a threat assessment on everything, all the time, even when there’s no real threat present.
When They Overlap
Here’s what makes it complicated. Stress and anxiety often co-exist, and prolonged stress can tip into anxiety. If you’ve been under significant pressure for a long time and notice that the worry has taken on a life of its own, that’s worth paying attention to.
Depression also frequently sits alongside anxiety. Feeling flat, losing interest in things you used to enjoy, low motivation, and a general sense of numbness are signs that more than just stress is at play.
When Should You See a GP?
It’s time to talk to someone if:
- Your symptoms have been going on for more than a few weeks
- Anxiety or stress is affecting your sleep, work, relationships, or daily functioning
- You’re avoiding things you used to do normally
- You’re using alcohol or other substances to cope
- You feel like you can’t slow your mind down no matter what you try
- Something just doesn’t feel right and hasn’t for a while
You don’t need to be in crisis to come in. In fact, the earlier you address anxiety, the easier it is to manage.
What Your GP Can Do
A lot of people assume their GP can only prescribe medication for anxiety. That’s not the full picture.
Your GP can assess what’s going on, rule out physical causes (thyroid issues, hormonal changes, and vitamin deficiencies can all mimic anxiety), and discuss the full range of options with you. This includes a Mental Health Care Plan, which gives you access to Medicare-rebated psychology sessions, as well as lifestyle strategies, and medication if that’s appropriate.
At Southport Metro, our GPs work closely with our onsite psychologist to make sure you get support that actually fits your situation.
Book at Southport Metro Doctors
No referral needed. We’re open 7 days a week at Australia Fair Metro Shopping Centre in Southport.
Book online or call us on 07 5612 7830.
This article is for general informational purposes only. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. For personalised advice, speak with your GP.