[vacantangel]

I've never been in this forum before, why is beyond me cuz I deal with anxiety all the time. I have a question, I think it is gonna show my stupidity but I'm gonna risk that and ask anyway.

What is the difference between feeling anxious or stressed?

Is stressed the feeling you have when you're already in a situation and anxious the feeling you have thinking about something maybe not so pleasant that has yet to happen?

[wi_fighter]

Wow, AG, that's a good question. I never thought about it, but I'd have to say that's a pretty good description.

[jmo531]

That is a good question.

Anxiety for me is excessive worry. Sometimes it can be about something lagitimate or the "what ifs". I try very hard to notice triggers for my anxiety. I beleive once I can take notice of that, then I will be able to deal with my anxiety in a more productive manner. I also suffer from OCD so my intrusive thoughts can also spin me right into an attack and that is very hard for me. Over time it has gotten a bit easier for me to notice my thoughts, realize they are just thoughts and let them slide away as easily has they came in. Like a Teflon pan. I try to have Teflon thoughts. I'm no master at this by any means but I try and most of the time I have success.

Stress........ARG!!! For me stress is about a specif issue. It weighs on my mind heavily. I beleive I am the biggest source of my stress. I place a tremendous amount of pressure on myself in most situations.
I think that if a person experiencing stress from a job or something in their home life, and they dont deal with it can eventually turn into anxiety. Like my job for instance. I used to stress myself out about deadlines. About never calling in sick. About being perfect. Yes I actually thought I had to be perfect. So after 4 years of this behavior, it caught up with me. I couldnt be all those things anymore and I literally fell apart. It caused me anxiety so overwhelming that I have to take medical leave to deal with those issues and many other issues I had been neglecting.
I hope this made sense. I have a hard time getting my thoughts out. Of course I havent had good sleep in days so maybe thats it too. LOL. I'll probably think of other things to add later but thats all I have for now.

[INaBOX]

I think relatively, they both mean the same thing. Stress is more to do with emphasizing on a particular situation (ie: money) ; and anxiety is more to do with a generalized fear (public speaking) and possibly chronic. In other words, persistant stress may in turn, be labelled as anxiety .. at least in my opinion.

[TgrsPurr]

Hey AG, glad to see you came here and are asking questions, good for you!

I can only answer this question in the context of "chronic" anxiety. Chronic anxiety is the persistant and constant presence of the symptoms of anxiety...persistant feelings of worry, even if for nothing in particular. Butterflies in your gut all the time. Inability to keep still because the anxious feeling is overwhelming the body and senses. Chronic anxiety is the effect of chemistry in the brain and the adrenals not functioning properly and therefore causing certain symptoms...you know your symptoms. When the anxiety becomes elevated it results in a panic attack (very serious) or an anxiety attack (a little less severe, but very acute symptoms of anxiety). Gosh, I hope this is coming our right, it's harder to explain than I thought.

Stress on the other hand is much more specific, they are real causes for the stress, even if the stress is induced by an imagined threat or concern or situation. An argument, family issues, relationship issues, work issues, monetary issues. Stress will present itself in the body a little different...tension, headaches, stomach aches, ulcers and other symptoms.

In my opinion, anxiety is more severe than stress. It feels farther out of our reach of control, although it can be lessened by certain lifestyle changes and relaxation techniques and a change in perspective about yourself, your symptoms and your life.

Again, I've become long winded. Sorry, just trying to explain as concisely as I can. Obviously I have issues explaining in a "nut shell". Hope this helps AG. TgrsPurr, xo.

i agree with the answers and explanations above.....i'm stressed about my house sale and i woke up this morning filled with anxiety about everything that could possibly come down the pike!! the anxiety was a "what if" that covered all aspects of my life..the stress is definitely centered on my financial future....p

[nothemama8]

Stress will go away once the sitituation calms down, Anxiety comes at the least expected time, and can last for minutes or days, etc
Being anxious is a side effect of worrying about the sitituation
Angie

i totally agree with you, NTM!! now if my situation would better itself!! hope we're helping, it's a good question.

[nothemama8]

I like the idea of being like a Teflon Pan
Angie

[jmo531]

LOL. Me too Angie!!!! Nice analogy isnt it?

(((((((((((((ANGIE)))))))))))))

[nothemama8]

I believe this needs to be bumped up, we have given several replies to the question and *I* was wondering if these have help answer your question AG
Angie

some really great info in this thread.....thanks, guys.