At first glance, the concepts seem to be the same. In fact, these states are different in nature. What provokes them? How are their symptoms different? And how to treat them? We understand the details.
It is believed that in small doses, stress can be useful – it stimulates the immune system and activates our internal resources. But if we worry too much or too often, the situation changes radically. Especially when other disorders are added to stress – with even more serious symptoms.
Stress
This is a natural reaction of the body, thanks to which we have the strength to solve urgent problems. Including in order to flee and avoid danger.
If we rarely get into stressful situations, then nothing unpleasant happens to us, most often. However, in modern society, stressful situations happen too often. What is the danger of constant stress? If we do not have time to recover between “attacks”, it can cause serious mental and physical illness.
Getting rid of stress is “easy” – you need to remove the cause. What provokes it. Quit your job, cure a migraine or other chronic pain, deal with family or school problems… If you’re not ready for drastic solutions yet, try relaxation exercises, yoga, or meditation. These techniques help to cope with stress and increase our resilience in tense moments.
Anxiety
Vague fear, that is, anxiety, forces us to be in constant stress. By itself, it is not dangerous, but there is also its malignant form – anxious personality disorder (ATD). Because of him, a person is in constant anxiety about the future and is terribly afraid of unforeseen circumstances. Such people do not know the joy of waiting, they are always afraid of uncertainty.
Without treatment, anxiety disorder can develop into depression, and TPD is treated with psychotherapy and tranquilizers. But you need to remember that anxiety can be a symptom not only of TPD – for example, obsessive-compulsive syndrome or some kind of phobia.
post-traumatic syndrome
Post-traumatic syndrome is anxiety that appears after severe stress, trauma. Moreover, its symptoms usually appear several weeks and even months after the tragic events.
Post-traumatic stress has a profound impact on a person’s life and can lead to serious mental problems such as insomnia and depression. To get rid of it, individual therapy is needed, for example, EMDH – desensitization and working through injuries with eye movement. It is believed that it brings good results.
Panic attack
Anxiety attacks, which we call panic attacks, indicate serious psychological and physical problems. Both one-time and recurring. They can happen if a person is in a state of constant stress. And it’s like a vicious circle – each panic attack sets the stage for the next one.
Panic attacks are treated with psychotherapy and sedatives. Various relaxation techniques also help.