Is this Just Stress or Something Else? Know when it’s time to see an Anxiety Therapist

Picture this: It’s Wednesday, and you can’t help but think, “Wow, how is it only halfway through the week?” You’ve been dragging through classes, tackling assignments, working hard, hitting the gym, and finding time to spend with friends. It feels like a whirlwind!  Yet it seems like nothing ever gets accomplished. In fact, more $h*# keeps getting added to your plate. You end up telling yourself, “I just need to push through this week, and then things will slow down.”  But now you’re starting to doubt that and worry that you’ll be stuck in this overwhelming cycle of anxiety forever. Maybe you're even starting to wonder if this is more than just normal anxiety and if it’s time to see an anxiety therapist near you.

Although the terms anxiety, stress, and worry are often used interchangeably, each state is experienced differently and often has a different purpose or function that is fueling it. Today, we will explore how stress, anxiety, and worry differ from one another, as well as how they interact. We will also discuss when normal levels of stress and worry transition into something more significant and when it might be time to seek the help of an anxiety therapist near you.

Stress vs Worry vs Anxiety from an Anxiety Therapist

Let's clarify the differences between anxiety, stress, and worry. 

Stress is a natural physiological and mental response our body has when an external change or challenge, known as a stressor. Our bodies are designed to handle short periods of stress, as it helps us adapt to new and changing situations. When such a stressor occurs, the body sends internal signals that activate the body’s sympathetic nervous system (the fight-or-flight response) and prepare us for action. 

Stress isn’t always a bad thing. For instance, when you’re preparing for a big midterm - stress propels you to get your a$$ to the library to study. Acute stress typically subsides once the threat is neutralized - think of that amazing nap you indulge after finishing your exam. However, if a stressor continues for an extended period, the continued activation of the body’s fight-or-flight response can wreak havoc on the body. That’s where we start getting into trouble. 

Worry is the cognitive component of stress. It is a mental or emotional state characterized by stubborn, negative thought patterns about a specific problem and its potential outcomes. While worry isn’t inherently negative - it’s a normal part of the human experience - it can even serve to jump-start our creative processes and help us find unique solutions to our problems. Examples of normal worry include the nervousness that occurs right before asking someone for their Snapchat. Like stress, normal worry tends to be short-lived, and its impact on our daily lives is minimal.

Anxiety is an emotional response characterized by intense feelings of dread, fear, or apprehension. Unlike stress and worry, anxiety can occur with or without a specific trigger or stressor. This condition is typically future-oriented and can be long-lasting, often revolving around vague or broad threats. It has both emotional and physical components.

The emotional aspect of anxiety includes persistent worries about multiple stressors, fears of impending disaster, and difficulty concentrating. Physically, individuals may experience tight or tense muscles, an increased heart rate, and rapid breathing. While experiencing anxiety for short periods is normal—such as when starting college or learning the ropes at a new job—it becomes problematic when it spirals out of control. If anxiety causes significant distress and impacts your daily life, it's time to seek help from an anxiety therapist.

4 Signs Your Anxiety May Be 'Something More'

Many people can relate to the scenarios described above. It’s normal to feel some level of stress, worry, and anxiety, and these feelings can even have a positive purpose. However, when does anxiety become overwhelming and lead to distress and dysfunction? That may be the time to consider seeing a therapist who specializes in anxiety therapy.

1) Your anxiety feels constant, even when there’s no clear reason for it. 

Despite completing your assignment or closing that significant sale at work, the anxiety lingers. You might find that worries keep telling you that you’re not measuring up at work, even when there’s evidence to prove otherwise. Additionally, the fear of failure may have drained your motivation. Now, not only are you anxious about the possibility of not succeeding, but also anxious about NOT doing anything to work toward your goals, which is causing you to fall behind at work or school.

2) You're overthinking decisions or replaying conversations repeatedly.

You may find yourself overthinking decisions or endlessly replaying conversations in your mind. It feels like you can't escape your own thoughts, stuck in a cycle of rumination where you analyze every scenario and its possible outcomes. Just when it feels like you’ve come to a conclusion - your brain chimes in with, “But what if it’s the wrong decision, and I ruin everything?”

This repetitive thinking can also affect your most important relationships. You might find yourself reading and rereading text messages from your partner, trying to decipher what they mean or whether they've misinterpreted something you said. You may think, “F&#k - what if this is just a situationship? I mean, you never defined things. Maybe that’s why he left me on read." Regardless of whether this thought process resonates with you, that constant mental loop can leave you feeling drained.

3) You're having trouble sleeping, our heart is racing, and you're dealing with gastrointestinal issues.

Every night is a battle to get to sleep and stay asleep. You may even go to bed at a decent hour, but you toss and turn for hours because your brain just won’t STFU. And even if you do get some sleep, it’s never enough and you’re still exhausted. Your heart feels like you’re running a marathon even though you’re literally just sitting on your couch. You may be experiencing more stomach problems than usual, such as upset stomach, constipation, or diarrhea. Maybe it was the extra cup of coffee or maybe it’s your body's response to constant anxiety.

4) You find you’re using alcohol, weed, or other substances more often or to shut your brain off

Many people find themselves turning to alcohol, weed, or other substances more frequently to help relax and quiet their minds. There is a clear connection between anxiety and substance use. When someone starts using substances to manage or alleviate emotional pain, they can quickly slide into problematic use or addiction. 

Some initial signs that there might be a problem include drinking more often or consuming more than intended. For example, you might agree to go to happy hour with friends, but what starts as 1-2 beers suddenly turns into 5, as you automatically accept the next drink without even thinking about it.  Another warning sign could be choosing to drink earlier on Friday because it was a hell of a week, thinking that it will help you relax.

These warning signs can be subtle, but many individuals find themselves quietly questioning whether they have a problem or beginning to look for ways to cut back on their substance use.

TL;DR - It's time to reach out for help in managing your anxiety.

Experiencing some stress, worry, and anxiety is a normal part of life and serves an adaptive purpose. However, if your anxiety symptoms occur frequently, cause you distress, and negatively impact your work, social life, and health, it's essential to talk with an anxiety therapist near you.

Let’s Connect!

At Wandering Beagle Counseling, we specialize in helping college students and young professionals who have transitioned from everyday stress to overwhelming and persistent anxiety. Our counseling offices are located in Evergreen, CO, and Westminster, CO. We serve clients from CU Boulder, the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, as well as DU and Metropolitan State University in the Denver area. Regardless of your circumstances, I'm here to help you manage your anxiety and return to enjoying your life!

Let’s connect for a FREE anxiety therapy consultation to explore what support might look like for you! Click the “Schedule Now” button in the top right corner of the page to get started TODAY!