Center Pensées - French Center for Psychotherapy in Berlin
Stress, Anxiety and Anxiety: What are the differences?
The French language contains a multitude of words, adjectives and adverbs to describe our inner selves. But do we have the same understanding of each of these terms? Although similar and widely used in common language, are we talking about the same thing?
Definitions
Stress appears as a physiological response to an unfamiliar or unstable situation, to keep the body on the alert and enable it to react according to its own strategies. The result is nervousness, leading to constant tension.
Anxiety is a state of feeling insecure. This feeling is essentially psychological. It's a question of tensions of physical or mental origin that have been unable to be expressed, evacuated or discharged. Their accumulation can generate anxiety.
In the most important cases
Comparison table
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Physics Sleep disorders Headaches Heart palpitations Digestive disorders Numbness Dizziness Excessive sweating Hot flushes or chills Tremors |
Psychological Feelings of anxiety (fears, discomfort, etc.) Feeling of loss of control Emotional lability (irritability, anger...), sadness, aggressiveness, etc.) Feelings of guilt
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Cognitive Difficulty concentrating Uncontrollable thoughts
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Anxiety
Anxiety is a sensation and feeling that arises in the face of unknown, indeterminate and unconscious danger. It can be understood as an alarm, an archaic reflex that signals a major malaise.
Symptoms common to anxiety are combined with somatic and neurovegetative manifestations:
- Chest pressure
- Respiratory discomfort
- Accelerated heart rate
- Feeling of a lump in the throat or stomach
In its pathological form, we refer to the neurotic disorder, phobic anxiety disorder or the generalized anxiety disorder. We observe high excitability, anxieties accompanied by somatic and/or neurovegetative manifestations, and are quick to develop certain phobias.
On a more occasional and intense basis, anxiety can appear in the form of anxiety attacks orpanic attacks. An acute attack can last from 5 to 20 minutes. Its expression is sudden and of great intensity. Lying down, letting yourself go, not managing to take a deep breath and closing your eyes can help you let go and relax.
What can be done about it?
Unpleasant emotions become pathogenic as soon as they become contained and concealed. Becoming aware of what's going through us, getting to know ourselves and implementing appropriate strategies are fundamental to achieving balance. In this way, emotion is recognized and simply flows through us.
The keys lie in theexpression of anguish. In a quiet, comfortable setting, we can invite you to write, draw, dance and talk about your emotions.
Psychological support may be necessary in this process. Since the causes are often hidden, a qualified professional can guide you. Do you recognize yourself? Don't hesitate, ask for help.
Bibliography
(1994). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition. (DSM IV). American Psychiatric Association.
André, J. (2011). Preface. In: J. Doron, R. Doron, Inhibition, symptoms and anxiety (pp. V-XIV). Paris cedex 14: Presses Universitaires de France.
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