How Anxiety Differs From Fear.
We hear the word “anxiety” being thrown around a lot. Many use it interchangeably with fear or nervousness, but they are not the same. Fears are often primal in nature, they stem from a deep rooted want for safety and self preservation, and is more present-moment orientated than anxiety.
Nervousness is a feeling we all experience from time to time. It is less intense than fear and will be experienced if you have to give a speech or go on a rollercoaster.
Anxiety on the other hand is almost always a future-orientated and longer lasting than it’s fear counterpart. Anxiety is often accompanied by physical symptoms such as trembling, sweating, heart palpitations, upset stomach, light headedness, and increased blood pressure. Anxiety is also often paired with intrusive thoughts that cause us to “spiral” or ruminate for extended periods of time.
Anxiety may seem like a very inconvenient and disruptive emotion, but it has a biological root. When a real or perceived threat is experienced, the body (our adrenal gland) produces stress hormones, cortisol and adrenaline, to prime the body for action (aka our fight, flight, freeze, fawn responses). When no action can be taken/is not taken (such as a work or life related stressor) we are left with the sickening anxious feeling due to the prolonged release of these hormones.
In therapy we can work on identifying your stressors and practice strategies that can work to calm the nervous system down long enough to begin decreasing the stress hormones that may be causing you your increased feelings of anxiety. Reach out today to discuss how we can help decrease your anxiety.
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