Stress can come from any situation or thought that makes you feel frustrated, angry, or anxious. What is stressful to one person is not necessarily stressful to another.
Anxiety is a feeling of apprehension or fear. The source of this uneasiness is not always known or recognized, which can add to the distress you feel.
Alternative Names
Anxiety; Feeling uptight; Stress; Tension; Jitters; Apprehension
Considerations
Stress is a normal part of life. In small quantities, stress is good -- it can motivate you and help you be more productive. However, too much stress, or a strong response to stress, is harmful. It can set you up for general poor health as well as specific physical or psychological illnesses like infection, heart disease, or depression. Persistent and unrelenting stress often leads to anxiety and unhealthy behaviors like overeating and abuse of alcohol or drugs.
Emotional states like
Anxiety is often accompanied by physical symptoms, including:
- Twitching or
trembling - Muscle tension,
headaches -
Sweating - Dry mouth, difficulty swallowing
- Abdominal pain (may be the only symptom of stress, especially in a child)
Sometimes other symptoms accompany anxiety:
- Dizziness
- Rapid or irregular heart rate
- Rapid breathing
- Diarrhea or frequent need to urinate
- Fatigue
- Irritability, including loss of your temper
- Sleeping difficulties and nightmares
- Decreased concentration
- Sexual problems
Anxiety disorders are a group of psychiatric conditions that involve excessive anxiety. They include
Common Causes
Certain drugs, both recreational and medicinal, can lead to symptoms of anxiety due to either side effects or withdrawal from the drug. Such drugs include:
- ADHD medications
- Alcohol
- Amphetamines
- Bronchodilators for asthma
- Caffeine
- Cocaine
- Cold remedies
- Decongestants
- Diet pills
- Nicotine
- Thyroid medications
- Tricyclic antidepressants
