Delray Beach, Florida Anxiety & Stress Disorder Treatment

The Difference Between Anxiety & Stress Disorders

There are a few key differences between anxiety and stress disorders, despite their having several overlapping symptoms. Anxiety disorders are characterized by chronic excessive worry or fear that significantly impairs the individual’s daily life, but do not require a definitive cause to emerge. Conversely, stress disorders are time-limited and develop in response to specific, identifiable traumatic events and stressors. 

Causes of Anxiety & Stress Disorders

Anxiety and stress disorders are thought to arise due to a wide variety of factors that come together in a complex way to trigger their development. Moreover, they are not the result of a single factor but the product of many physical, mental, and environmental variables.

Common Factors Involved in Stress-Related Disorders Include:

• Traumatic life experiences, e.g., experiencing or witnessing physical/sexual abuse, accidents, natural disasters, or other traumatic events
• Substantial life changes or stressful events, e.g., loss of a loved one, job loss, financial difficulties, divorce
• Childhood adversity, e.g., neglect or abuse

Common Factors Involved in Both Anxiety & Stress-Related Disorders Include:

• Genetics/family history predisposition
• Imbalances in brain chemistry/neurotransmitters
• Personality traits, such as a tendency to use excessive caution or hypervigilance
• Distorted thought patterns, such as excessive worrying or perceived loss of control
• Chronic medical conditions that cause significant impairments and burdens on daily life
• Stressful or traumatic events in childhood
• Chronic work- or financial-related stress or burnout
• Lack of social support or exposure to societal pressures and expectations
• Substance use or withdrawal

Common Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety and stress-related disorders can be expressed through a variety of symptoms, which can vary in nature and intensity among individuals.

Symptoms of These Disorders May Include:

• Excessive worry
• Avoidance behaviors
• Panic attacks
• Feeling overwhelmed
• Increased heart rate
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness/lightheadedness
• Gastrointestinal issues
• Physical tension
• Restlessness
• Trembling or shaking
• Fatigue
• Irritability and agitation
• Sleep disturbances
• Difficulty concentrating
• Racing thoughts

Types of Anxiety & Stress Disorders

There are several types of anxiety and mood-related disorders. They encompass a range of conditions characterized by excessive worry, stress, or fear that impair daily function.

Anxiety Disorders

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)—GAD is marked by ongoing, excessive, and uncontrollable worry about various life aspects, such as relationships, work, health, and everyday situations.
• Panic Disorder—This is hallmarked by recurrent and unexpected panic attacks, or sudden episodes of intense fear and physical and psychological symptoms.
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)—OCD is characterized by obsessions (persistent, unwanted thoughts) and compulsions (repetitive behaviors or mental acts) performed in response to obsessions. 
• Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)—SAD (also known as social phobia) is hallmarked by an intense fear of social situations and being judged or embarrassed by others.
• Specific Phobias—Phobias are characterized by an intense and irrational fear of a certain stimulus, such as heights, confined spaces, open spaces, flying, social situations, etc. (1)

Stress-Related Disorders

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)—PTSD develops in response to exposure to a traumatic event, and is diagnosed with symptoms that persist for more than a month and interfere with daily functioning. Examples of events that may trigger PTSD include natural disasters, terrorist attacks, the threat of harm or death to oneself or another, and sexual assault.
• Complex PTSD (C-PTSD)—C-PTSD can manifest as a result of prolonged, repeated exposure to traumatic stressors, such as military combat, childhood abuse or neglect, or long-term domestic violence.
• Acute Stress Disorder (ASD)—ASD can be triggered by a traumatic event, similar to PTSD, but is diagnosed when symptoms present within the first month following exposure.
• Adjustment Disorders—These are short-term conditions that onset in response to a specific stressor or life event and include adverse emotional and behavioral symptoms. Examples of events that can trigger adjustment disorders include divorce, childbirth, a career change, and moving to a new city. (2)