Stress & Anxiety

Stress and anxiety are both emotional responses, but stress is typically caused by an external trigger. The trigger can be short-term, such as a work deadline or a fight with a loved one or long-term, such as being unable to work, discrimination, or chronic illness. People under stress experience mental and physical symptoms, such as irritability, anger, fatigue, muscle pain, digestive troubles, and difficulty sleeping.

Anxiety is defined by persistent, excessive worries that do not go away even in the absence of a stressor. Anxiety leads to a nearly identical set of symptoms as stress: insomnia, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, muscle tension, and irritability. It is an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts and physical changes like increased blood pressure. People with anxiety disorders usually have recurring intrusive thoughts or concerns. They may avoid certain situations out of worry. They may also have physical symptoms such as sweating, trembling, dizziness or a rapid heartbeat.

Anniversary dates of traumatic events can reactivate thoughts and feelings from the actual event, and survivors may experience peaks of stress, anxiety and depression. Panic Attacks and Panic Disorders are highly treatable with a variety of extremely effective clinical hypnosis therapies and guided meditative interventions. Once treated, panic attacks and/or disorders should not lead to any permanent complications.

- American Psychological Association