Choosing Me: Anxiety vs Stress

Stress isn't an illness and in itself isn't even necessarily harmful. It is defined as a physical, mental or emotional tension and can have vital positive effects when it provides the adrenaline we need to face genuine danger or to rise to meet challenges such as giving presentations or coping with life's deadlines and dramas.

Unfortunately, reactions to stress can vary widely and can result in unreasonable, crippling anxiety for some. In fact, 25% of the population will suffer from some type of anxiety disorder during their lives, with women being particularly susceptible. If you are amongst this group, you may find it encouraging to know that anxiety disorders are the most treatable of all mental disorders. 80% who undergo cognitive behaviour therapy report recovery after a year.

Tips and Tools You Can Use

It is essential to recognize that anxiety disorders are medical conditions that require diagnosis by a medical practitioner and subsequent treatment. Don't try to overcome the challenge alone - there are numerous resources to help you. Here are some tips to help you get started:

Types of anxiety disorders

Generalized Anxiety Disorder is characterized by chronic worrying, nervousness and exaggerated fears. It is usually accompanied by physical symptoms that may include headaches, shaking, twitching, hot flushes, breathlessness, dizziness, nausea or insomnia.
Panic attacks involves panic attacks, which lead to a cycle of fear of future attacks. Panic attacks can be terrifying for the person afflicted and may include trembling or shaking, a choking sensation, racing heart beat, dizziness, tight chest, numbness or tingling and the fear that a heart attack or death is imminent.
Social Anxiety Disorder is noted by an extreme fear of being humiliated or 'shown up' in front of others. Symptoms may include a severe fear of speaking, eating or writing in public; blushing, sweating and inappropriate anxiety during social interaction and difficulty making eye contact. Day to day living can become virtually impossible for some sufferers, with serious consequences on work, education and relationships.
Phobias involve an irrational and exaggerated fear of specific situations or objects. Phobias can include agoraphobia (fear of going out) and claustrophobia (fear of being enclosed), amongst many others.
Obsessive compulsive disorder results in continual unwanted thoughts and rituals that the sufferer has no control over. These can range from fear of germs or contamination with subsequent compulsive washing and cleaning, to compulsive touching, checking or counting.
Post-traumatic stress disorder affects sufferers who have been through extreme mental or physical trauma. Symptoms can include traumatic flashbacks, emotional numbness and hyper-anxiety.
Self assessment

Children and Anxiety

Fears, Phobias and Anxiety in children
(http://www.childanxiety.net/Fears_Phobias_Anxiety.htm)
Helping your child deal with trauma
(http://www.parents-talk.com/expertsadvice/ea_st_0005.html)

Treatment

Your general physician may give you a thorough physical examination to rule out any physical medical conditions.
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy is proving highly effective. You may be referred to a psychologist, counsellor or support group who will help you gain understanding of thinking patterns, gradual exposure to and mastery of situations that have provoked anxiety, and various strategies - including breathing and relaxation techniques - to reduce or cease unwanted reactions.
Highly effective medications are available, which form a crucial part of the recovery process for many.
A combination of medication and therapy is reported to be achieving highest success rates.
Coping with anxiety