Definition:
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, can actually harm your mind and your bod over time. This 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.

Anxiety is an emotion often accompanied by various 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 generalized anxiety disorder, specific phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and social phobia.

Common Causes:
Stress can be from fear of an actual danger (an appropriate reaction), an emotional state (like grief or depression), or a physical condition (like an overactive thyroid, low blood sugar, or heart attack).

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 caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, cold remedies, decongestants, bronchodilators for asthma, tricyclic antidepressants, cocaine, amphetamines, diet pills, Ritalin (often used for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), and thyroid medications.

A poor diet can also contribute to stress or anxiety - for example, low levels of vitamin B12. Performance anxiety is anxiety related to specific situations, like taking a test or making a presentation in public. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a stress disorder that develops after a traumatic event like war, physical or sexual assault, or a natural disaster.

In very rare cases, a tumor of the adrenal gland (pheochromocytoma) may be the cause of anxiety. This happens because of an overproduction of hormones responsible for the feelings and symptoms of anxiety.

Home Care:

The most effective solution is to find and address the source of your stress or anxiety. Unfortunately, this is not always possible. A first step is to take an inventory of what you think might be making you “stress out”:

 

• What do you worry about most?  
• Is something constantly on your mind?  
• Does anything in particular make you sad or depressed?

Then, find someone you trust (friend, family member, neighbor, clergy) who will listen to you. Very often, just talking to a friend or loved one is all that is needed to relieve anxiety. Most communities also have resources like support groups and hotlines that can help. Social workers, psychologists, and other mental health professionals are often needed for therapy and, possibly, medication.

Also, take a look at your lifestyle and find healthy ways to cope with stress. For example:

 

• Eat a well-balanced, healthy diet. Don’t overeat.  
• Get adequate amounts of sleep.  
• Exercise regularly.  
• Limit caffeine and alcohol.  
• Don’t use nicotine, cocaine, or other recreational drugs.  
• Learn and practice relaxation techniques like guided imagery, progressive muscle relaxation, yoga, tai chi, or meditation. Try biofeedback with a certified professional to get you started.  
• Take breaks from work. Make sure to balance fun activities with your responsibilities. Spend time with people you enjoy.

Call your health care provider if:

Your doctor can help you determine if your anxiety would be best evaluated and treated by a mental health care professional.

Call your local emergency number (such as 911) if:

 

• You have crushing chest pain, especially with shortness of breath, dizziness, or sweating. A heart attack can cause feelings of anxiety.  
• You have thoughts of suicide.  
• You have dizziness, rapid breathing, or racing heartbeat for the first time or it is worse than usual.

Call your health care provider if the following occur:

 

• You are unable to work or function properly at home because of anxiety.  
• You do not know the source or cause of your anxiety.  
• You have a sudden feeling of panic.  
• You are taking a medication or using a drug that may cause feelings of anxiety.  
• You have an uncontrollable fear - for example, of getting infected and sick if you are out, or a fear of heights.  
• You repeat an action over and over again, like constantly washing your hands.  
• You have an intolerance to heat, weight loss despite a good appetite, lump or swelling in the front of your neck, or protruding eyes. Your thyroid may be overactive.  
• Your anxiety is elicited by the memory of a traumatic event.  
• You have tried self-care measures for several weeks without success or you feel that your anxiety will not resolve without professional help.

What to expect at your health care provider’s office:

Your doctor will take a medical history and perform a physical examination, paying close attention to your pulse, blood pressure, and respiratory rate.

To help better understand your anxiety, stress, or tension, your doctor may ask the following:

 

• When did your feelings of stress, tension, or anxiety begin? Do you attribute the feelings to anything in particular like an event in your life or a circumstance that scares you?  
• Do you have physical symptoms along with your feelings of anxiety? What are they?  
• Does anything make your anxiety better?  
• Does anything make your anxiety worse?  
• What medications are you taking?

Diagnostic tests may include blood tests (CBC, thyroid function tests) as well as an electrocardiogram (ECG).

If the anxiety is not accompanied by any worrisome physical signs and symptoms, a referral to a mental health care professional may be recommended for appropriate treatment.

Psychotherapy such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has been shown to significantly decrease anxiety. In some cases, medications such as benzodiazepines or antidepressants may be appropriate.

Diseases and Conditions Center

All ArmMed Media material is provided for information only and is neither advice nor a substitute for proper medical care. Consult a qualified healthcare professional who understands your particular history for individual concerns.