Anxiety is an intense, excessive, and persistent worry and fear that becomes a part of one’s everyday life and occurs regardless of situation/environment. There may not be an identifiable stressor and the person can become anxious for no reason, or for irrational reasons that do not fit the reality of the situation.
Stress is a condition or feeling experienced when a person perceives that demands exceed the personal and social resources the individual is able to mobilize. It can lead to cognitive (thinking) and/or physiological (physical) disruptions. Typically, a person can identify a stressor (a situational/environmental condition) that created the stress reaction.
A person is diagnosed with an anxiety condition, such as Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, or a Phobia, if the symptom experience is intense and pervasive enough to significantly interfere with a person’s daily functioning. The anxiety concern must affect a person’s functioning in multiple areas, including academics, social life, work, and being able to effective care for one’s self. About 20% of people who believe they have anxiety actually end up being diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.
If someone believes they have experienced a significant disruption to their daily functioning due to anxiety, then it is best to pursue mental health counseling for the concern. In this case, a trained professional can meet with the person to determine what clinical remediation options would best fit for the person. These options could be ongoing talk therapy, medication, coping skills training, group counseling, and referrals to other professionals to determine the scope and depth of the problem.
If unsure if the concern is stress, anxiety, or an anxiety disorder, check out this free, online screening at the Student Counseling & Psychological Services website.
Useful Apps to counter anxiety:
Self-Help Anxiety Management (SAM): SAM is a friendly app that offers a range of self-help methods for people who are serious about learning to manage their anxiety.
iTunes link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/self-help-for-anxiety-management/id666767947?mt=8
Google Play link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.uwe.myoxygen&hl=en
T2 Mood Tracker: T2 Mood Tracker is designed to help you track your emotional experience over time and to provide you with a tool to share this information with your health care provider. This app comes with six pre-loaded issues: anxiety, depression, general well-being, head injury, post-traumatic stress, and stress.
iTunes link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/t2-mood-tracker/id428373825?mt=8
Google Play link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.t2.vas&hl=en
Anxiety Tool Box
This workshop will help lower anxiety symptoms and increase coping skills. Access this popular in person workshop from the comfort of your own space.
This workshop is a three-session seminar, each session lasting 30 minutes, intended to help increase your understanding, knowledge, and skills regarding anxiety. The Anxiety Toolbox uses a cognitive behavioral framework to help you recognize and manage symptoms you may be experiencing.
Last modified: 04/03/2020
