Put simply, stress is the feeling we have when under pressure, while stressors are the things we respond to in our environment. Stress comes down to two things: whether we appraise situations around us as worthy of stress or distress, and how our body then reacts to those thought processes. This instinctive physical response to unexpected events or stressors is known as “fight or flight”.
When stress persists, it can turn into anxiety — and that anxiety can remain even after the stressor has gone or been resolved. Learning to recognise and manage stress is a skill, and support can make a real difference.
Stress vs. anxiety
Typically the feeling that your demands outweigh your resources — feeling overwhelmed by pressure, producing a fight-or-flight response. A stress thought might be: “I have so many assignments due this week — why did I leave it all to the last minute?” You feel under the pump, but not necessarily worried it won’t work out.
A similar fight-or-flight response, but different at a cognitive level. For the same situation: “There’s no way I’ll finish these. I’m going to fail, I won’t graduate, everyone else will, and I’ll look like an idiot.” Fear, worry and apprehension take over. If stress persists, it can turn into anxiety — which can remain even after the stressor is resolved.
What to watch out for
Because people handle stress differently, symptoms vary — and can overlap with medical conditions, so it’s worth discussing them with your doctor too.
Where ongoing stress can lead
People with chronic stress have a higher chance of developing a depressive or anxiety disorder. Some research has found that people in high-stress, low-reward roles had a substantially higher risk of developing depression within a few years than those in lower-stress roles. Stress can also contribute to developing or worsening conditions such as bipolar disorder and PTSD, as well as physical conditions including cardiovascular disease, autoimmune conditions, diabetes, gut-health issues and pain conditions.
The mind and body are deeply connected — you cannot react in a stressed or anxious way without it affecting you physically in some way. Our minds are very powerful.
If you’re having trouble managing your stress effectively, it helps to work with a Clinical Psychologist who can provide effective, evidence-based techniques so you can enjoy life again and reduce your risk of developing another psychological or physical health condition. Ashley Gilmour, Clinical Psychologist, has extensive experience in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of stress, and can help you learn to manage stress and anxiety with an evidence-based approach.
While medication from your GP may help reduce symptoms, it often masks stress temporarily rather than building the skills to face challenging situations calmly into the future. Medicare rebates are available for eligible clients with a Mental Health Care Plan. To enquire or book by phone, text us on 0474 919 759.
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