What’s the Difference Between Worry and Anxiety?

Have you ever felt overwhelmed with a sense of dread or fear? Everyone experiences worry in their lives. It’s normal to have worries about things like family, work, relationships, or finances. Both are normal emotions, but the intensity and duration of your emotional state can be vastly different. When those worries become persistent, excessive, uncontrollable and interfere with daily life, it may be a sign of anxiety. Let's take a closer look at what makes worry and anxiety distinct from each other.

What is Normal Worry?

Normal worry is relatively short-lived and leads to positive problem-solving behaviour. Whenever you are faced with a difficult situation or decision, it’s natural to think about all the possible outcomes. For example, if you have an upcoming job interview, it is normal to feel some degree of worry about it. You may focus on researching the company’s culture, practicing answers to common interview questions, and reaching out to trusted mentors for advice. The goal is to “feel better” by taking action that prepares you for success in the future. Worry can also be characterised by a lot of “what if” statements such as “What if I don’t get the job?” or “What if I embarrass myself during the interview?” This kind of worry is beneficial as it helps you think through your options and make informed decisions. Worry can lead to constructive action plans.

What is Anxiety?

Anxiety on the other hand is more than just a passing concern; it becomes an ongoing state of mind that colours every aspect of life. The World Health Organization defines anxiety as “a feeling of unease, such as worry or fear, that can be mild or severe." It involves worrying over several different things for at least six months and feeling unable to control these worries. It can also cause physical symptoms such as rapid heart rate, sweating, trembling or shaking, fatigue and insomnia. Anxiety can be present most days, even when there is no apparent reason for it, and interfere with one's ability to focus on tasks or lead a normal life due to feelings of dread or panic attacks. Such feelings are stronger than normal worries over everyday situations like job interviews or public speaking engagements - they are more pervasive and disruptive; they affect one’s thoughts, behaviours, physical health, relationships with others, work productivity etc., making it harder for individuals suffering from anxiety disorders to cope with their day-to-day lives without help from professional therapists or prescribed medications (if necessary).

… and now what?

The important thing to remember is that everyone experiences worry differently and there’s no one-size fits all definition for what constitutes a healthy amount of worrying versus an unhealthy amount of worrying. Worrying about something is natural; however if it persists for long periods of time then it might be indicative of an underlying mental health condition called an anxiety disorder which requires more specialised care than simple worrying does.

If you are concerned about your own thoughts or feelings surrounding worry or anxiety, consider talking to a mental health professional who can help identify whether your concerns are within the range of normal worries or something more serious like anxiety disorder. Mental health professionals can provide invaluable support in making sure that your symptoms do not become too overwhelming so that you can live your life fully again without being hindered by constant worrying thoughts!  If you believe that your worries are getting out of control then don't hesitate - seek help today!  Remember that seeking help doesn't make you weak - rather it shows strength because you recognise that something needs to change in order to make life better again! Taking steps towards understanding your concerns will help you manage them better in the long run.

If you want to learn more about feelings and emotions and gain a variety of skills to manage them, enrol in our online course Working with Emotions, which will guide you to understand what you feel and how that manifests in your body, mind, and actions.