Are you worried or anxious – They are not the same!

If you are one of millions of people across the world living with anxiety, then you have probably heard the words “You worry too much” from just about everyone you know. While worry is a part of anxiety, it is definitely not the same thing.

Worry has become a modern-day pandemic filling minds with doubts and insecurities, from the small things like wondering if you switched off the stove - to the big stuff like imagining that your headache is really a brain tumour. Worrying and brooding about things which have not happened is likely to lead to a disabling anxiety disorder at some point in the future.

Studies have shown that worry is a normal thought process, and can sometimes function as a survival instinct if you suspect danger is present. However, if worry is caused by over-thinking certain situations, it becomes synonymous with fear, and interferes with your life and personal goals

What is the difference between worry and anxiety?

Here are the main differences between worry and anxiety:

·      Worry. Worry means that you are able to control the intensity and duration of your worrying. If you make a shift in your thoughts and focus on something else, the worry often disappears.

·      Anxiety. If you have anxiety or depression issues, it is not easy to make an attention shift from one thing to another. All kinds of irrational thoughts may overwhelm you and feed your anxiety.

 

·      Worry. Worry may cause mild, but temporary, general physical tension.

·      Anxiety.  Anxiety is known to contribute to some serious physical conditions such as panic attacks which manifest in heart palpitations, body trembling, shaking and chest pain. Other conditions which may be caused by anxiety are high blood pressure, bad headaches, stomach pain, nausea, and sudden bouts of fatigue.

  

·      Worry. Actual events cause to worry. It happens when you are thinking about a real event which is taking place, or something that is going to take place. These are thoughts which you can usually keep in perspective, especially if your attention is diverted to something else.

·      Anxiety. The mind creates anxiety which can easily make you think a totally worst-case-scenario about everything, and blow things completely out of control. People with anxiety are often unable to rid themselves of disastrous expectations. 

 

·      Worry comes and goes. Normally the results of worry do not affect your daily life.

·      Anxiety. Anxiety does not go away, and can cause enough distress to negatively affect your daily life.

 

·      Worry. Because worry is a part of our daily lives, unless it is especially chronic, it is typically a feeling we can control without getting professional help.

·      Anxiety. Managing persistent anxiety often requires the help of a professional counsellor in the mental health field.

If you have concerns about an anxiety disorder which is affecting your life, there are treatment options to help you successfully manage anxiety and worry.

A recommended treatment preference.

Studies have revealed that up to a point, worrying is a normal part of life, but when it becomes excessive and seems out of your control, it can cross the line into a full-blown anxiety disorder. Mental health experts agree that hypnosis by an experienced therapist is the key to creating a new positive mindset, and eliminating the thought processes of worry and anxiety.

Worry is known to be a learned behaviour pattern often emanating from security issues and negative thinking. Hypnosis is able to access the subconscious mind and get to the root causes of poor behaviour patterns. 

Hypnotherapy can help eliminate bad memories, identify and change responses to anxiety triggers, as well as help to create a new, optimistic mindset fully resistant to urges that try to keep you bound in a cycle of worry and anxiety.

Always seek out the services of a reputable hypnotherapist who is well-versed in the treatment of the co-morbid partners – worry, anxiety and depression.