Being Anxious vs. Anxiety Attacks

What's the difference between being anxious and having a full-blown, debilitating anxiety attack?

I mentioned in previous posts that we all have times when we’re a bit anxious. It’s a natural reaction to a perceived future thread.

Sometimes it’s simply the fear of the unknown. Sometimes we’re afraid that we’ll embarrass ourselves or that we disappoint out loved ones. It’s often not a problem. It’s uncomfortable, but it can also be a good way to motivate you to work harder, study more and the likes. Simple little occasional feelings of anxiety are not a problem and not what we try to reduce in during this challenge.

On the other end of the spectrum are big anxiety attacks. For a few unfortunate individuals, anxiety spirals so badly out of control and their bodies release so many stress hormones that they have to deal with anything from total isolation to frequent panic attacks. It is also often accompanied by severe physical symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, migraines, etc. Treating these types of severe anxiety attacks is also outside of the scope of this challenge. If you suspect you’re suffering from this, please seek professional help immediately.

What we can address is the stuff in the middle. If you are worried and anxious frequently and it’s starting to have an impact on your quality of life and your health, without being a serious medical problem. If your anxiety if impacting your sleep, your ability to relax, to enjoy life with your loved ones, I hope I can give you some tips and ideas to help you reduce it. Give this challenge a try, but if at any time you feel yourself spiralling out of control and towards severe anxiety attacks, don’t hesitate to get help.

What I can show you is how to relax, how to put your thoughts into perspective, how to calm your nervous system down, and how to change your attitude from constant worry and fear to looking forward to what the future brings.

Think about what made you sign up for this 30 Day Challenge, or if you stumbled across this post though a Google search, what made you seek out more information about the difference between anxiety and anxiety attacks?

Reflect on how often you’re feeling anxious on a given day, in a given week, or even a month. Between the spectrum of feeling a little anxious every now and then, and debilitating chronic anxiety, where do you think you’re at? Figure that out and then decide if this challenge could be helpful, or if you need more help.

If you’re on the fence, give it a chance and see how it goes. You may not feel like you need to change at all, but I promise you that in this day and age we can all benefit from a little less stress & anxiety and more relaxation.

Join the 30 Day Decrease Anxiety & Depression Challenge

For more information, tools, techniques and tips visit www.SelfPathfinder.com. Please share this link with anyone you think might find this information helpful.

What's the Difference Between

Anxiety & Panic Attacks?

Download our free printable workbook with writing prompts that will help you learn the difference between worrying & anxiety disorders, how to control your anxiety symptoms & how to speak to loved ones to get the help you need.