The Difference Between Stress, Anxiety and Depression

Though all three are common psychological disorders, there is vast difference between stress, anxiety and depression. Let us see what the basic differences are.

Our reaction changes according to the demands or pressures of the environment in which we live. That total response is termed as stress. It was in the 1950s that the term was researched upon. The term then represented not only the causes but also the impact of these pressures. However, in the recent years, the word stands for the motivation or stimulus that prompts a stress response. Human beings regularly interact with one another and their environment on a regular basis. While doing this, stress arises when these interactions cross the level of adaptive capacities and intimidate their well being. It should be particularly noted that the stress responses would be different in different individuals according to their personality traits, general health, stamina etc. Stress related diseases are common in people who are dependent on others. For example, children, elderly people, socially disadvantaged owing to gender, race, educational factors etc. Extreme levels of anger or fear, despair etc are other risk factors.

Anxiety is something which has impact on our whole being and can be explained as the body's automatic response to a threatening situation or danger. Though anxiety helps in performing well to a certain extent, it turns out to be a disorder when it exceeds the limits. Then you remain anxious, but fail to understand what you are anxious about. It has been found that anxiety is normally stimulated by stress. There are many symptoms of anxiety which include trembling, heart palpitations, backache, numbness, nausea, churning stomach, headache etc.

Depression is in fact the chaotic condition of your mood. Sadness, despair and lack of interest in things which were interesting earlier are associated with it. Some people face this condition for a short duration whereas others may have to go through it for prolonged periods. Symptoms of depression include fatigue, lack of concentration, pessimism, insomnia, eating too much or too little, suicidal tendencies, low sex drive, crying spells etc. Proper understanding regarding the difference between stress, anxiety and depression is needed to identify and tackle them successfully.