You may feel nervous about a situation but proceed anyway, while suffering from anxiety can lead to avoiding specific situations, changes in your routine, or even phobic behaviors. Anxiety is a broader, more persistent state of excessive worry, fear, and apprehension.
Examples of Nervousness or Anxiety
Everyone feels nervous or anxious in certain situations. But occasionally, feeling nervous is not the same as experiencing anxiety. The difference between feeling nervous in certain situations versus experiencing anxiety is the intensity and frequency of the symptoms.
Nervousness is generally considered a mild form of anxiety and is usually associated with a certain event or situation. A certain level is normal in common situations and everyday life. Maybe it’s a big test, worries about paying your bills, or needing to find a new job. Or maybe you’re worried about the state of the world right now, or you might have a nagging feeling that things aren’t right. These are normal, day-to-day feelings — and may be alleviated through better sleep, better eating, more exercise, and engaging in your community.
Anxiety is a more overwhelming feeling often grouped with stress. With anxiety, there’s a consistent, nagging feeling that can impair your day-to-day life. Anxiety can also manifest physically, with the negative effects of restlessness, a racing heart, shortness of breath, trembling, difficulty concentrating, and sleep disturbances. When you feel anxiety persistently, it may be chronic anxiety, and it would help to talk to someone.
What To Do Now
Realize that a lot of people feel this way. You’re not alone. You can easily access are resources that can help relieve your anxiety. Go to FindHelp.org now, or call 988.