Are Stress and Anxiety in Teens the Same Thing?

Teenagers often experience stress and anxiety, as we all do. But are they the same thing?  If not, what is the difference between the two?  According to the National Institute of Mental Health, stress is the body’s reaction to danger or excitement.  We often think of stress only relating to negative circumstances, but we stress over good things too, such as an upcoming party, trying something new, or vacation.  This stress reaction causes our body to release hormones that raise blood pressure, blood sugar, and/or heart rate.   While stress is usually caused by an external trigger, anxiety can persist even when there is no obvious cause.   For example, if a teen is worried about the results of a college entrance exam that they’ve already taken, even though that stressor has passed, the anxiety continues as the teen thinks about how that test result could impact their future.  Although this situation started with a stressful trigger, some anxieties are chronic and don’t necessarily have a trigger. For those who don’t experience anxiety, these stress and anxiety scenarios might sound like everyday occurrences that we all face.  But sometimes it becomes beyond what it should be.  Fear of failure is normal and can even be healthy because it spurs us to do our best, but when it keeps us from trying new things or stuck in a pattern then it needs to be addressed.  If anxiety and stress cause prolonged physical problems such as headaches, stomachaches, fatigue, sleeplessness, change in appetite, etc., then it also needs addressed. Want to know if your symptoms are related to stress, anxiety, or both?  Think about what’s going on in your life right now.  Are you worrying about specific threats or events?  Do you tend to worry about the same thing and is it tied to a specific activity or event?  An example might be starting a new job at a new company.  Each day that you travel to your work, you stress and worry that you won’t do well, or that you won’t be able to learn the new duties, etc.  After some time in your new role, you feel more comfortable and start to hear positive feedback from your supervisor.  The stress that you originally had when commuting to work is no longer present, because it was based on a specific stressor – the new job.  However, if you continue to feel this worry and nervousness even though you know that your job and your performance at your job is going well, then this is anxiety. When stressful and anxiety-producing situations occur, it’s helpful to pay attention to how your body or mind responds.  Knowing how your own body reacts to stressors will help you to anticipate your reaction making you more prepared and able to learn ways to cope. The Blues Program for Teens is one program that helps teens learn ways to cope with stress or anxiety, geared specifically for teens aged 14 – 19.  This six hour program helps teach emotional resilience, reducing low mood, anxious thoughts, and prevents substance abuse.  And, as we always recommend, please don’t hesitate to contact professional help when needed.