5 Signs Your Anxiety Is More Than Just Stress—and What to Do About It

Everyone experiences stress from time to time. A big work deadline, an important social event, or an unexpected life challenge can make anyone feel anxious. But when those feelings become persistent, overwhelming, or interfere with daily life, they may indicate something more serious—an anxiety disorder rather than just everyday stress.

While stress is typically a response to an external situation and subsides once the issue is resolved, anxiety often lingers, intensifies, or appears without a clear cause. Anxiety disorders include various conditions, each with its own set of challenges, but all involve excessive worry or fear that can disrupt daily functioning.

If you’re unsure whether what you’re feeling is stress or something more, here are five key signs of anxiety that may indicate it’s time to seek professional help—and what you can do about it.

1. Your Worry Feels Constant and Uncontrollable

One of the clearest signs that your anxiety is more than just stress is persistent, excessive worry. With everyday stress, concerns typically arise in response to specific events and fade when the situation improves. However, individuals with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) experience frequent, uncontrollable worry about multiple aspects of life—work, relationships, health, finances—often without an obvious  clear trigger.

This type of anxiety can make it difficult to focus, relax, or enjoy daily activities. It can also feel disproportionate to the actual situation, leaving you emotionally drained. If your mind constantly races with anxiety fear, even when nothing obvious is wrong, it may be time to seek help.

2. You Experience Physical Symptoms of Anxiety

Anxiety doesn’t just affect the mind—it also impacts the body. While stress can cause occasional headaches or muscle tension, chronic anxiety can lead to physical symptoms that feel overwhelming and distressing. These can include:

• Shortness of breath
• Racing heart or chest tightness
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Trembling or excessive sweating
• Digestive issues or nausea

These symptoms occur because anxiety triggers the body’s fight-or-flight response, a survival mechanism designed to protect against danger. However, when the body remains in this heightened state for extended periods, it can lead to exhaustion and further anxiety.

If you frequently experience physical symptoms without a medical explanation, anxiety could be the underlying health condition at play.

3. You Avoid Social Situations Due to Fear

It’s normal to feel nervous before a big presentation or social event, but when fear of social situations becomes so overwhelming that you start avoiding them altogether, it could be a sign of social anxiety disorder.

People with social anxiety often experience intense self-consciousness, fear of judgment, or panic in everyday interactions, such as speaking in meetings, making phone calls, or even eating in public. This avoidance can limit professional and personal growth, making it harder to maintain relationships or pursue new opportunities.

If social situations leave you feeling paralyzed with fear, working with a mental health professional can help you develop strategies to manage anxiety and regain confidence.

4. You Experience Panic Attacks

Panic disorder is a manifestation of anxiety characterized by recurring panic attacks—sudden episodes of intense fear that peak within minutes. These attacks often come without warning and can include severe physical symptoms, such as:

• Shortness of breath or hyperventilation
• Chest pain or tightness
• Dizziness or feeling faint
• Chills or sweating
• A feeling of impending doom or loss of control

Because panic attacks can mimic heart attacks or other medical emergencies, many people initially seek medical attention before realizing anxiety is the cause. While occasional panic attacks can happen to anyone, frequent episodes that interfere with your mental health may indicate a panic disorder.

5. Your Anxiety Is Getting Worse Over Time

A crucial sign that anxiety is more than just stress is that it doesn’t resolve on its own—it gets worse over time. Stressful situations eventually pass, allowing stress levels to return to normal. However, untreated anxiety tends to grow, making everyday tasks increasingly difficult.

If you’ve noticed that your anxiety has escalated in intensity, frequency, or duration, it’s a strong indicator that professional support is needed. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), to name one popular approach, along with other treatments for anxiety, can help you regain control and prevent anxiety from dominating your life.

What to Do If You Recognize These Signs

If these cases of anxiety sound familiar, the good news is that help is available. Anxiety disorders are highly treatable, and various treatments for anxiety can help you manage symptoms and improve your overall well-being.

Therapeutic Approaches for Anxiety

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – One of the most effective treatments for anxiety, CBT helps individuals recognize and change unhelpful thinking patterns that fuel anxiety.
• Exposure Therapy – This is a specific approach found within the CBT toolbox that will gradually exposure you to anxiety-inducing situations while assisting you in learning and using new mechanisms to cope as “exposure” escalates. It can help reduce fear and avoidance behaviors.
• Medication – In some cases, medications such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs can be beneficial alongside therapy.
• Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques – Meditation, deep breathing, and progressive muscle relaxation can help calm the nervous system and reduce fight-or-flight responses.
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) – Originally designed for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), EMDR can help process past trauma that may be contributing to anxiety.

Finding the right treatment depends on your unique experience with anxiety. A licensed therapist can help determine the best approach based on your specific needs.

Take the Next Step Toward Managing Your Anxiety

If anxiety is interfering with your daily life, relationships, or overall well-being, professional support can make a significant difference. Wellington Counseling Group offers evidence-based therapy for individuals struggling with generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and PTSD. Our experienced therapists specialize in CBT, talk therapy, and other effective treatments for anxiety to help you regain a sense of balance and control.

We proudly serve Chicago neighborhoods, including River North, Lakeview and Lincoln Park as well as surrounding suburbs, such as Northbrook and the North Shore. If you’re ready to take the first step toward managing your anxiety, contact us today to schedule a therapy session.