Anxiety Vs PTSD: Which Is It And How Do I Fix It?
When you have the physical symptoms of anxiety in your daily life, it can be difficult to know if it’s anxiety or PTSD. In this article, I compare anxiety vs PTSD and explain how to figure out which you have.
How Is PTSD Different Than Anxiety?
The starting point for differentiating between PTSD and anxiety is to look at the definition of each one. They are
- PTSD is anxiety triggered by a traumatic experience that has already happened (ie. a past event).
- Anxiety is our body’s natural way of dealing with stress or fear of something in the future it regards as a potential threat.
Anxiety Symptoms
There are some similar symptoms of PTSD to symptoms of anxiety. See if you notice similarities:
- On Edge: Constant restlessness and inability to relax
- Excessive Worry: Persistent worry is a common symptom
- Intrusive Thoughts: Not being able to stop thinking about the thing you are anxious about.
- Difficulty Sleeping: It is normal that people suffering from anxiety will have difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep.
PTSD Symptoms
Here are some of the more common symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder
- Inappropriate Responses: Heightened emotional reactions to triggers (eg. a sound that reminds you of the traumatic event)
- Hypervigilance: Being on alert all the time and doing constant worrying
- Intrusive Thoughts: Not being able to stop overthinking about a certain aspect of the problem.
- Change In Mood: Many PTSD sufferers also develop irritability or depression, difficulty concentrating, etc.
Self-Hypnosis Audio For Reducing Anxiety Symptoms
Self-hypnosis can be a great tool to reduce anxiety and feel calmer every day for the rest of your life.
Symptoms Demystified: Anxiety and PTSD Signs
Put simply, we should not be doing anxiety unless we are facing a genuinely life-threatening situation. Our “fight or flight” response involves pumping out large amounts of adrenaline and cortisol into our bloodstream. This gives us a very quick energy boost so that we can fight harder or run away faster. However, if the situation doesn’t warrant either fighting or running away, now we are left with all that adrenaline and cortisol in our system and, when we are not using it to fuel either fighting or running away, it feels horrible.
Causes and Triggers: What Sets Anxiety Apart from PTSD?
- Causes Of PTSD: Typically PTSD arises from two possible causes – a traumatic event or being subjected to a distressing situation for a prolonged period of time. Examples of traumatic events could be rape, sexual assault, a serious car accident, a natural disaster, military combat, serious health conditions (particularly ones that involved dramatic moments), etc.
- Causes Of Anxiety: While anxiety can start due to a trauma, it’s not normally associated with one. It can happen for a number of reasons including genetic factors, periods of high stress, etc.
The reason that it is important to distinguish between the two is because treatment options vary depending on whether it is anxiety or PTSD. There are also differences in how both are triggered and it is important to identify these because these can be helpful during whatever form of talk therapy you attend.
- Triggers Of PTSD: Triggers can be sights, sounds, smells, tastes, or feelings that were associated with the original traumatic event. These can trigger severe anxiety, flashbacks, and nightmares. Typically, an untreated trauma will cause the avoidance of triggers. For instance, if you know that a loud bang was associated with severe anxiety in past events, you may do your utmost to avoid situations where there could be loud bangs.
- Triggers Of Anxiety: It is less likely that someone suffering from anxiety will have strong triggers primarily because their anxiety probably did not arise from a traumatic situation.
Self-Hypnosis Audio For Reducing Anxiety Symptoms
Self-hypnosis can be a great tool to reduce anxiety and feel calmer every day for the rest of your life.
The Neurobiology: How Anxiety and PTSD Impact the Brain
Anxiety is a natural, and good thing! It is part of how we react to perceived threats. In our brain, there are circuits responsible for anxiety. These circuits process information from our senses and memories. Sometimes, these circuits can go haywire, causing excessive fear and tension. The problem happens when we do anxiety in response to events that aren’t very serious. This is typically linked to too much worrying and overthinking.
In our modern society, it is regarded as normal to worry about finances, job security, our children, etc. It’s even become part of everyday conversation. This is linked to why, as a species, we are experiencing more anxiety now than at any time during our evolution.
The same circuits involved in anxiety are also affected in PTSD but with some changes. Traumatic memories get stored in our brains, but, in the case of posttraumatic stress disorder, this can lead to symptoms like nightmares and flashbacks. These are symptoms that typically aren’t found in cases of anxiety.
Treatment Approaches: Navigating Anxiety and PTSD Solutions
As with any mental health condition, both anxiety and PTSD require the help of mental health professionals. Early intervention is always a good idea. Mental health disorders such as panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, acute stress disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder all require appropriate help from a healthcare professional experienced and qualified to get an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
As the saying goes, everyone is different. That means there is no standard way of treating everyone with anxiety or everyone with PTSD. Treatment is typically tailored to your unique needs. For instance, one person may need and benefit from anti-anxiety medications. Another person, with the same condition, may not need those. If your anxiety is of a low level, listening to a self-hypnosis recording may be all you need to feel calm and secure again.
The usual therapies used in a treatment plan for both anxiety and PTSD would be:
- Anti-Anxiety Medications: A very common anti-anxiety medication used in anxiety cases would be Xanax. Doctors can also prescribe SSRIs or anti-depressants in some cases.
- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy: This probably has the most research to back up its effectiveness.
- Hypnotherapy: This can help to find the underlying cause of your anxiety.
- EMDR: Otherwise known as Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing. This involves watching a moving object (normally the therapist’s fingers moving to and fro) while talking about the traumatic event.
- Self Hypnosis Audio: These are a great starting point if your anxiety is at a low level.
- Lifestyle Changes: This may involve changing your job, starting an exercise regime, or changing your diet.
Self-Hypnosis Audio For Reducing Anxiety Symptoms
Self-hypnosis can be a great tool to reduce anxiety and feel calmer every day for the rest of your life.
Self-Care Strategies: Coping with Anxiety and PTSD Using Self Hypnosis
Self-hypnosis is a technique where you guide your mind into a relaxed state, similar to meditation. By combining deep breathing, visualization, and positive affirmations, self-hypnosis helps reduce anxiety and promote calmness. You can download standardized recordings such as “Overcome Anxiety” or “Overcome Social Anxiety” and listen at home. Each recording is roughly 25 minutes in length. Before choosing to download a track to help you, you may want to read my article entitled “How Do I Listen To A Self-Hypnosis Audio?“
You should find that you are already calmer and more relaxed within a couple of days of listening. As the positive suggestions get to work, you’ll find yourself feeling more in control of your emotions. Within as little as 30 days, many people report their anxiety levels have reduced dramatically.
Professional Help: When to Seek Therapy or Counseling
There are some telltale signs that you shouldn’t ignore. These are signs from your body and your mind that you need professional help.
- Anxiety: If you find your heart rate is high constantly, it’s time to get checked out by a doctor. Other symptoms to seek medical advice about are chest pain, constant rapid breathing, or a complete inability to relax, and of course, if you have suicidal thoughts, seek immediate help.
- PTSD: If you experience any of the following regularly, you may need proper treatment, either from a doctor or from a mental health professional: constant nightmares, intrusive thoughts that just won’t stop, or intense flashbacks.
Self-Hypnosis Audio For Reducing Anxiety Symptoms
Self-hypnosis can be a great tool to reduce anxiety and feel calmer every day for the rest of your life.
Hope and Healing: Moving Forward Beyond Anxiety and PTSD
It can be frustrating and scary if you suffer from either of these two different conditions. You’ll get better faster if you keep in mind the following points:
- Be Kind To Yourself: Realize that it’s not your fault that you have this condition. It’s also not a flaw. Both anxiety and PTSD are normal human conditions. Many other people recover from them and so will you.
- Get Support: There are support groups out there for just about everything. Search on social media or online for support groups. Find some good sources on YouTube and watch videos by experts who give advice. (Be careful to make sure the person is qualified to give that advice).
- Healthy Resources: Take a walk in a forest or walk along a beach. Nature sounds are very calming. Learn breathing exercises that can be helpful.
Author: Paul Hunter
Although thousands of people read his blog every month, Paul's path to success was not an easy one. Click here to read his amazing story "From Unwanted Baby And Adopted To A Respected Self Help Blogger". If you want to send Paul a quick message, then visit his contact page here
