Articles

Quite often the terms "anxiety" and "stress" are used interchangeably. Although there are commonalities between them, there are also important points in which they differ.

Stress is a normal reaction of the body to any change that requires adjustment by eliciting a physical, mental or emotional response. Such changes can be the result of environmental, physical and mental stimuli. Even positive life changes (such as a promotion or marriage) can produce stress. 

Stress becomes problematic when a person is continuously preoccupied with stressors and the body’s autonomic nervous system is overdriven by perceiving situations and events as threatening, even when they aren't. Chronic, excessive anxiety that is difficult to manage and interferes with your day-to-day life can lead to disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder.

 In fact, our thoughts can cause anxiety, but they can also dramatically reduce it if we handle our though process properly. This is why it's important to recognize the sequence of EVENT - THOUGHTS - FEELINGS – BEHAVIORS. The Cognitive Triangle emphasizes on how our thoughts alters the way that we feel, which subsequently alters the way that we act, which then influences our thoughts. Without intervention, this process continues to repeat itself.