How to Know When Anxiety Is More Than Normal Stress
- Heather Steele
- Feb 16
- 4 min read
By Heather Steele, MS, CPC, LCAS, LCMHC-QS
Owner & Lead Therapist at Morrisville Counseling & Consulting, PLLC
Stress is part of being human. We all feel pressure at work, worry about finances, or get overwhelmed during busy seasons of life. In small doses, stress can even be motivating.
But anxiety is different.
As a therapist here in Morrisville, working with clients across Raleigh, Durham, Cary, and Apex, one of the most common questions I hear is:
“Is this just normal stress… or is something else going on?”
If you’ve been asking yourself that question, you’re not alone. And the answer isn’t always obvious.
In this article, I want to help you understand when anxiety crosses the line from everyday stress into something that deserves support — and what to do next if that’s where you find yourself.
Stress vs. Anxiety: What’s the Difference?
Stress is usually situational and temporary. It has a clear cause and tends to ease once the situation resolves.
For example:
A deadline at work
A difficult conversation
A packed schedule
Anxiety, on the other hand, often lingers, even when there’s no immediate threat. It’s less about what’s happening right now and more about what might happen — or what your body feels like it’s preparing for.
The American Psychological Association explains that anxiety involves persistent worry, fear, or nervous system activation that doesn’t shut off easily, even when you’re safe.
Signs Anxiety May Be More Than Normal Stress
1. Your Body Feels Constantly “On Edge”
One of the biggest differences between stress and anxiety shows up in the body.
With anxiety, you may notice:
Tightness in your chest or throat
A racing heart without physical exertion
Shallow breathing
Frequent headaches or stomach issues
Trouble relaxing, even during downtime
This happens because anxiety keeps the nervous system stuck in fight-or-flight mode, even when there’s no real danger present. Learn more about the physical symptoms of anxiety.
2. The Worry Doesn’t Turn Off
Stress tends to quiet down once the task is done. Anxiety doesn’t follow that rule.
You might notice:
Your mind constantly scanning for problems
“What if” thoughts that spiral quickly
Difficulty concentrating because worry keeps intruding
Replaying conversations or anticipating worst-case scenarios
Clients often tell me, “Even when things are okay, my brain won’t let me rest.”
That’s a key sign anxiety may be taking the lead.
3. You’re Avoiding Things You Used to Handle
Anxiety often shrinks life slowly and quietly.
You may start:
Avoiding social situations
Putting off tasks because they feel overwhelming
Saying no to opportunities you actually want
Staying busy to avoid being alone with your thoughts
Avoidance can bring short-term relief, but over time it reinforces anxiety, making it feel bigger and more powerful.
4. Sleep Isn’t Restorative Anymore
Anxiety frequently disrupts sleep — not just falling asleep, but staying asleep or feeling rested.
You might:
Lie awake with racing thoughts
Wake up feeling tense or anxious
Feel exhausted even after a full night’s sleep
The National Institute of Mental Health notes that anxiety disorders are strongly linked with sleep disturbances, creating a cycle where poor sleep worsens anxiety — and anxiety worsens sleep.
5. Your World Feels Smaller or Harder to Navigate
When anxiety is more than stress, it starts affecting how you live, not just how you feel.
You may notice:
Increased irritability or emotional overwhelm
Difficulty enjoying things you used to like
Strain in relationships
Feeling “not yourself” more often than not
This is often the moment when people realize something deeper is happening.
A Fictionalized Client Example of Anxiety
“Emily,” a 34-year-old professional living in Cary, came to therapy saying she felt “burned out.”
On the surface, her life looked manageable. But underneath, she was constantly anxious — waking up with dread, avoiding social plans, and feeling like she was failing
no matter how hard she tried.
Through therapy, Emily realized she wasn’t dealing with temporary stress — her nervous system had been stuck in survival mode for years. With support, she learned how to regulate anxiety, challenge fear-based thinking, and reconnect with her sense of safety.
Her stressors didn’t disappear — but her relationship with anxiety changed completely.
Why Anxiety Is So Common in the Triangle
Here in the Triangle, I see anxiety show up frequently in high-achieving, capable people.
Contributing factors often include:
Fast-paced work environments
High expectations and performance pressure
Remote work and isolation
Constant digital stimulation
Difficulty slowing down without guilt
Anxiety doesn’t mean something is wrong with you — it often means your system has been under pressure for too long.
When It’s Time to Seek Support For Anxiety
You don’t need to be in crisis to benefit from therapy.
It may be time to talk with a professional if:
Anxiety feels constant or intrusive
You’re managing symptoms instead of feeling better
Coping strategies aren’t working anymore
You feel stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected
Therapy can help you:
Understand how your anxiety developed
Learn tools to calm your nervous system
Break cycles of worry and avoidance
Address underlying trauma or patterns
Feel more grounded and present again
At Morrisville Counseling & Consulting, we work with anxiety using evidence-based approaches like CBT, EMDR, grounding techniques, and somatic techniques, tailored to your specific needs.
You Don’t Have to Guess Alone
If you’ve been wondering whether what you’re experiencing is “normal stress” or something more — that question alone is worth paying attention to.
Anxiety is treatable. Relief is possible. And you don’t have to navigate it on your own.
If you’re in Morrisville, Raleigh, Durham, Cary, or Apex, I invite you to schedule a free 15-minute consultation to talk through what’s been going on and explore your options for support.
Research Citations
American Psychological Association – Anxiety vs. Stress
National Institute of Mental Health – Anxiety Disorders
Cleveland Clinic – Anxiety vs. Stress
