The Difference Between Stress and Anxiety

You’re feeling on edge, your sleep is off, and your thoughts are racing. Is it just a stressful week, or something deeper?

Stress and anxiety share many symptoms, but they’re not the same thing—and coping with anxiety requires a slightly different approach than dealing with stress. Here’s what to know. 

The differences

“Many people use the words ‘stress’ and ‘anxiety’ interchangeably,” says Judith S. Beck, president of Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavior Therapy.