There are two main types of stress: acute and chronic.
Acute stress is short-term stress that goes away quickly. You may experience this type of stress when you manage a dangerous situation, such as slamming on the brakes to avoid an accident or something exciting, such as skiing down a challenging slope.
Chronic stress lasts for a longer period of time — weeks or even months. Financial problems, troubled relationships or issues at work may lead to this type of stress.
Some people may cope with stress more effectively by not sweating the small stuff or recovering from stressful events quicker than others. However, if you don't find ways to manage stress, it may lead to serious health problems, including anxiety and panic attacks.
Anxiety... When It's More Than Nerves
It's normal to experience anxiety. However, when it causes such distress that it interferes with a person's ability to lead a normal life it may be an anxiety disorder, a serious behavioral health illness.
Anxiety disorders affect about 40 million American adults age 18 years and older annually. These disorders are characterized by obsessively over thinking negative aspects of life that an individual has no control over and overwhelming fear for no reason. Individuals with anxiety disorders often worry excessively about health, money, family or work and continually anticipate disaster.
Panic Attacks
Panic attacks can happen without warning or reason, causing sudden fear and nervousness for 10 minutes or more. Symptoms include: sweating, pounding heart, shortness of breath, sensation of choking, and dizziness or lightheadedness. Since panic attack symptoms may resemble other psychiatric conditions, always see a health care provider for a diagnosis.
If you're struggling with stress, anxiety or panic attacks, contact your campus counselor.
adapted from: Barnabashealth