Stress is usually associated with a less than useful thought process that we have that provokes a specific emotional response such as anger or anxiousness. As everyone is different the thought process and emotional response is always going to be different from one person to the next.

When someone is experiencing anxiety there is a difference to feeling stressed. Feeling stressed is a much more general type of condition, where in the case of anxiety the condition and cause is more specific. Unfortunately the cause of anxiety is not always obvious which can in turn lead the anxiety sufferer to experience ever increasing levels of anxiety about their inability to identify the cause. A classic vicious cycle.

Excessive emotional disturbances such as grief generalized worry and fear as well as physical conditions such as hypoglycemia, hypoadrenia and an overactive thyroid are just some physical conditions that can lead to increased levels of stress.

Irrespective of what the specific causes are in effectively treating stress and anxiety the cause does need to be found. This is not always easy but a good place to start is mapping out your symptoms and making note of the situations and circumstances that are associated with high levels of stress and the occurrence of your anxiety attacks.

Once the cause of the stress and anxiety has been uncovered finding someone who you can talk to openly about your specific issue is often advised. Whether that person be a professional therapist, a support group or simply someone who you can talk things out with, finding someone to talk with and work out some solutions that are appropriate, and most importantly that you will follow through with, is often the best form of self help in these situations.

Whatever treatment you choose for your anxiety you must also make sure that how you live day to day supports that treatment. Proper sleep and rest, adequate nutrition and regular exercise will support whatever therapeutic approach you are taking.

Sometimes the levels of stress and anxiety bring the sufferer to breaking point in which case self help techniques are often not enough. If you or someone you know begins to experience severe physical symptoms or suicidal self destructive thoughts you must seek urgent medical attention. Self help techniques may still be able to help you but in a more supportive rather than a primary role.