Stress and Anxiety | Counseling Center | BYU-Idaho

# Stress and Anxiety

Learn how prolonged stress and anxiety can affect a person's daily functioning and overall well-being, and what resources are available to treat anxiety disorders.

If you are at imminent risk for self-harm please go to the Madison Memorial Emergency Room. For individuals who are at risk for harming themselves or are having a similar significant crisis, please text or call 988 to access the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

## Overview

Everyone feels stressed and anxious at times though anxiety can linger on and not have an identifiable trigger. Conversely, stress is typically short term and in response to a recognized threat. All the same, stress and anxiety are both a part of the body's natural fight, flight, and freeze response, and how we respond to these physical and emotional states will greatly determine their frequency and intensity.

Social pressure, relationship issues, novel and group situations, or taking an exam can greatly contribute to such feelings of stress. And while these situations are indeed uncomfortable, they may be more severe for those who suffer from an anxiety disorder. People who suffer from anxiety disorders have persistent feelings of fear or distress out of proportion to real events. Their brains interpret real or imagined events to be much more risky or dangerous than they really are. Consequently, the quality of their lives can become severely limited leading to significant impairments in a person's daily functioning and overall well-being. If left unchecked, these stress-induced impairments can have a negative impact on health, performance, and confidence in a variety of settings such as academics, relationships, work, and even spirituality.

What is more, people can sometimes mistake feelings of stress for mental weakness or instability and the social stigma that can be attached to mental illness further prevents those who struggle from asking for help. The good news is that stress and anxiety disorders CAN be successfully treated and constructively managed once they are recognized. You are not alone, and help is available to you. Below you will find some supportive websites and free applications to peruse to help get you started when dealing with stress and anxiety.

## Additional Resources

The following resources are not created, maintained, or controlled by BYU-Idaho and are intended to serve as an educational resource. BYU-Idaho does not endorse any content that is not in keeping with university policy or doctrines and teaching of the Church.

Dealing with Anxiety

- Anxietycoach.com
- Anxiety after my mission

Mindshift CBT

Is anxiety getting in the way of your life? When you need anxiety help fast, use these quick and easy tools to help you take a breath, ground yourself, shift your thinking, and take steps to cope. 
 
Learn Steps to Cope

Antistress

When you need relaxation, diversion, or just a moment of 
distraction enjoy this collection of toys. 
 
Start Destressing Now

Moodpath

Are you looking for ways to improve your emotional well-being? 
Moodpath is your personalized mental health companion to help you assess your mental health, track and reflect your feelings, and explore ways to improve. 
 
Improve Your Mood

TAO (Therapy Assistance Online)

-Calming you worry/anxiety 
-Let go and be well 
-Stress and anxiety workshop on Zoom - Wednesdays from 3:10 to 4:00pm 
 
Visit TAO