Anxiety, Stress, Depression and PTSD

Stress and anxiety are both natural responses within the body's fight-or-flight system. When faced with a perceived threat, the body releases stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, triggering a rapid chain reaction—the heart beats faster, breathing becomes quicker, and blood pressure rises—all to prepare the body to either fight the threat or flee from it. At the same time, senses become sharper, and energy stores are released into the bloodstream, ensuring the body is primed for action. This automatic process, known as stress, happens almost instantly. Anxiety is the body’s emotional and physical response to that stress.

Many people recognise anxiety as a feeling of distress, unease, or dread before an important event. Its purpose is to keep us alert and aware. The fight-or-flight response can activate when facing both real and perceived threats, whether physical or emotional. While this mechanism can be useful in short bursts, for some people, it can become overwhelming and start interfering with everyday life.

Because stress and anxiety share many symptoms, they can be difficult to distinguish.

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Stress vs Anxiety

•    Stress is typically a short-term response to a specific challenge or pressure. Once the situation is resolved, stress levels usually decrease.

•    Anxiety, however, can linger even after the stressor is gone. Sometimes, there is no clear trigger at all. When anxiety persists and starts to interfere with daily life, it can develop into an anxiety disorder, which can be debilitating. 

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Depression

While stress and anxiety are often linked to external pressures, depression is a more persistent state of low mood and energy. It can sap motivation, reduce concentration, and lead to feelings of hopelessness, exhaustion, and disconnection. 

Depression can affect anyone and is not simply about "feeling sad"—it can have a profound impact on relationships, work, and overall quality of life.

Some symptoms of depression may overlap with PTSD, including sleep disturbances and emotional numbness, but depression is more than just a response to trauma—it can also develop due to ongoing stress, chemical imbalances, or personal circumstances.

 

PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
PTSD is a serious anxiety disorder that develops after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. This could be anything from a serious accident, abuse, assault, military combat, a natural disaster, or a sudden loss. While the body’s fight-or-flight response is designed to protect us, in PTSD, this response becomes overactive, making the brain and body feel as though they are constantly under threat—even when the danger has passed.

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Left untreated, PTSD can significantly impact daily life, affecting work, relationships, and emotional well-being. However, with the right support, healing is possible.

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​How Asense Therapy Can Help

At Asense Therapy, I take a personalised and compassionate approach to helping clients manage and overcome stress, anxiety, PTSD, and depression, according to individual needs and preferences. Using Counselling, Hypnotherapy, EMDR, and other tailored techniques, I provide a safe, warm, and confidential space where you can build resilience and move forward in a way that feels right for you. 

 

If you’d like to explore how I can support you, please get in touch for a friendly, no-obligation chat.