It’s a simple fact that life is tough sometimes. We all feel stress, fear and worry. These are natural feelings that help keep us safe, like a built-in alarm system. They push us to prepare for a job interview or stop us from walking into traffic.

What happens when that alarm system gets stuck in the On position? What if the intense fear and worry never seem to go away?

When these feelings take over your life, it may signal a mental health challenge. Two conditions that cause similar feelings of intense fear and distress are anxiety disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

It can be easy to get these two confused. Their symptoms often look the same, making it hard to figure out what’s going on. Even doctors once thought PTSD was just a type of anxiety. 

Today, we know they’re different. Understanding how they’re alike and, more importantly, how they’re different is the first big step toward healing and getting back control of your life. 

A look at the numbers: How many people struggle?

If you’re dealing with intense fear or worry, you’re far from alone. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health challenge in the U.S. Many types of anxiety affect people:

• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)

GAD affects about 6.8 million adults in the U.S. in any given year. It’s characterized by ongoing worry about many different things, even when there’s little reason to worry. 

• Social anxiety disorder

Social anxiety disorder affects about 15 million American adults. It’s characterized by an intense fear of being judged or embarrassed in social situations. 

• Specific phobias

Around 19 million American adults are affected by specific phobias. These are extreme fears of one specific thing, like spiders or flying. 

The core of anxiety lies in excessive fear and anticipation of future threats. The body’s “fight-or-flight” system becomes overly sensitive, making even everyday situations feel dangerous or unpredictable. 

About 6% of the U.S. population will have PTSD at some point in their lives. In any given year, an estimated 4% of American adults have PTSD. Women are also more likely to develop PTSD than men. 

PTSD is a disorder rooted in the body’s prolonged response to trauma. The brain’s stress response system becomes “stuck,” continuing to react as if danger is always present. 

The overlap: Where symptoms feel the same

It’s very common for these issues to overlap. Here are some of the biggest symptoms they share:

• Overactive stress response

Both conditions involve a heightened fight-or-flight reaction. When someone with anxiety or PTSD faces stress, their brain sends danger signals even when the threat isn’t real. This leads to symptoms like rapid heartbeat, sweating, trembling and restlessness. 

• Physical and emotional overlap

Symptoms like insomnia, difficulty concentrating, irritability and fatigue appear in both PTSD and anxiety disorders. The body remains in a state of high alert, which takes a toll over time. 

• Avoidance behaviors

People with anxiety often avoid situations that make them nervous, such as public speaking or flying. Those with PTSD may avoid anything that reminds them of their trauma. In both cases, avoidance provides short-term relief but can reinforce the fear in the long run. 

• Daily life impact

Both PTSD and anxiety can disrupt work, relationships and overall well-being. Many people withdraw from loved ones, struggle to focus or lose interest in things they once enjoyed. 

• Co-occurrence

PTSD and anxiety often occur together. Roughly half of people with PTSD also meet the criteria for at least one anxiety disorder. This overlap can make diagnosis and treatment more complex, but also highlights the importance of individualized care. 

The key difference: The root cause

While the feelings of anxiety and PTSD are similar, the main difference is their cause and the source of the fear. 

• Anxiety

Anxiety is usually about threats in the future. With general anxiety, the worries are often excessive and persistent about many everyday things. It’s not tied to one event. The fear is focused on an uncertain, upcoming possibility of a problem. 

• PTSD

PTSD can develop after a real or perceived life-threatening event that happened in the past. PTSD is a condition that starts after a person has gone through a traumatic event that involved actual or threatened death, serious injury or sexual violence. This could be something that happened directly to you, something you saw or learning about a trauma that happened to a loved one. 

Traumatic events that can lead to PTSD include: military combat, sexual violence, serious accidents, natural disasters or long-term abuse. 

Experts now put PTSD in its own group called trauma- and stressor-related disorders. This shows that the main problem isn’t general worry, but the lasting impact of the trauma that makes the person feel like the danger is still present. 

Unique symptoms of PTSD: The echo of trauma

Because PTSD comes from trauma, it has special symptoms that separate it from general anxiety. These symptoms show that the person is reliving the event, not just worrying about the future. 

PTSD symptoms fall into four main groups:

• Intrusion or reexperiencing symptoms

It doesn’t just feel like remembering the event; it feels like it’s happening again, right now:

• Flashbacks — Feeling or acting as if the trauma is actually happening again 

• Distressing dreams or nightmares — The trauma playing out over and over again in your sleep 

• Intense distress to triggers — Extreme emotional or physical reactions to reminders of the event 

• Avoidance symptoms

You actively try to avoid anything that reminds you of the trauma. You may stay away from people, places or situations tied to the event. You also try to avoid thoughts or feelings that are related to the event, which can cause emotional numbness. 

• Negative changes in thinking and mood

The trauma changes how you think about yourself and the world:

• Negative beliefs — Strong negative thoughts about yourself or the world, such as “The world is dangerous”

• Emotional numbness or detachment — Feeling disconnected from others or unable to feel happy 

• Blame and guilt — Feeling responsible or guilty for what happened

• Arousal and reactivity symptoms

The fight-or-flight response stays on high alert:

• Angry outbursts and irritability — Getting angry easily

• Reckless or self-destructive behavior — Doing risky things without thinking

• Exaggerated startle response — Jumping or reacting strongly to sudden noises

• Concentration and sleep difficulties — Trouble sleeping or focusing due to the constant alert state 

Shared challenges: Stigma and misunderstanding

Unfortunately, both PTSD and anxiety are often misunderstood. People may hear “anxiety” and think, “Just relax.” Or they may assume PTSD only affects combat veterans, when in fact it can impact anyone who has experienced trauma. 

Stigma can make it harder to seek help. Around 40% of people with anxiety disorders receive treatment, even though effective therapies are available. The same is true for PTSD: Many delay care due to fear of judgment or not recognizing their symptoms. 

That’s why open conversations and compassionate care matter so much. Healing starts when people feel safe enough to talk about what they’re going through without fear of being dismissed or labeled. 

The importance of the right treatment

An accurate diagnosis is essential because treatments for anxiety and PTSD are different. The good news is that both conditions are treatable. With the right combination of therapy, medication and support, recovery is possible. 

• Therapy

Evidence-based therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy can help people recognize and challenge unhelpful thought patterns. For PTSD, trauma-focused CBT or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) are often recommended. 

• Medication management

Antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can help regulate mood and anxiety levels. Some people may benefit from short-term use of antianxiety medication, under careful medical supervision. 

• Lifestyle and self-care

Physical activity, mindfulness and adequate sleep can all play a major role in managing symptoms. Building a consistent routine and leaning on a strong support network can also make day-to-day life feel more manageable. 

Take the next step toward healing with ReKlame Health

At ReKlame, we’re modern care providers who offer kind, welcoming and supportive mental wellness care. We are a young and diverse team of clinicians who help people take back control of their lives. 

We understand how difficult it can be to find balance, especially when dealing with trauma or heavy anxiety. We provide culturally competent and compassionate care tailored to your needs. 

We use evidence-based approaches, including medication management and integrated care coordination with your other healthcare providers. You can schedule an initial consultation within 48 hours of referral or initial contact, as quick access to care is important for your well-being. 

Give our care team a call today for more information, check your eligibility for free online or book an initial appointment online.