Anxiety vs. Anxiety Disorder: What’s the Difference?
Dr. Sumit Grover
Psychologist, Motivational speaker and life coach
Anxiety is typical and generally emotional reaction to stress, danger, or ambiguity. Anxiety is feelings of fear, tension, or apprehension about something in the future, like a vital test or interview for work. This happens because the brain remains in constant fight-or-flight mode, as if it is preparing for danger even when no real threat exists. The anxiety will often subside when the threatening experience has ended. It’s a healthy aspect of life that everybody goes through at one time or another, and it serves to keep people alert. But when worry is recurrent, overwhelming, and disproportionate to the circumstance, often fueled by fear of the worst happening, dysfunctional assumptions or negative thinking – it can turn into an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders are mental illness characterized by recurrent and inescapable worry or fear that can linger for months and years. Unlike everyday worry, which is commonly confined to specific circumstances, anxiety disorders can strike without warning and drastically impact normal functioning. The most prevalent anxiety disorders are generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and specific phobias. One of the most telling distinctions between the two lies in how long they last and how intense they are. While anxiety is typically fleeting and related to some particular situation, an anxiety disorder is marked by persistent symptoms that disrupt mental health, work, relationships, and everyday functioning. Individuals with anxiety disorders also have physical complaints like racing heart, nausea, dizziness, or shortness of breath. Anxiety disorders treatment is normally in the form of medication, therapy, or a combination of the two. Cognitive Behavioral therapy (CBT), for instance, helps people identify and challenge negative thought patterns replacing them with healthier ways of thinking. Daily anxiety, however, typically is addressed through the process of lifestyle modification, coping strategies, and relaxation.
The Thin Line Between Narcissism and Confidence
Dr. Sumit Grover
Psychologist, Motivational Speaker & Life Coach.
Self-confidence and narcissism might well be two sides of the same coin in a first
impression—both are brimming with self-confidence and confidence regarding oneself. Though
being in an extreme form in some sense and having to be tolerated, particularly where human
beings and business are concerned, confidence is a great virtue that entails growth and building
up, whereas narcissism might breed skeptical questions and shattered relationships.
Confidence: The Pillar of Self-Trust
Confidence stems from self-awareness and authentic self-value. Confidence is a realistic self-
belief. Confident people remain grounded and value excellence without belittling failure. The
confident person embraces criticisms, maintains minds open to learning from mistakes, and is
able to bask in other people’s success. Confidence can motivate one to lead, make choices, and
confront challenges with a positive attitude. Confidence is best at energizing others and
resulting in excellent leadership, collaboration, and trust.
Narcissism: A Grandiose Sense of Self
Narcissism being a personality style has a grandiose sense of self, needs constant admiration,
and has no empathy. Narcissists belittle, blame, and take control of the conversation &
situation. They find self-worth outside themselves, and they’ll take advantage of and harm
others to impress greater-than-average. That’s trouble, particularly if they’re threatened by ego
or expectation. Grandiose narcissism involves an inflated belief in oneself, which often leads to
overconfidence.
Key Differences at a Glance
Self-Perception: Healthy people have a realistic self-concept; narcissists have a grandiose
inflated self-concept.
Reaction to Criticism: Healthy people can accept criticism; narcissists react in rejection or
ghosting the criticizer.
Empathy: Responsiveness and openness are healthy; narcissists are closed to care for others’
feelings.
Why the Difference Matters
Recognition of narcissism and confidence are the foundation for healthy friendships and self-
growth. Identification of confidence as arrogance—or ignorance of narcissism that is masked as
charm—may create confusion and cancerous friendships. Being a healthy confidence friend
involves standing upon humility, empathy, and being open to learning, and being an antidote to
narcissism involves standing upon accountability, emotional intelligence and maturity.
Conclusion
Whereas self-confidence is healthy and empowering, indicating narcissism is unhealthy. Having
knowledge of the thin, destructive line between the two assists one in maintaining self-
confidence in the absence of self-admiration, leading to better relationships and a balanced
ego.