“Is It Just Stress… or Is Something More Going On?”
Estimated read time: 4–5 min
Lately, I’ve had a lot of patients coming into the clinic saying something like:
“I’m overwhelmed all the time.”
“I can’t focus — my brain is all over the place.”
“I’m constantly anxious, and I don’t know why.”
Sometimes it’s blamed on work. Or parenting. Or not sleeping well. But after a few sessions, it becomes clear: “This isn’t how I used to be.” And that’s worth paying attention to.
We’re not just “busy” anymore
We live in a world that constantly demands our attention — messages, deadlines, decisions, news, kids, partners. It’s no surprise that so many of us feel overstimulated and exhausted.
But there’s a tipping point where stress stops being “normal” and starts being something else entirely.
What might it be?
Let’s look at a few things that might be going on underneath the surface:
1. Anxiety
You might notice:
Feeling “on edge” all day
Racing thoughts at night
Trouble relaxing, even during downtime
Physical symptoms like tight chest, restlessness, or stomach issues
Anxiety isn’t just worry — it’s your nervous system being stuck in high gear.
2. ADHD (especially in adults)
Many adults with ADHD never knew they had it growing up. They may have been seen as “smart but scattered” or “lazy but capable.” As adults, they feel:
Disorganized and forgetful
Overwhelmed by small tasks
Frequently distracted
Like they’re always falling behind, no matter how hard they try
ADHD doesn’t always look like hyperactivity — especially in women or people who’ve learned to mask it.
3. Burnout
When your body and mind just… shut down. You feel flat, irritable, unmotivated. You might still “get things done,” but inside you’re exhausted, unfulfilled, or emotionally numb.
Burnout often hits caregivers, parents, teachers, health workers — anyone who gives a lot and doesn’t get much space to breathe.
So… is it stress? Or something more?
It’s not always easy to tell.
Stress is a normal part of life — deadlines, parenting, finances, relationships. But when those feelings stick around for weeks or months, or start affecting how you sleep, eat, focus, or feel about yourself… it could be more than just stress.
Anxiety, ADHD, or burnout can show up looking a lot like stress — and often, they overlap. The key difference is how much it’s impacting your day-to-day functioning.
Here are a few questions to consider:
Are you constantly on edge or unable to relax, even when nothing is urgent?
Do your thoughts feel scattered or hard to organize?
Are you struggling to complete tasks you used to handle with ease?
Do small things feel overwhelming, often?
If any of this sounds familiar, it’s worth taking a closer look.
Here’s what you can do next:
Book a mental health check-in
Sometimes a one-on-one conversation is all it takes to get clarity and feel more grounded.
Talk to a clinical counsellor
Therapy can help you figure out what’s behind your symptoms — and how to start feeling like yourself again.
Keep an eye out for what’s coming
This summer, we’re welcoming a clinical counsellor to our team. They’ll be working with patients on anxiety, ADHD, emotional regulation, and much more.
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The Therapy Now Team
Professional. Friendly. Here for you.
