What does Anxiety feel like?
Here are some of the ways it might show up
Thoughts are on overdrive, relentless and harsh, refusing to give you a moment's peace. You’re stuck in that mental maze, while the outside world keeps moving forward, oblivious to the storm raging within you. Maybe you even prefer it for people to not know what a constant struggle it is battling perfectionism and the nagging "what-ifs.” Opportunities come and go before you can act due to hesitation and procrastination. The sensitivity to criticism and the persistent fear of judgment cast shadows of doubt and indecision, eroding self-worth along the way.
Reassurance only offers temporary relief, as worries and ruminations persist, gnawing away at your self-confidence. There is a familiar sensation of being trapped by the overwhelming stress settling on your shoulders, urging you to avoid the looming unease and dread. It's that pit in your stomach, tense muscles, and tightness in your chest that shorten your breath and remind you of the turmoil within. The pressure to reach goals and please others is ever-present, leaving little room to put your own needs first. Boundaries blur, and you find yourself resenting the imbalance it creates.
Sleep is fleeting, as restlessness courses through your body. You yearn for a sense of certainty, for everything to align just right, and yet the constant striving leaves you feeling perpetually unsatisfied. The need to control every aspect of life becomes a burden, robbing you and those around you of the joy of spontaneity and flexibility.
Some symptoms of anxiety
This is definitely not a comprehensive list, but you might notice…
Your mind is constantly turning over worries about certain situations and scenarios (people, places, & things, oh my!)
The fear leads you to avoid these situations or try hard to prevent the scenarios from happening
The restlessness and agitation make it hard to chill or be still
All of the constant activation tires you out easily
You carry a lot of tension in muscles and tightness in your body, or have headaches
Sleeping has been tough and it's hard to get rest
Your concentration has been stretched thin or your mind tends to blank out
Sometimes your heart rate feels like it’s ramping up or your breathing shortens or quickens
Your guts are upset or you feel nauseous and your appetite’s off
Things are going kinda fuzzy or you feel unsteady
You feel panicky or like things are out of control
Your body gets extra sweaty or hot with stress
Therapy can help you change the way you relate to your anxiety so that it does not have such a dominant presence. I know that it can be a love/hate thing with anxiety. We may feel reluctant to shift our relationship with anxiety because we think we need it to drive us and prevent something awful from happening. The anxiety may be serving a purpose and we may not know how to do things any differently, yet.
Meanwhile, we may have some level of awareness that the grueling pace our anxiety has us on is not sustainable and is grinding us down and blocking our access to the moments that make life worth living.
When anxiety has been such a big part of everyday life, it can be hard to imagine existing any other way, and yet it is possible to make adjustments that will give you more room to breathe and exist with ease…..
In therapy for anxiety, we’ll partner to discover a rhythm that works best for you and help you find your calm in even the stormiest waters.
