What Does Anxiety Feel Like?

Anxiety is the most common mental health condition in the world. Most people have a basic idea of what it is, some of the common symptoms, and even what it looks like. However, it can sometimes be a difficult thing to describe. You might have read some common anxiety symptoms, but maybe you’re not connecting. Or, maybe you know someone with anxiety, but you’re struggling to empathize because you can’t put yourself in their shoes. It’s important to know what anxiety feels like, whether you’re going through it and looking for an official diagnosis or trying to feel closer to a loved one.

So, what does anxiety feel like, and how can you tell if you’re experiencing it?

The Common Symptoms

Whether you’ve heard of some of the common symptoms of anxiety or not, it’s essential to recognize what they are. Why? Chances are, even if you don’t have anxiety, you’ve experienced at least one of these symptoms before. If nothing else, recognizing something you’ve experienced can help you step into someone else’s shoes who might be struggling with anxiety on a regular basis. 

With that in mind, some of the most common symptoms of anxiety include: 

• Restlessness

• Having difficulty concentrating

• Changes in sleep habits

• Changes in eating habits

• Irritability

Anxiety can also cause physical symptoms like muscle aches, digestive issues, and headaches. Almost everyone has experienced at least one of those, so think about having to deal with them on a regular basis. 

Feeling Detached From Yourself

For some people struggling with severe anxiety, it’s easy to feel a sense of detachment. That’s why suggesting they “stop worrying” or “get over it” doesn’t work. When someone feels detached from their own reality, it’s nearly impossible to just hit the brakes and stop fearing whatever is causing their anxious thoughts. It’s less easy to step into that aspect of anxiety if you’re not dealing with it yourself.

However, almost everyone can recognize that feeling detached from yourself would be a frightening, uncertain, and lonely experience. If nothing else, you can empathize with someone dealing with those issues, recognizing that they have every right to feel nervous or scared. 

A Sense of Losing Control

Everyone knows what stress feels like. We’ve all experienced it. You’ll probably experience it every day. Some stress can even be a good thing. However, too much of it can lead to anxiety, especially when it seems like the stress you face each day has caused your life to spin out of control. 

If you’ve ever felt so overwhelmed by stress that you thought you would “lose it,” you have a small idea of what it’s like to live with extreme anxiety. Someone dealing with anxiety might feel that way all the time. Their anxious thoughts and negative self-talk can completely overtake their thought process. Irrational fears become very real to them, and they can’t control what they’re thinking or how it affects them.

What Can You Do?

If any of these signs and symptoms sound familiar, it’s important to receive an official anxiety diagnosis from a medical professional. Anxiety is common but manageable. With the right treatment, you can learn to cope with your anxious thoughts and retake control of your life.

If you’re concerned that someone you know might have anxiety, use these ideas to better understand what they’re going through. You can be a strong support system for them when you recognize how they’re feeling.

In either case, professional support and help can make a big difference. Anxiety rarely goes away on its own. If you or someone you know is struggling with it, don’t hesitate to contact us to set up an appointment.