Feeling anxious – about people, situations or just a general background soundtrack of worry – can have a profound impact on how you react to your everyday life. While there is more than one type of anxiety, here are some of the feelings that people experience when they have an anxiety problem.
Lack of control
The feeling that what’s happening to you is bigger than you can control. There are too many variables for you to take the reins.
Restless
Feeling tense, nervous, keyed-up or on edge are signs of hyperarousal, which can happen when you’re experiencing anxiety.
Hypervigilance
That feeling of always being ready to react, on the verge of fight or flight.
Muscle pain
Anxiety is not only experienced “in your head.” Muscle pain and tension can result from persistent anxious feelings.
Pervasive worrying
Your worrying feels out of control, and even though you’re aware it’s out of proportion, you can’t stop it.
Difficulty sleeping
Being on edge and excessive worrying can lead to sleep loss, and start a cycle where fatigue bolsters anxiety, leading to more trouble sleeping.
Trouble focusing
Difficulty concentrating on regular activities, mind wandering, not being “there.”
Irritability
Losing your temper and feeling like your patience is in short supply.
A sense of doom
A sense of doom or dread that hangs over your day like an oppressive cloud.
While some sense of anxiety and worry can be helpful in normal everyday life, if you’re feeling several of these signs for an extended period of time, you may have an anxiety problem, and should speak with a psychologist or other mental health professional.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is one way you can begin to understand how your thoughts, feelings, and behaviour are related, and can help you gain the perspective you need to be able to untangle your anxious thoughts and feelings, and move forward. But there are many effective ways to treat your anxiety. So, please don’t suffer. Reach out for support if you think your anxiety has begun to negatively impact your life.
