Understanding Anxiety: What It Feels Like and Why It Happens
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health issues, but many people don’t fully understand their own symptoms or even recognize that they’re experiencing anxiety. Whether you have a racing heart before a big presentation, restless nights filled with “what ifs,” or a persistent sense of dread without an obvious cause, anxiety can leave you feeling overwhelmed and unsure of what’s happening inside your own body and mind. Let’s explore what anxiety really is and where it comes from.
What Is Anxiety?
Many people confuse anxiety with everyday stress, but they’re not the same thing. While stress can actually have short-term benefits, like helping you meet deadlines or stay alert in challenging situations, anxiety is different.
Anxiety happens when worries and stress persist over a long period of time, well beyond any immediate threats or challenges. Unlike helpful stress responses, anxiety doesn’t serve a beneficial purpose. Instead, it interferes with your daily life, making everyday tasks feel overwhelming and difficult.
The Physical Experience of Anxiety
Anxiety isn’t just “all in your head.” It creates very real physical symptoms that can significantly impact your ability to function.
Physical symptoms include:
Nervousness
Dizziness
Upset stomach
Frequent headaches
Faster, shallow breathing
Irregular or rapid heartbeat
Excessive sweating
Sleep problems (like insomnia)
Teeth grinding, especially at night
Digestive issues
Emotional and mental symptoms include:
Difficulty concentrating on tasks
Trouble connecting with other people
Increased irritability
Persistent worries about everyday situations
Feeling overwhelmed by routine activities
These symptoms can make it hard to complete daily tasks, perform effectively at work, or keep up healthy relationships. When anxiety becomes focused on specific situations, like social interactions or particular phobias, many people develop avoidance behaviors. This means actively staying away from situations that trigger anxiety, which can further make it more difficult to live a normal life.
Understanding the Roots of Anxiety
There’s no single cause of anxiety. Everyone’s experience, brain chemistry, and social expectations are different, and anxiety typically develops from a combination of factors working together over time.
Biological and Genetic Factors
Your biology plays a significant role in anxiety development. Some people have chemical imbalances in neurotransmitters or hormones that make them more susceptible to anxiety disorders. Some people also have an overactive amygdala, also known as the brain’s “alarm system,” which can trigger anxiety responses more easily.
Genetics matter too. Anxiety disorders tend to run in families, which means if your parents or siblings struggle with anxiety, you may have a higher likelihood of developing it yourself.
Environmental and Social Influences
The way you grew up and your life experiences can significantly impact whether you’ll develop anxiety later in life. Family upbringing, traumatic experiences, and social isolation can all contribute to anxiety disorders.
Long-term exposure to stressful situations is particularly problematic. Whether you were in an abusive relationship, an extremely demanding job, or had ongoing financial pressures, chronic stress can eventually develop into an anxiety disorder.
Other Contributing Factors
Several other factors can influence anxiety development:
Gender: Women are statistically more likely to experience anxiety disorders than men
Other mental health conditions: Depression and anxiety often occur together
Major life changes: Even positive changes like moving or starting a new job can trigger anxiety
Substance use: Caffeine, alcohol, and other substances can worsen anxiety symptoms
Getting Help
Understanding anxiety is the first step towards managing it. If you recognize these symptoms in yourself, remember that anxiety is treatable and you don’t have to navigate this alone. Contact us today about our approaches to anxiety therapy, which can include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), or internal family systems (IFS). We’ll help you develop coping strategies, address the underlying causes of your symptoms, and reclaim control over your daily life.
