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There are some symptoms of anxiety that are easier for people to point out, but I wanted to take some time to share a few that might not be on your radar:
1. You want people to be happy.
Scratch that… you NEED other people to be happy. It may not be at the front of your mind all the time, but there is a sense of wanting to make sure other people are okay. When you stop and think about it, you dedicate a lot of time towards taking care of other people. Ultimately, that means making sure they are “okay with YOU”. The additional piece to this is that you typically fail to ensure you are happy and okay.
2. You find it difficult to make decisions.
One decision can feel daunting, many decisions are just plain overwhelming. When you consistently have racing thoughts because of anxiety, it can feel impossible to focus in the midst of it all. PLUS each decision could have several factors involved, so what is the RIGHT choice?! Those racing thoughts trick you into thinking there will be only one answer, if you just think hard enough.
3. You think back on everything you did or said during the day.
It’s late, you’re physically exhausted and ready for bed, but your brain just won’t be quiet! One thought after another keeps popping up. These thoughts may be similar to:
“What if I lose my job?”
“What if I said something dumb today?”
“What if my friend is mad at me because I had to cancel lunch?”
You overanalyze the smallest pieces of your day that other people seem to easily forget or brush aside.
4. You have a voice in your mind judging you.
That voice is your critic. It sounds like your real voice, and it is always there in your head. The critic might act out in this way:
A friend tells you you’re hilarious. You shrug off the comment and the voice in your head quickly reminds you that
you are not funny and it’s ridiculous for anyone to think otherwise. Or maybe the voice forces you to wonder what your friend truly meant by their comment…and so the overanalyzing begins.
While this voice may be disguised as your own rational thought, it is instead your own worst enemy born from anxiety.
If any of the above statements made you think about yourself, then counseling can be beneficial for you.
