Everybody’s Best Worst Friend: Anxiety

Is it possible that everyone has a level of anxiety? Why, yes. I believe this is the case.

“But Sara….HOW?”

Let’s think about this.

Anxiety: when we experience symptoms (physically, emotionally, or mentally) triggered by something happening outside of our control (hello, new days of Covid-19).

I find anxiety both is overused and underused:

Hearing someone say “I have anxiety” in every single situation

| OR |

People suffering in complete silence.

This occurs for a variety of reasons:

-Those expressing anxiety consistently could potentially be facing the challenge of minimal support and limited validation (I could, and will, write a whole blog post related to validation). Also, folks expressing anxiety consistently could be reaching out for help, or better yet…shouting for help.

-Those suffering in complete silence? Maybe expressing emotional challenges is abnormal in their first family, it may be tough to verbalize struggle, or they complete minimize it and hope it goes away.

How to spot anxiety: (another topic that I could, and will, write a whole blog post)

On the outside :

*Need for control
*Quick reaction of anger
*Doing everything yourself/overly involved in too many things OR doing absolutely nothing at all
*Overly talkative OR completely silent (yes, it can go both ways)
*Fainting or feeling faint

Just a few to name.

On the inside :

*Extreme focus OR a level of dissociation

*Racing thoughts
*Physical aches or pains, stomach aches, nausea or vomiting
*Need for constant sleep OR insomnia
*Breathing irregularity

Just a few to name.

What is the condition of your space (bedroom, office, overall home condition) around you? That is likely how you feel on the inside.

How do YOU express your anxiety? Is it protected by anger? Is it showing itself through physical symptoms? Is it causing you to complete shut yourself inward? Are you pushing others away?

Reach out, we can find the healthy way.