Anxiety isn’t one-size-fits-all. It doesn’t always look like panic attacks or worst-case-scenario spirals. Sometimes it hides in overthinking, perfectionism, irritability—or that constant hum of unease in the background of your day.
This Mental Health Awareness Month, let’s explore what anxiety really looks like.
Anxiety exists on a spectrum—from everyday worries to more intense, persistent conditions that can impact daily life. Some common types include:
🔹 Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Ongoing worry about various aspects of life—often without a clear reason. It’s like your brain is always bracing for something.
🔹 Social Anxiety Disorder: Not just shyness—this can involve intense fear of judgment, embarrassment, or rejection in social or performance situations.
🔹 Panic Disorder: Sudden, intense episodes of fear and physical symptoms like racing heart, shortness of breath, or dizziness—often without a clear trigger.
🔹 Phobias: Specific fears (like flying, needles, or spiders) that lead to avoidance and distress.
🔹 Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Intrusive thoughts (obsessions) paired with compulsive behaviors meant to reduce distress.
🔹 Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Anxiety that lingers after trauma, showing up as flashbacks, nightmares, or hypervigilance.
It’s important to know: anxiety is treatable. With the right support—whether that’s talk therapy, somatic practices, breathwork, or a combination—your nervous system can learn to feel safe again.
If you’ve ever thought, “Maybe I’m just too sensitive,” or “Other people handle things better than I do,” consider this: your symptoms might be valid signals, not personal flaws.
You don’t have to live in survival mode. Understanding your anxiety is the first step toward healing—and you don’t have to do it alone.
If any part of this feels familiar, let’s talk. Support is here.