We all feel stressed and anxious from time to time. That spike in cortisol and adrenaline can be necessary, after all! But some people find it hard to control their worries, as they are more constant and often unprovoked or irrational. Furthermore, they can sometimes manifest themselves in unexpected ways.
If this is you, then you must learn to recognize your anxious behaviors before they damage your health and well-being.
How to know if you’re too anxious
You’re always in a hurry
Do you tend to blurt the words out at high-speed, especially when under pressure? Many overly anxious people have the lethal combination of racing thoughts and the desire to get out what they wanted to say as fast as possible to get it over with.
If this is you, you’ll probably also get frustrated when others around you walk, talk – or indeed function – too slowly. Something within you is somehow always in a hurry – even if there’s no real reason.
You dread leaving the house
Does going to unfamiliar places or leaving the comfortable cocoon of our own home lead to unease over who or what you could encounter? You also may feel out of sorts if some spontaneous turn to your day disrupts your routine.
If you can relate, you most likely are considered a highly-sensitive person who needs copious amounts of “me time” to recharge and reflect. But if you find yourself with an alarming fear of the outside world that affects your daily life, then it may be time to seek help.
You have nervous compulsions
Are you a nervous nail-biter? Though this is the most cliché habit, there are many repetitive and self-destructive impulses that overly anxious folk indulge in for a subconscious form of tension release.
There are also skin-pickers, hair-pullers, teeth-grinders and finger-crackers to name but a few. If left unaddressed, these habits can lead to serious physical harm or psychological distress.
You experience chronic déjà-vu
Did you know that intense episodes of déjà-vu could actually be a sign you’re too anxious? This could be anything from the usual mildly alarming sensation that you recall an event as it is happening, to an experience intense enough to make you black-out or collapse.
For those that suffer from this, you likely also have sleeping problems, headaches, and mood swings. The déjà-vu episodes can also leave you feeling disoriented, lethargic and distant.
Knowing when to seek help
You may have previously dismissed these signs as personal quirks or unexplained annoyances. However, you could manage them effectively by seeking help to manage your stress and calm your nerves. Things can get better!
See your doctor or a mental health provider if you are concerned. There’s no shame in asking for help – and you are far from alone.