Anxiety Doesn’t Always Look the Same
written by Dr. Liz Matheis posted on Psychology Today
When we think of anxiety or a person who is anxious, we may think of someone panicking, hyperventilating, or crying. That can be the experience of anxiety, but it’s not always that obvious for children, adolescents, or young adults. Anxiety is an internal physiological and cognitive experience that can be all-consuming and consistent. There are days when anxiety is stronger and there are days when anxiety is quieter. There are times when anxiety is triggered by a scent or a thought, and sometimes, it can be triggered by seemingly nothing at all.
The Silent Side of Anxiety
Anxiety can be an invisible disability in that it can’t be seen. It is often very difficult to look at a person and accurately assess their experience of anxiety and its intensity. It is an internal experience that can be easily misinterpreted as aloofness or disinterest. In fact, people with anxiety are not aloof or disinterested at all. Instead, they often want to be accepted and part of the group. They want to be present but are often worried about:
- How others feel around them
- If they have contributed to negative feelings in the social situation they’re in
- If they can maintain a conversation well
- If they are being judged
- Where the exits are
- Their safety and the safety of others
- What to do with their hands
- How to position their body
- Where to stand
- When to speak and when to stop speaking