"Anxiety" has become a buzzword. Everyone talks about it and it seems like everyone has it. But, how do you know if you're experiencing normal nervousness versus something more detrimental to your mental health? Continue reading for signs that you might be struggling with anxiety.

Overthinking

What do you think about when you have a few minutes of free time? When you are waiting in line at the store? When you are driving? What goes through your mind when you have an upcoming meeting with your boss? Or when you check your mail? Do you find yourself thinking about the same problems or the same situations over and over again?

Everyone overthinks at some point. We overthink how we will take on a new project, or over prepare for a vacation. For some people, overthinking has become a way of life. It feels like their brains never stop analyzing. Their brains may spin and spin, even when they are trying to relax or enjoy time with friends and loved ones.

Overthinking can be an indicator of something more than just temporary nervousness. People who struggle with anxiety disorders often find themselves overthinking and ruminating over things that happened in the past, concerns about what other people will think, or fears about what negative things could happen in the future. The worst part is that they feel like they cannot stop overthinking. This creates helplessness and hopelessness, which then becomes something else to worry about.

Procrastination

Many people assume that procrastination is related to laziness, but often it is a sign of anxiety. Sometimes we avoid doing something or put it off because we are enjoying whatever we are doing right now. Dishes are not nearly as enjoyable as Netflix. But, if you find yourself procrastinating and avoiding things that you want to do, or things that you have to do well - such as reports for work, training for a race, or writing an essay or blog post that will be judged by others - it may be a sign of anxiety.

If you find yourself staying up late at night to complete something that you've known about for a few weeks, or you set aside time to do something and end up scrolling through social media until that time is gone, it may be a sign of anxiety. You may be avoiding doing something because you're worried that you will fail or that others will judge you. Next time you find yourself procrastinating, ask yourself why. How do you feel about the project? If you tense up and feel nervous, you may have anxiety.

Insomnia

Occasional sleeplessness can come from many things - late night caffeine, stress about work the next day, physical pain and discomfort, or temporary worries. If you find yourself struggling to calm your mind enough to sleep, or if you find that you wake every morning between 3-5 am feeling wide awake and ready to take on the day, you could be struggling with anxiety.

Anxiety can cause us to feel alert, even when we should be sleeping. Anxiety can also cause us to wake early in the morning. Although some people embrace shortened sleep schedules, in the long term, not getting enough sleep can increase your anxiety, increase symptoms of depression, and contributes to long-term physical decline. If you're not able to get at least 6-8 hours of sleep per night because of overthinking or stress, you may have anxiety.

Perfectionism

Many people are ambitious and like to get a lot done, and most of us want to do well. Occasionally worrying about missing a small detail or wanting to accomplish something isn't usually a concern. But, when the need to have everything be just right or perfect becomes overwhelming, or when you feel like you have to conquer the world to be okay, you may be struggling with anxiety.

Perfectionists sometimes procrastinate. Sometimes they avoid trying something new at all for fear that they won't be able to do it perfectly. Striving for excellence is healthy. Striving for perfection often results in feeling like you've failed, even when you are excellent. That fear of failure is a form of anxiety. If perfectionism tends to creep into everything that you do, you may be struggling with anxiety.

Overachievement

Overachievers - people who are driven to be the very best at everything they do - are often struggling with anxiety. Ambition is a great thing. Without ambition, we wouldn't have innovation. But feeling an intrinsic need to be the very best in every area of life, or feeling the need to compulsively work, take classes, or to constantly hit new goals can be signs of anxiety. Often people who struggle with overthinking, negative thinking, and even trauma will use achievement to avoid facing these difficult emotions. If you find yourself compulsively doing things, moving, cleaning, working, training, or preparing for things, it may be a sign that you are struggling with anxiety.

If you're struggling with any of these symptoms, or with other anxiety symptoms such as excessive worry, restlessness, or irritability, working with a compassionate mental health professional can help. You can learn tools to recognize and manage anxiety, and uncover the source of your anxiety. Click on the contact button below to reach out. You can email me a question, or schedule a free 15 minute consultation. You don’t have to suffer from anxiety forever. Help is available. Reach out today.