Anxiety – how’s it feel?

By definition Anxiety is 

‘an uncomfortable feeling of nervousness or worry about something that is happening or might happen in the future’

But this analysis is just so matter of fact about it. Anxiety manifests itself in a variety of way and differs from person to person. Meaning there is no one size fits all answer, which sadly is how most things get treated. 

For me, my anxiety forms like a ball of stretchy tightness (thats a technical term) near my heart, as when first diagnosed it was originally suspected a mild heart attack, but my ECG proved that false. 

To add to that tight feeling my brain seems to lose it’s ability to rationally organise my thoughts and comprehension in that moment.  I almost want to liken it too having too many tabs open in a browser, everything seems to go into a muddle and there’s random music or voice coming from somewhere. 

I’m still working on coping strategies, breath work etc to help when the anxiety starts but sometimes i have to take medication to assist. 

For many years i hated the thought of having to take medication to make me, dare i say ‘normal’ and able to function. I came to realise that it’s not a weakness, or some sort of slur on me. It was a means of assistance, like a life jacket keeping my afloat while i rebuild.

So never be ashamed if you need medication to assist you. It’s a tool to help you, and to work with other means of healing. 

The illustration included by @scarcurtis really does a great job of portraying how anxiety feels in many forms. Like i said one size doesn’t fit all.

If anyone recognises these feelings know you aren’t alone, and there are ways and people that can help. 

Thanks for reading