Getting anxious and being anxious are similar yet different. People who are generally anxious tend to get uncomfortable more easily than others. Here are 10 problems of anxious people.
#1. Crowds
Crowds are overwhelming, period. For anxious people, though, being in a crowd can make your heart race to the point that you’re positive it’s going to explode. Literally.
#2. Meeting new people
You only have one chance to make a good impression on someone. And being an anxious person means that you worry what others might think about you. Once you start freaking out, you’re more likely to come off as either shy or weird. In either case, you’ve probably just proven the whole self-fulfilling prophecy thing. Meaning, you’ve worried so much about making a bad impression that you probably did just that.
#3. Speaking in front of people
Public speaking is the number one fear among people, in general. The second biggest fear? Death. So that means most people would rather die than have to talk in front of others.
#4. Making plans
Just the thought of making plans will make an anxious person freak out. Never mind actually going out and doing said plans. The idea, alone, of planning something for later that day or week can be a daunting task. What if it falls through? What if my ideas are stupid? What if I don’t even feel like doing that when the time comes? Ugh…I’d rather just not do anything.
#5.Unexectedly running into someone you know
Anxious people generally don’t like surprises, even good ones. So, when you cross paths with someone you weren’t expecting to see, even if it’s a friend you actually like, this encounter is enough to get the heart racing and palms sweating.
#6. Exams/performance reviews at work
These sorts of situations are nerve-wracking to even generally non-anxious people. But for anxious people, taking an exam or having your annual review can feel like imminent death.
#7. Sending a text and not getting a response right away
Why haven’t they replied yet? Do they hate me? Maybe I said/did something to upset them. Finally, you get a response and the world is OK again. After all, they probably aren’t glued to their phone 24/7 (like you are).
#8. Sending/receiving a friend request
If you’re the sender, you’re worried they won’t accept your request. After all, who do you think you are? Requesting someone’s Facebook friendship…pffft. If you’re the sendee, you get anxious and wonder, “why is this person ‘friending’ me? Do they want something from me?”
#9. Dating
OK, so dating is a little scary for most people, if not everyone. But, if you’re an anxious person, going on a date, even if it’s not the first one with this person can cause you to freak out. You might dread having to make witty conversation or something as simple as deciding what to order at the restaurant. What if you’re underdressed or worse, overdressed. There is nothing more awkward.
#10. Going out in public, in general
Anxious people get nervous about being seen by others and seeing others (see #5). They also might feel nervous about the unexpected (which is scary to most). Going out in public means anything can happen. Sometimes, anxious people prefer the comfort and familiarity of their own home. And that’s OK. Listen up, anxious people, you are perfect the way you are. The things that you say make you anxious also make the rest of us anxious. It’s totally normal.
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