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Anxiety is the most common mental disorder in the world. Currently, it affects about one in 13 people, meaning that approximately 7.3 percent of the world's population is facing these struggles every day. For someone who doesn't have it (lucky them!), it may seem like something that can easily be shrugged off. I'm sure that many who are struggling with their mental health have heard their "just-cheer-up's" more than enough.

Quite recently, someone started a thread on Twitter about what anxiety feels like. The person wrote that their anxiety feels like an increased heart rate, worrying about the future, feeling disconnected from the world and other symptoms. Other people started sharing their symptoms as well, thus making the thread go viral with almost 17k likes. Scroll down below to read people's answers on what anxiety feels like to them and comment on whether you've dealt with the same struggles (and even maybe how you managed to overcome them!).

#1

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Lynda Momalo
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This sounds more like depression than anxiety. (I've got both, so no criticisms.)

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#2

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Mary Stiles
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah. I thought I was alone. But, I realized (through this article) that I'm not.

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#3

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Amberly Middlemiss
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

this is also more like depression than anxiety, except maybe the last one

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#4

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Matt Du
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4 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

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#5

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Lilli
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I absolutely hate change; one small thing makes me mad because I follow a routine. I blame everything on myself, and always second guess things like even making a sandwich. or commenting on a post. I used to feel like my room was a prison, but now that's the only place I want to be( I am a teenager tho so idk). I get triggered at very small things, like a drop of glue on the side of the bottle or dropping a book. I don't really fear interactions though, unless it's with someone new or with someone of interest. I am actually very extroverted lol. Now I am even second-guessing writing this because I feel like I will be judged somehow :(

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#7

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Sonia Górnicz
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

waking up with a fast heartbeat and difficulty breathing because of the anxiety is like a torture to me. There is nothing more i desire in this world to get rid of that feeling

#8

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CrunChewy McSandybutt
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I find that when I start a new relationship (platonic or not) I immediately think about the end.

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#10

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Id row
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Every time I go to the doctor to get my anxiety medication renewed, they ask why my heart rate is so high. I want to say, "Really? Are you kidding with that?". My heart rate is always between 90 and 117. And that's not when I'm having palpitations.

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#11

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Id row
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The racing thoughts are terrible. It's like a slide show on fast forward. They don't stay in your head long enough for you to focus on just one at a time.

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#15

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Laura Roberts
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I definitely feel like I easily annoy most people. I am sorry this person feels the rest of these.. =‘(

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#16

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Id row
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh, all of these I know well. My husband used to call me Shakey McTwitch. I always have the remote in my hand in case there's a loud noise on tv. I'm a gunslinger with the mute button. I don't leave the house for weeks on end because even the thought of going to the store is overwhelming and too stressful. Anxiety sucks, it can take over your life.

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#17

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#18

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Nikki D
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Every day hoping and praying that the next day will be better and that this isn't just how life is now.

#19

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Joi Behrend
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Soul deep exhaustion is such a great description. It's almost like your mind won't shut off the thoughts of anticipation of what you need to do, it's always overthinking, and it spreads down from your mind to your body. Just thinking about and anticipating what might happen (and of course it's always worst-case scenarios and never fabulous things) that make it almost feel like your body has already done the things. It's probably your thoughts triggering hormones that trick your body into thinking it has experienced the bad things you thought about.

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#20

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Mary Stiles
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, I'm always so tired, because i can't sleep. I'm constantly scared that my gf is going to break up with me, even though at the same time I know she's not.

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#21

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Birma Gustafsson
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And you breath fast and shallow because the chest is so tight, and your back is stiff like a board, neck muscles rigid, eyes wide open, and you think you're going to die. Your heart can't beat that fast and not explode.

#22

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EA
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’m like this in the morning. It’s like i’m paralysed and physically can’t move or get out of bed. People assume i’m lazy but it’s a real problem getting up in the morning.

#23

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Nikki D
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I won't even go to the mailbox! On one hand, it's kind of nice to know I'm not alone, but on the other hand, I wouldn't wish these feelings on my worst enemy.

#24

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Mary Stiles
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Anxiety feels like: not being able to control anything Not being able to stop shaking Not being able to breathe Having panic attacks all the time Freaking out about everything Trying not to cry when the tears are already spilling out.

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#25

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Lilli
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

yep, I can relate. At lunch, I mostly stay quiet because when I speak, no one seems to react or care. I don't get invited too many places, which makes me feel like no one likes me or I have no friends. My hands are always sweaty, and people even ask me about them if they touch my hand for a high five or something like that. I worry about every little thing, and I feel like nothing sometimes :( today has been a hard day

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#26

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#27

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#28

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Cassady Medel
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Anxiety sucks.I have these too.Also afraid of going to sleep😣

#29

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#30

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Note: this post originally had 50 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.

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