2 Signs of Anxiety that Don't Often Get Talked About

Many times, I hear people talk about anxiety in terms of only panic attacks. Panic attacks can undoubtedly be a part of anxiety, but people often deal with anxiety, stress, and even trauma issues and may not realize it. These are some of the symptoms that may fly under the radar, and they may not be present all of the time and could be more present when we experience stressful life events. I will also share that these symptoms may be tied to other issues, such as ADHD, PTSD, and trauma. For this reason, if you feel that your symptoms are inhibiting your personal life, work-life, or school life, you may want to consult with a professional to determine the root of the cause better and get relief. 

Sleeping Issues When Dealing with Anxiety, Stress, and Trauma

The fact that sleeping issues made this list probably seems like a no-brainer, but often, people don't realize how their sleep is impacted by the stress and anxiety they face in the daytime hours. This may lead a person to stay up later through the night, not fall asleep or stay asleep in the night, or even wake up feeling like they never really could hit a restful night sleep. Research has also found that REM sleep or deep sleep is helpful in our emotional regulation and stress response, so of course, when we have a terrible night's sleep, it's more difficult the next day to regulate as well. 

One of the most common recommendations for sleepless nights is activities that help the brain relax. Meditation or yoga Nidra, a warm shower, drinking a non-caffeinated tea, and gentle stretching can be helpful. When you feel that isn't working or you feel like you are experiencing this more nights than not, you may want to speak to someone to process the sleeping issue and other causes. For example, if you go back to a job every day that causes you stress and anxiety, there's a chance all the stretching in the world may not help you have a better night's sleep when you continue to wake up to the same stress. 

Procrastination (Not Born From Laziness but Often Born From Trauma)

Procrastination often gets discussed as if only lazy or unmotivated people procrastinate, when the root is frequently related to anxiety, trauma, and/or ADHD. There is a lot of co-morbidity within these three mental health issues, which is why it's so important to speak with a professional about symptoms. As it relates to anxiety, a person may have a severe worry or fear related to completing a task or a specific issue, so that person may put completing that task off, so they don't have to feel immersed in that fear and dread. Instead, the opposite often happens where that person may feel the same worry or fear perpetually as they are not actively dealing with the issue.

For this type of procrastination, it can be helpful to acknowledge the fear. What is terrifying about completing this task? Where does the belief come from? Has this type of fear shown up before? This can give the procrastinator some insight into the "Why" behind procrastination and its anxiety. This often can be enough to help push our way through the task at hand, and afterward, I would encourage the procrastinator to notice their thoughts and feelings. Was it as bad as they thought it would be? Doing this enough times repeatedly, the habit may change as it relates to this specific anxiety-related procrastinating task. EMDR therapy can also be helpful for this if you are finding that the anxiety and stress continue to inhibit your functioning or keep you in procrastination mode. Our behaviors always have some kind of root. Suppose you notice that procrastination is a constant frustration, and you feel it relates back to fears and anxiety. In that case, EMDR therapy may help to process memories that tie back to other times you have felt this way and experienced something similar. 

I hope this has been helpful. Remember that you are not alone. You don't have to be perfect to seek the help you deserve. Your voice can be heard, and you are worthy and capable of dealing with difficult things. If you are struggling with anxiety, perfectionism, trauma, or stress and are ready for a change, please reach out. I offer free 15-minute consultations, and even if I'm not the right person for you to speak with, I promise I will do my best to help you find the help you are looking for.