Weekly Prompt #40: What kind of behaviors do you think anxiety has caused you to engage in?

@ASilentObserver

I tap my fingers or fidget with something random like a loose thread on my clothes. When my mind is running a million thoughts at once, I use music or play a word game to just get it to focus on one thing and calm down. When things are really bad I just shut down, I compartmentalize all my emotions and I am become numb. I try not to let it get to that point because it takes me couple of days to recover. But most days, I just push through it and do my best to hide it. Only my best friend knows how severe my anxiety is. Honestly, having a forum like this is so supportive because for once in my life there are people who understand and there is no judgement.

@ASilentObserver 

not having a good sleep, worrying toooo much and not focused on rn but the future and mass up everything 

@ASilentObserver Due to anxiety, I have become more introverted, vigilant, and hesitant to attend social activities. It is still something I am working on but over time, I know I will get better at socializing.

@ASilentObserver

Hello everyone! I’m excited to dive into this week’s prompt about how anxiety can lead to specific behaviors in our attempts to manage overwhelming emotions. This is such an important topic, and I appreciate the opportunity to explore it together.

Anxiety can often manifest in various behaviors that we may not even realize we're engaging in at first. For example, avoidance behavior is common—when I feel anxious about a social event, I often find myself coming up with excuses to stay home. While it feels like a relief in the moment, I’ve noticed that it often leads to increased feelings of isolation and can heighten my anxiety in the long run.

Another behavior I’ve experienced is reassurance-seeking. I often find myself reaching out to friends or family to confirm that I’m making the right decisions or to alleviate my worries. While this can provide temporary comfort, I’ve realized that relying on others for constant reassurance can actually increase my anxiety, as I become dependent on external validation instead of trusting my own judgment.

I’ve also engaged in compulsive behaviors, like double-checking things repeatedly—such as whether I locked the door or turned off the stove. While this gives me a sense of control in the moment, it can quickly spiral into a time-consuming cycle that leaves me feeling drained and even more anxious.

I’m curious to hear if anyone else has experienced similar behaviors and how they’ve impacted your daily lives.

@ASilentObserver

I tend to be completely avoidant. I always worry people will see right through my act if I pretend to be okay, so I would cancel plans and stay home alone. Although, I'm learning to handle things better and open up to those who love me.