These things actually indicate anxiety in many people.
It’s estimated that around 4% of the population (that’s 300 million people worldwide) suffer from anxiety disorders—even if they aren’t fully aware of them. Although the behaviors listed here seem “normal”, they’re often telltale signs that someone is wracked with anxiety.
1. Constantly keeping busy.
If someone is constantly engaged with work projects, hobbies, and chores, there’s little time (or room) for anxious thoughts to seep through. Staying busy all the time is one way that anxious people keep scarier thoughts at bay, though doing so often ends up depleting them and making them feel worse.
2. Meticulously planning everything.
Anxious people try to anticipate every aspect of every experience so that they’re never surprised, nor have to deal with social awkwardness. As such, they check restaurant menus ahead of time and plan what to order, lay out clothes days in advance, and have maps as well as GPS plans when traveling.
3. Working really hard.
They can always do a bit more work on their project, or a few more weight reps. In their minds, as long as they have energy and they’re still breathing, they can do something useful and productive. This helps to allay anxiety about not being enough or doing enough, because they’re doing all they can, all the time.
4. Fidgeting.
A person who can’t seem to sit still at work or in social functions might bounce their leg or fidget with an object. They’ll explain it away as being “high energy”, when in reality they’re dealing with roiling waves of anxiety and need to do something physical to channel them outwards.
5. Constant self-checks for potential issues.
A person might run their hands over their face, neck, or body on a regular basis to check to see if there are any imperfections. If there are, they’ll analyze them to determine whether they’re serious or not. Some may even fuss over blemishes until they bleed.
6. Spacing out mid-conversation.
A person who seems to space or zone out during a conversation may be disassociating due to anxiety, rather than boredom or lack of engagement. They may be so fixated on what others think of them, or overanalyzing what to say next, that they disconnect from what’s going on all around them.
7. Remaining very still and quiet.
Not all anxious people fidget. Many are so worried about saying or doing the wrong thing and potentially humiliating themselves that they choose to be keen observers. They’ll remain on the outskirts of social functions and people-watch, rather than engaging with anyone, remaining as still as possible to blend in with the wallpaper.
8. Chewing gum or always having a mint in one’s mouth.
Chewing gum or having something in one’s mouth helps to alleviate stress and anxiety, while simultaneously increasing focus. As a result, if you notice that someone is always chewing on gum or sucking on a mint, it may be a coping mechanism for their anxiety, and not just a breath freshener.
9. Constantly offering to help others.
A person who feels anxious or insecure about what’s going on in their own life may turn all their energy towards helping others. By doing so, they feel that they’re doing something of real value, rather than constantly feeling like useless, anxious failures who somehow aren’t “enough”.
10. Being meticulously clean.
This can refer to personal hygiene as well as keeping one’s surroundings tidy. Many people with high-functioning anxiety don’t even realize that they’re anxious: they simply laugh at the fact that they’re “neat freaks” and are always cleaning something. Although some may be germ-phobic, most who embody this behavior seek catharsis through control.
11. Needing constant reassurance.
A person who always seems to be immaculately put together, but constantly asks those around them if they look okay, is likely bubbling with anxiety just below the surface. Although they may seem calm and collected on the surface, they’re actually dealing with intense insecurity (even panic), and need to be told that everything’s okay.
12. Sleeping a great deal.
Many people who struggle with anxiety and depression can have difficulty calming down enough to sleep. Then, when they do finally manage to rest, they’ll oversleep because their bodies are trying to make up for lost downtime. Additionally, sleeping is a form of escapism to avoid the issues that are causing them anxiety.
