Anxiety is a normal and natural emotion that we all feel sometimes. However, some people may experience anxiety more often, more intensely, or more disruptively than others. This may indicate an anxiety disorder, which is a common mental health condition that affects about 18% of adults in the U.S.
But not everyone who has anxiety shows it in the same way. Some people may have what is called hidden anxiety, which means they feel anxious inside but do not show it outside. They may seem calm, confident, and successful to others, but inside they are dealing with worry, fear, and nervousness.
Hidden anxiety can be difficult to spot and treat, but it can still affect one’s mental and physical health. If you think that you or someone you know may have hidden anxiety, here are 10 signs to watch out for:
1. You don’t like talking face-to-face
If you find it easier to communicate through text or online chat than through face-to-face conversations, you may have social anxiety. Social anxiety is a type of anxiety disorder that involves fear of being judged, criticized, or rejected by others in social situations. People with social anxiety may avoid or dread interacting with others, especially strangers or authority figures. They may also struggle with making eye contact, expressing themselves, or ending the conversation smoothly.
2. You’re always self-conscious
Another sign of social anxiety is being overly self-conscious about how you look, act, or perform in front of others. You may feel like everyone is watching you and noticing your flaws or errors. You may also worry about embarrassing yourself or doing something wrong. This can make you feel insecure, ashamed, or inferior to others.
3. You’re easily upset or irritated
Anxiety can affect your mood and emotions, making you more prone to anger, frustration, or sadness. You may have hidden anxiety if you:
- get annoyed or offended by everything and everyone are told that you’re too sensitive or overreacting
- have your feelings hurt easily by others’ comments or actions
- react angrily or aggressively over minor issues
4. You’re panicky or easily startled
Anxiety can also make you more alert and vigilant to potential threats or dangers in your environment. This can cause you to feel panicky or jumpy when something unexpected happens, such as a phone call, a knock on the door, or an email with no subject line. You may also:
- have trouble relaxing or calming down
- feel restless or on edge
- experience physical symptoms such as sweating, trembling, racing heart, or shortness of breath
5. You’re indecisive
Anxiety can impair your decision-making skills and make you doubt yourself and your choices. You may have hidden anxiety if you:
- have trouble making simple choices such as what to wear, what to eat, or what to watch
- worry that you’ll make the wrong decision and regret it later
- spend hours thinking about the pros and cons of every option
6. You overthink past conversations
Anxiety can also make you ruminate or obsess over past events and interactions that may have gone wrong or could have been better. You may have hidden anxiety if you:
- replay past conversations in your head and analyze every detail
- wonder what others thought of you and how they perceived you
- think about what you should have said or done differently
- feel guilty or ashamed about something you said or did
7. You’re always making yourself busy
Some people with hidden anxiety cope by keeping themselves occupied with lots of tasks and activities throughout the day. This can help them distract themselves from their anxious thoughts and feelings and give them a sense of control and accomplishment. However, this can also backfire if they:
- take on more than they can handle and feel overwhelmed
- neglect their own needs and well-being
- avoid dealing with their underlying issues
8. You talk down to yourself all the time
Anxiety can affect your self-esteem and self-confidence, making you more harsh and pessimistic towards yourself. You may have hidden anxiety if you:
- have a negative inner voice that criticizes or insults you
- blame yourself for things that are not your fault
- compare yourself unfavorably to others
- doubt your abilities or worth
9. You have trouble sleeping
Anxiety can affect your sleep quality and quantity, making it hard to fall asleep, stay asleep, or wake up refreshed. You may have hidden anxiety if you:
- lie awake at night worrying about things
- have nightmares or bad dreams
- wake up frequently or too early
- feel tired or groggy during the day
10. You have physical symptoms
Anxiety can also cause various physical symptoms that may not seem related to your mental state. You may have hidden anxiety if you:
- have headaches, stomachaches, or other pains
- have digestive problems such as nausea, diarrhea, or constipation
- have skin problems such as acne, eczema, or hives
- have allergies or asthma
If you relate to any of these 10 signs of hidden anxiety, don’t feel embarrassed or ashamed. Anxiety is a common and treatable condition that many people struggle with. You don’t have to suffer in silence. Seek help from a professional therapist, counselor, or doctor who can help you manage your anxiety and improve your quality of life.
