This hashtag is giving insight into what it’s really like to have anxiety
We all throw around the term 'anxious', but for those living with a chronic anxiety disorder, the feelings run much deeper than cringing after an interview.
General Anxiety Disorder impacts about 1 in 20 adults in Ireland, according to the HSE.
Finding even the littlest changes in people's behavior around you and thinking they hate you #thisiswhatanxietyfeelslike
— Ash (@kale4tana) April 5, 2017
"Feeling anxious is sometimes perfectly normal," says the HSE.
"However, people with generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) find it hard to control their worries."
"Their feelings of anxiety are more constant and often affect their daily life."
#ThisIsWhatAnxietyFeelsLike you know that feeling when you're swimming in the lake and you touch seaweed. Kinda like that but all over you.
— jin-tah(@Solanavg) April 5, 2017
The disorder can manifest itself in a number of ways, but Twitter users under the hashtag #ThisIsWhatAnxietyFeelsLike are summing it up pretty well.
This description of anxiety impacting on the day-to-day lives of people is reflected in the tweets, with some tweeters referring to the feeling as the "buzzing" in their brain that never ceases.
Wanting to speak but having that voice inside your head tell you that your ideas aren't good enough. #ThisIsWhatAnxietyFeelsLike
— Jonathan Spicer (@Lego_Hero_01) April 5, 2017
Some people grow so accustomed to their disorder that they never seek the help they need, as their state of constant panic seems almost normal to them.
The HSE advises that you may be suffering from an anxiety disorder if your worrying significantly affects your daily life, including your job and social life.
You also may be suffering if your worries are extremely stressful and upsetting you, and you worry about all sorts of things and have a tendency to think the worst in all situations.
This is my life #ThisIsWhatAnxietyFeelsLike #TuesdayThoughts #anxietyproblems #TalkMH #Mentalhealth #MentalHealthMatters pic.twitter.com/m2c0nz0vXX
— Joy Pearson (@JoyPearson) March 21, 2017
Uncontrollable worrying or feeling worried nearly every day for at least six months are also signs of a problem.
The hashtag is giving us such a valuable insight into the issue, and if you feel you relate to them on a personal level, you may have a problem too.
While it is normal to suffer from a bit of anxiety ahead of an exam or interview, it's definitely worth talking to your GP about if you feel that anxiety is impacting your day-to-day life.
