Think of anxiety as a sea that at one point is calm, still, almost unnoticeable, but then, within a short while, you are at the peak of stormy, panic-filled conditions, a full-out nightmarish scenario. These storms hit suddenly, bringing with them chaos and uncertainty, and drop you into a dark sea of thoughts. It’s scary, especially when a few minutes ago you thought you had weathered out that storm. But also bear in mind that these feelings do not last forever. Like the sea, which at times is a high tide and at others a low, your symptoms will come up, go down, and eventually settle.
Also, remember that it is normal to feel this way, that it is a real thing, and that you are not alone. Many people see anxiety as a constant state. So when they go through spells of it, they think there is a problem, when really, this is a very human thing to go through, and the cycle is almost the same for all. You are not making this up, are you? You’re weak for what you are going through?
Why does my anxiety come and go in waves?
Anxiety comes in waves because when your body detects stress, your nervous system reacts to it. Your brain, as soon as it feels that something is off, sends out signals and alarms, which sometimes may come in bursts, and sometimes all at once. Sometimes, some triggers can cause anxiety to come in waves, too.
These triggers can vary from person to person. They can range from public speaking to perfectionism, substance abuse, loneliness, loud noises, excessive caffeine use, hormonal changes, past experiences (e.g., bullying, abuse, etc.), overstimulation, and lack of sleep.
These trigger points, themselves, emanate from various aspects such as societal structure, environmental setup, as well as the varying degrees of an individual’s response to pressure. Societal constructs and environmental conditions being deeply interlinked can burden an individual with expectations, and more so aggravate the mental pressure on them when the most basic needs of life are not met.
Sometimes, a single thought of “What will happen if…” is enough to send someone into a spiral of inevitable negative thoughts.
Does Having Anxiety Waves Mean Something Is Seriously Wrong With Me?
It is important to know that your anxiety is just your body’s way of trying to save you. You know how, when your body senses that you may be in danger, it goes into ‘save’ mode? Well, this is exactly how that works. Just like you do not need the ‘save’ mode when you are in a place of safety, your anxiety does not need to go into ‘save’ mode when you are safe.
Anxiety waves are a sign that your body is on high alert. It always looks out for the worst possible outcome of a situation. However, this does not mean that your nervous system is dangerous; it just means that it is active. It is important to remember that this is not harmful at all, just a bit overwhelming and intense, and as a result, causes humans to “crash out.”
When anxiety comes in waves, people think that something is wrong with them, as if it is gone, it will come again, and I will never feel better. I will lose my mind and will not be in control.” Anxiety makes people feel this way, but that is because their body cannot be in a state of high alert forever; it has to come down eventually.
Experiencing anxiety in waves does not make you weak, broken, or helpless. It means that you are experiencing stress in a normal way and should seek help when needed.
Waves of Fear Anxiety
Wondering about how anxiety waves affect the body as well as the mind? Anxiety is not just a “it’s all in your head” mental health issue, like some say. It is an intense feeling that affects the body just as it affects the mind. When the triggers mentioned above come together with an already sensitive nervous system, that is when the actual problem begins.
Kessler’s Syndrome is a phenomenon in science that occurs when pieces of space debris collide with each other, resulting in the creation of more debris, until it grows into a problem. It is the same for anxiety. The more anxiety you have, the more anxiety you will have. A small thought will hit another small thought and create a sense of fear, anxiety, and panic (even if they are innocent thoughts, or ones that you know do not matter), resulting in larger problems to deal with.
This is why anxiety in waves comes in the form of physiological symptoms such as heart rate, dizziness, nausea, short breath, tight chest, sweating, and muscle stiffness. These are your body’s ways of helping you, and they will release the hormones that you feel during these episodes.
Apart from somatic symptoms, you may also feel disconnected from reality, have a sort of “out of body experience,” stay hyper vigilant, and be stuck in a loop of “what ifs,” which can make the waves feel stronger and more intense.
Help with anxiety
Seeking help for any mental health problem, be it depression, OCD, PTSD, postpartum depression, ADHD testing, or even anxiety, does not make you weak- if anything, it shows how strong you could be and what steps you are willing to take to better yourself and work on your mental health. Reaching out for help is a form of self- care.
Seek professional help if waves of anxiety affect your:
- Daily routine
- Sleep
- eating habits
- Relationship
- Work/academic life
Anxiety is treatable, and it is important not to suffer in silence and seek medical help. A mental health professional specialized in anxiety treatment helps you understand your anxiety, your experiences associated with anxiety, and guides you on ways to cope with it.
Remember, you are not what your anxiety waves make you- they are not your identity, and do not define you. Learning how to deal with them is a process and once mastered, allows you to manage them easily, giving you a greater sense of control and emotional regulation.
