How do individuals describe their feelings of anxiety?

Individuals often describe their feelings of anxiety as thoughts they can't turn off. This description captures the pervasive and intrusive nature of anxious thoughts, which can dominate an individual's mind and create a sense of mental clutter. This experience highlights how anxiety can manifest not only in physiological symptoms, such as increased heart rate or sweating, but also in cognitive disturbances. The inability to quiet these racing thoughts can lead to a heightened state of distress and concern, making it challenging for individuals to focus on daily tasks or engage in social interactions.

In contrast, feelings of anxiety are not typically characterized as overwhelming and debilitating or as easily manageable. While some individuals may experience anxiety in these ways, it is more common for individuals to find anxiety to be an everyday struggle that affects their thoughts and emotional wellbeing rather than something they can easily handle or dismiss as mild.