Unveiling the enigma of anticipatory anxiety, we delve into the realm of the mind, where fears of the unknown and unexperienced reside. Discover the psychological underpinnings of this phenomenon and learn how it shapes our perception of future events.
Anticipatory anxiety
This is fear and worry around bad things that could happen
- It can happen in a lot of different contexts, but it commonly focuses on things you can’t predict or control.
- Symptoms of anticipatory anxiety include: loss of interest in your usual hobbies, jitteriness, restlessness, muscle tension and pain, nausea and appetite loss, and trouble sleeping.
Take care of physical needs
The mind-body connection is very real, and your physical wellness can have an impact on emotional wellness.
- Things like sleep, nutrition, and exercise can play an important part in the management of anxiety symptoms, including anticipatory anxiety
- Sleep: cutting back on caffeine and practicing relaxation techniques just before bed can often improve your sleep; physical activity can also help relieve symptoms of anxiety and stress.
Talk about it
Vocally voicing your fears can help them feel less frightening.
- Telling your partner about your fears might feel more terrifying than the thought of the breakup.
- A closer look at the situation. Is your relationship mostly going well? Do you have any reason to believe they want to break up? Could something else entirely be distracting them?
Therapy
Best way to explore issues involving anxiety
- Examine sources of stress in your life and begin working to address possible causes of anticipatory anxiety.
- Identify harmful or less effective coping methods, like avoiding the source of your fear or numbing with alcohol, and offer guidance on more helpful strategies.
Panic disorder
Panic attacks involve a lot of uncomfortable sensations, including chest pain, difficulty breathing, and feelings of extreme terror.
- It is very normal to worry about having another panic attack, especially if you have no idea what triggered it. Anxiety about having more panic attacks can become overwhelming.
Medication
Medication won’t cure anxiety, but it can help improve symptoms, including anticipatory anxiety, especially when combined with therapy.
- Your healthcare provider may recommend medication if your symptoms: make it difficult to go about your daily life prevent you from making progress in therapy, cause serious distress affect your physical health, or have serious physical health effects.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Many people who’ve experienced trauma live in fear of that trauma happening again.
- Anticipatory anxiety can cause plenty of distress and keep you stuck in looping anxious thoughts. These coping tips can help you take action to break this cycle.
Check your self-talk
Spending too much time thinking about negative things can prevent you from enjoying the good things in life
- When you start to worry about something, ask yourself, “Is this a realistic possibility?” If the answer is no, redirect your energy toward the present moment.
- If you do have anxiety, make a plan to cope.
Social anxiety
Social anxiety disorder involves an extreme fear of rejection or negative judgment.
- Worrying about future criticism from others can make it difficult to share ideas or speak your mind on any topic. Symptoms include: anxiety, panic, social withdrawal, and social anxiety disorder.
Specific phobias
These can involve extreme fear of everyday objects or experiences – clocks, spiders, heights, or taking a bus.
- People with these have a lot of anticipatory anxiety around coming into contact with what they’re afraid of, and often avoid venturing out at all.
Ground yourself
These exercises can help interrupt distressing or anxious thoughts and reconnect to the present
- Many of the exercises happen in your own thoughts, so you can practice them anywhere, at any time
- If your own coping strategies aren’t providing much relief, it is worth exploring professional help
