Hey, my name is Shubhangi Halande. Three years ago, I was in the toilet at work, holding my chest and thinking I was suffering a heart attack at 28. These were alarming signs of anxiety disorder, as my eyesight was blurry, my hands tingled, and I had trouble breathing.
What is the truth? It was my first full-blown panic attack, but it wasn’t the first time I saw a warning sign. In hindsight, anxiety had been whispering to me for months before it began yelling.
The Early Signs – signs of anxiety disorder
Signs of anxiety disorder don’t happen all at once. Signs of anxiety disorder creep in gradually, leaving you unaware until they completely overwhelm you.
Here are the little signs I missed:
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1. The nights that wouldn’t let me sleep
signs of anxiety disorder – I began waking up at three in the morning with my thoughts racing over work deadlines that were due three months ago. I reassured myself, “Just stress,” as I swallowed the melatonin.
But natural tension doesn’t keep you up at night worrying about things that will never happen.
2. The appetite that goes away
My favorite meals suddenly tasted like cardboard. I would spend whole days without eating and then feel sick when I tried.
My stomach was always knotted, not because I felt sick.
3. The Weight That Can’t Be Seen
signs of anxiety disorder It required an enormous effort to get out of bed. Although it wasn’t as severe as depression, I consistently experienced emotional exhaustion before the start of my day.
I said it was because I was “adulting,” but regular exhaustion doesn’t come with a feeling of dread.
4. The Change in Society – signs of anxiety disorder
I started making last-minute cancellations of plans, claiming to be “busy.” What is the truth? My hands became sweaty when the restaurants were full. I was too busy with group talks. I was becoming someone I didn’t know.
The girl who used to adore parties was suddenly too scared to speak to others. The time when everything fell into place It all changed at a regular team meeting.
When my boss commended my most recent project, my heart started beating so hard that I felt everyone could hear it. My fingertips lost feeling. I made an excuse, shut myself in a cubicle, and cried quietly.
That’s when I finally typed “Can’t stop worrying about physical symptoms” into Google. The search results all led to the same thing: generalized anxiety disorder.
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How I Learned to Stand Up for Myself—Signs of anxiety disorder
1. Becoming a Detective of Thoughts
My therapist showed me how to recognize “anxiety lies”: “This meeting will be a disaster.”
→ Truth: I’d made it through hundreds of them successfully. “People don’t like me.”
—proof: they keep asking me to hang out
2. The Strength of Being Aware of Your Body
Before I panicked, I began to see physical signs: Shoulders getting closer to my ears Jaw so tight it might break teeth “Chest breathing” that isn’t deep Now that I know how to box breathe, I do it for four seconds in, four seconds held, and four seconds out.
3. Making a toolkit for anxiety
My purse currently has: A smooth worry stone to help me feel grounded Use peppermint oil to help with nausea. My handwriting says, “This feeling will pass.”
4. Learning to Give Up – signs of anxiety disorder
It was the most challenging lesson, yet it was the one that liberated me. Anxiety grows when you fight it. When I quit battling the terror and said, “Okay, do your worst,” the attacks stopped working.
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signs of anxiety disorder – That You Might Be Getting
Anxiety Disorder Whether you’re not sure whether your stress is “normal” or something else, look for these signs:
- Physical symptoms that don’t have a medical reason (such a racing heart, stomach problems, or migraines)
- Behaviors that avoid things (like putting off duties because you’re scared instead of lazy)
- Sleep problems (having issues falling asleep or staying asleep because your mind is racing)
- Being irritable about little things (getting angry at loved ones and then feeling bad about it)
Hypervigilance refers to the constant search for potential risks that may not exist.
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A Letter to Myself – signs of anxiety disorder
“Dear Shubhangi,
I know you’re afraid. I know you’re ashamed that “small” things seem so enormous today. But such fear isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s your body’s way of telling you that you’ve been strong for too long without a break. The storm will go away.
Take a deep breath. Get in touch.
“This won’t last forever.” Where I Am Right Now I still have nervous days, but they don’t own me. I go on trips by myself. I spoke at meetings.
Sometimes, I even enjoy making spontaneous plans. It’s not about never feeling nervous again; it’s about not being terrified of the anxiety itself anymore.
If my tale speaks to you, please know that those early signals are your mind’s way of pleading for assistance.
Pay attention to them.
The sooner you do it, the sooner you’ll find the person you used to be that anxiety attempted to conceal. You’re not going crazy.
You aren’t weak. What’s most crucial to remember?
You’re not the only one. Want to tell your story? My DMs are always open.
Let’s make these talks normal, one honest confession at a time.
💛 Shubhangi Halande is a mental health advocate and an anxiety warrior.
