Is this normal, or do I have anxiety?

Ask a Therapist Is This Normal?
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Basically, I have been showing symptoms of social anxiety, but Im worried that it is like self diagnosed or im self inflicting it to feel unique. Basically, whenever i go to social events that are very important. even like an open house of my dream school, anywhere just where i dont know people , i get really worried liek dizzy and shortness of breath, fast heart rate. Everyone around me knows i overthink a lot. I will overthink an event si much that i have liek back up solutions for any problem. Something simple ss prom, I am worried about many months early because i dont want to be alone, or look bad, and like embarrass myself. Sometimes at night I can’t sleep due to overthinking or strong nostalgia. I overthink my thoughts so much that I overthink that I am overthinking. I can be confident in places where I am comfortable like my current school I can go on stage, but I am scared to order coffee at a new coffee shop, because I don’t want to be short of cash, or pronounce something wrong. I would get my friends to do it for me. I am also worried that I am faking this and it is a figment of my imagination…

Also I am very superstitious due to my “anxiety”. Like every day before school, I have to take the same path if not my day will be ruined even fi it makes me late. If I cannot visualise something happening, it means it won’t happen. I will use the same blue pen I have been using for good grades, and even stay up very late suffixing for something I am prepared for so that the tiredness proves that I worked hard. Before every exam, i always listen to the same affirmations video, etc.

Do I just overthink a lot, or is this anxiety? This is really tiring because I can’t talk to people even though I want to, and it’s draining to be worried about minute things

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Hi OP,

It sounds very tiring just reading what you have to go through. I’m not a licensed psychologist myself, so I can’t officially say whether you have an anxiety disorder or not. However, I can say that from my experience, my overthinking is not to the point I can’t sleep or that I can’t order coffee at a new place. I would suggest getting yourself checked up by a licensed psychologist about your issues. If the problem is to the point affecting your daily life and physical health, it would be good to have it checked early on if you have the resources.

1 Like
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Hey @youthfulshiba7687 ,

It does sound like you have been dealing with a lot of thoughts and reactions for some time. The overthinking and the physical feelings can be tiring, especially when it keeps coming up in different situations.

As mentioned by douggydoug, if you are open to it, you can speak to someone trained to listen. You can call National Mindline at 1771. they will guide you closely and go through this with you at your pace. For now, you can slow down a bit.