Are you an introvert who’s always felt nervous, anxious or just worried for no particular reason?
There are people like you in all walks of life who worry about almost anything and everything. You’re not alone. If you’re someone who has embraced their introverted nature, then congratulations!
The first step to finding peace and comfort in life is accepting who you are.
More introverted, more anxiety?
If you think what you’re feeling is unusual, perhaps this will offer you a fresh perspective on everything that’s happening around you and inside you: anxiety is more common among introverted people, compared to extroverts and tends to be present in introverts for some very unique reasons.
For one, introverts are almost always under pressure to behave a certain way because of what’s accepted or what the norm is. They’re often forced to embrace a way of life that isn’t well-suited to their energy levels or even needs. And when you’re constantly forced to act or behave out of your comfort zone – with people pressurising you to behave in a more extroverted way – it’s only a matter of time before you set camp at Mt. Anxiety!
Introversion and anxiety are not to be confused, however
People often use these terms interchangeably, thinking that if you have anxiety, then you’re automatically an introvert and vice versa. They’re not the same thing, you see.
Introversion is preferred by those who prefer a calm, and minimally intrusive or stimulating environment. Introverts enjoy solitude and intimate down-time with close friends and loved ones, or even themselves – rather than huge groups of people or parties. They prefer a slow and steady pace of life where there’s a greater need to focus on themselves.
Now, anxiety is nothing more than excessive worrying, fear and nervousness. It’s the inability to sit still, thinking too much and generally being overwhelmed by feelings of insecurity. It is often accompanied by panic attacks, which can be quite debilitating in some cases.
Do introverts find themselves dealing with anxiety more than extroverts?
Being an introvert, it can be difficult to communicate your thoughts – that’s completely understandable. In contrast, extroverts communicate their thoughts easily and perhaps this is the reason why you’re experiencing that anxiety: internalising all your thoughts, constantly overthinking things, what can or can’t be, etc.
What can introverts do to minimise anxiety?
The more you force yourself to live life in a way you’re not used to, the more anxious you will feel.
While it is good to embrace your introverted side, it’s also a good idea to release that anxiety by not constantly worrying about stuff that may or may not happen. Stop worrying about the future and communicate your thoughts by talking it out with a close friend or therapist. That’s a great place to start.