“Am I Just Anxious, or Is This Something More?”
By Ben Rea, LCSW
We all get anxious from time to time. Before a big meeting. After a hard conversation. When something unknown is looming.
That kind of anxiety is human. It’s our body’s way of preparing for the unpredictable. But what happens when anxiety stops being occasional—and starts feeling like a constant undercurrent?
I hear it all the time:
“I’m just stressed.”
“It’s probably nothing.”
“I just need to push through.”
Sometimes that’s true. But often, especially in high-functioning adults, anxiety is quietly shaping everything—our sleep, our focus, our relationships—without us realizing it.
When Anxiety Crosses the Line
Here’s the thing: anxiety isn’t always panic attacks and racing thoughts. Sometimes it’s:
Constant second-guessing
Restlessness or irritability
Trouble falling asleep—or waking up wired at 3 AM
Tight chest or shallow breathing with no clear reason
Feeling like your mind never shuts off
Overplanning, overperforming, overfunctioning
The National Institute of Mental Health lists clear diagnostic criteria—but many people fall into a gray zone. They’re functioning… but it’s costing them energy, presence, and peace.
If you feel like you’re doing “fine” on the outside but feel worn thin on the inside, that’s a red flag worth listening to.
The Nervous System Isn’t Broken—It’s Overworking
Anxiety is not a personal flaw. It’s often a nervous system running in survival mode—constantly scanning for threats, trying to stay ahead, never quite letting down.
You might be thinking: I don’t have trauma. My life’s not that bad.
But anxiety doesn’t wait for catastrophe. It can develop from chronic stress, childhood patterns, perfectionism, or simply trying to keep everything together for too long without rest.
Therapy helps by:
Calming the nervous system
Increasing self-awareness
Rewiring unhelpful thinking patterns
Building real tools for grounding, clarity, and resilience
Here’s how I support clients dealing with anxiety.
Signs It’s Time to Talk to Someone
You don’t need a crisis to start therapy. If you’re wondering whether anxiety might be “something more,” ask yourself:
Do I feel like I can’t fully relax—even when things are going okay?
Am I physically tense or exhausted most of the time?
Do small things feel disproportionately overwhelming?
Is my anxiety affecting how I show up at work, home, or with others?
Do I rely on distraction, caffeine, or perfectionism just to get through the day?
If you answered yes to more than one, it’s worth talking to someone. Even just one conversation can bring relief—and a sense that you’re not alone.
What Therapy Can Do (That Google Can’t)
Reading about anxiety can help. But therapy makes it personal. In session, you’ll learn to:
Identify your anxiety triggers and patterns
Reconnect with your body (where anxiety often lives)
Build daily tools for calm, confidence, and choice
Shift from "coping" to genuine ease and clarity
Whether you’re burned out, overwhelmed, or just tired of trying to “fix it yourself,” therapy offers a new way forward.
Reach Out
You don’t have to figure this out alone. And you’re not “too sensitive” or “too functional” to need support.
Or call 805-903-2604
We’ll take it one step at a time—from wherever you are.
