One Rarely Talked About Symptom of Anxiety

Do you experience it?

Anxiety is something that many of us have experienced at one time or another. It’s most uncomfortable when your mind races, you can’t sleep, or worse — you have a panic attack. The symptoms of a panic attack can be downright terrifying.

Anxiety affects us in different ways, both physically and mentally. We can feel like we’re having a heart attack during a panic attack. Dealing with anxiety can make us feel alone.

But there’s one symptom I experience most often that isn’t talked about very much.

This symptom refers to the thoughts that swirl around in my head when I am anxious.

Yes, there is a lot of talk about racing thoughts during anxiety. I have that too. My mind doesn’t shut down when I have anxiety.

Personal experience

For example, I remember a particularly bad bout of anxiety. During the attacks, my mind wouldn’t calm down at all. Until I took Ativan. I was nervous about taking medication because I had never done it before, but I needed it. I only took it three times, but it worked. After taking it, my mind and heart were calm again.

BUT in addition to the phenomenon of racing thoughts, there is a related symptom I experience. Maybe you do too.

I call it tunnel vision. Not only does my mind race, but I can’t seem to think of anything but the anxiety-producing situation.

It feels like I’m literally in a dark tunnel with no immediate way out.

This was helpful for me to realize, and maybe it is for you too. Why is that?

Well, when we suddenly start having this tunnel vision when it comes to our thoughts, it’s likely a sure sign that we’re experiencing anxiety.

I don’t always realize when I’m anxious — which might sound crazy — but even subtle tunnel vision can be a sign of anxiety for me.

Now, when my thoughts get like that, a light bulb goes off. I’ve pinpointed what’s wrong. Calling something what it is, is the first step to recovery.

After all, if you don’t know you’re anxious, how can you deal with it?

Another personal experience

I recently experienced an unpleasant situation when I had to return an item. The clerk gave me the wrong refund and when I pointed it out, dismissed me. The encounter left me completely upset and I went home immediately afterwards. I hadn’t planned such a short shopping trip, but my mind was so focused on what had happened that I couldn’t think of anything else.

It wasn’t until I was on my way home that I realized what was happening. Anxiety at its best — or rather at its worst. The realization didn’t immediately calm my mind, but it helped me to know what was going on. That knowledge alone helped calm my mind a little. When my husband came home, I told him about the situation and that helped too.

Calling it out for what it is and telling someone about it goes a long way to break that tunnel vision.

Not only did I eventually get out of that mindset, but I also dealt with it by contacting the store’s head office. They apologized for my experience and sent me a gift card to make up the difference. I was finally able to put the situation behind me.

If you’re prone to anxiety and experience the same kind of tunnel vision, perhaps my experience will help you in the future.

If you find that you can’t focus on anything other than the situation you’re worried about, feel free to call it what it is — anxiety. Then try to find someone to talk to.

You can also do something else to take your mind off the situation. Going for a walk outside or engaging in some kind of self-care routine can also help. If you’ve dealt with this, you may have other ways to cope. Feel free to share them in the comments.

The point is, when tunnel vision hits, you’re not helpless, even though anxiety lies and tells you that you are. There is a way out and you will find the light again. Just like I did after my unpleasant shopping experience.

Anxiety is universal and affects us all at one time or another. If it doesn’t regularly affect you, it might affect someone you love. Perhaps this information will help you help them or at least help you understand where they’re coming from.

If someone can’t get an anxiety-provoking situation out of their mind, you might wish they’d just get over it. That’s perfectly natural. But if you realize they’re dealing with anxiety, you might feel more compassion for them. Even if it’s not something you experience on a regular basis.

So, you see, this tunnel vision symptom of anxiety is good to be aware of. It helps the person suffering from it and helps their loved ones understand them better.

I hope this article has shed some light on the subject of anxiety and has given you some concrete steps to take if you fall prey to the symptoms of tunnel vision.

I also hope it has made you feel more understood. Because it’s not a symptom I’ve heard too many people talk or write about. And awareness is key. That’s why I’ve taken this opportunity to write about a lesser-known symptom of anxiety.

Would you like a free chapter of my book Stop Settling When It Comes to Love: Wise Dating Practices for Women? Perhaps you’d rather visit my YouTube channel, ArtStrings, where I share my progress on the violin and other creative endeavors.