Anxiety is an emotion everyone experiences at one time or another.
However, for some people, anxiety manifests more frequently and intensely, often affecting everyday activities and relationships.
While occasional worry is a normal part of life, people who are more anxious than the average person tend to display a unique set of behaviors and responses that can sometimes go unnoticed.
Psychological research has shed light on the subtle signs of anxiety that some may not even realize they exhibit.
If you recognize these behaviors in yourself, it could indicate that you experience anxiety more intensely than most.
Here are ten signs that you’re more anxious than the average person, according to psychology.
1. Airplane Turbulence Sets You on Edge
For many, airplane turbulence is just a minor inconvenience—a brief disturbance in the otherwise smooth flow of air travel.
But for highly anxious people, it’s a source of serious stress.
If you find yourself gripping the armrest during the slightest bump in the air or playing out worst-case scenarios in your mind, you’re not alone.
Many anxious individuals feel a loss of control in situations like turbulence, which fuels their anxiety.
It’s not uncommon to resort to calming mantras or deep breathing exercises during a flight, repeating phrases like, “Turbulence is a matter of comfort, not safety,” to ease the mind.
According to experts, turbulence is simply a change in airflow, often due to weather conditions or varying wind speeds.
Understanding this doesn’t always alleviate the fear, but it helps to put things in perspective.
2. You Leave Extra Time to Get Anywhere
Are you someone who leaves hours of buffer time before appointments, events, or even casual get-togethers?
If so, it may be a sign of heightened anxiety.
While most people aim to be punctual, highly anxious individuals tend to leave much more time than necessary, ensuring they won’t be late. Even if it means sitting in the parking lot for half an hour.
The fear of being late triggers stress about unforeseen obstacles like traffic jams, subway delays, or unexpected detours.
This is a common anxiety response, driven by the need to avoid any situation that could potentially cause stress.
Over-preparing becomes a way to cope with the uncertainty and regain a sense of control.
3. Meeting New People Feels Like a Challenge
For many anxious individuals, meeting new people is a major source of stress.
It’s not just the small talk or superficial interactions that cause discomfort—it’s the fear of saying the wrong thing, being judged, or oversharing personal information.
These fears can make social situations feel overwhelming and exhausting.
Anxious people often replay conversations in their minds, worrying about how they were perceived or whether they made a good impression.
Social anxiety can also make it difficult to engage in spontaneous conversations, as the mind is preoccupied with potential missteps or awkward moments.
Over time, anxious individuals may begin to avoid new social encounters altogether, choosing familiarity over the uncertainty of meeting someone new.
4. You Procrastinate Despite Feeling Anxious
Anxiety and procrastination often go hand in hand.
While it may seem counterintuitive, highly anxious people frequently procrastinate, especially when faced with tasks that feel overwhelming.
This behavior is rooted in the fear of failure or making mistakes, leading to avoidance rather than action.
The irony is that procrastination only heightens anxiety.
As the deadline approaches, the pressure builds, leading to a last-minute scramble to complete the task.
Anxious individuals often swear they’ll never procrastinate again, but the cycle repeats itself, with the anxiety fueling both the avoidance and the stress.
5. You Constantly Self-Diagnose Your Health Issues
If you’re someone who regularly turns to Dr. Google to diagnose every minor ache and pain, it could be a sign that your anxiety levels are higher than average.
Many anxious people are prone to health-related worries, often jumping to the worst possible conclusion when it comes to their symptoms.
A headache could be a brain tumor, a stomachache could be cancer—no matter how minor the symptom, the anxious mind fixates on the worst-case scenario.
Health anxiety, sometimes referred to as hypochondria, is a common manifestation of general anxiety.
While some worry is normal, constant self-diagnosis can lead to unnecessary stress and panic.
According to surveys, a significant portion of the population turns to online resources to diagnose medical conditions, but for anxious individuals, this habit can become obsessive and draining.
6. Unanswered Texts Make You Think the Worst
We’ve all experienced the frustration of sending a text message and not getting an immediate response.
But for highly anxious people, that frustration quickly turns into dread.
“Are they mad at me?” “Did I say something wrong?” “What if something terrible happened to them?”
These thoughts start to spiral when messages go unanswered, feeding into anxiety.
The dreaded “We need to talk” message or ambiguous text exchanges can trigger intense worry for anxious individuals.
Overanalyzing texts, replaying previous conversations, and anticipating negative outcomes are all signs of heightened anxiety.
An anxious mind thrives on uncertainty, and unanswered messages become the perfect breeding ground for spiraling thoughts.
7. You Make a Great Backseat Driver
Anxiety often manifests as a need for control, and nowhere is this more evident than when you’re in the passenger seat of a car.
If you find yourself offering unsolicited advice to the driver.
Whether it’s to slow down, check blind spots, or avoid certain routes—you might be more anxious than you realize.
Backseat driving is a common trait among anxious people because it allows them to feel like they’re regaining some semblance of control over an inherently unpredictable situation.
When you’re not the one driving, you may feel powerless, and anxiety takes over, leading you to provide “helpful” (though often unwelcomed) driving tips.
8. Confrontation is Your Worst Nightmare
Confrontation is difficult for many people, but for anxious individuals, it can feel unbearable.
Highly anxious people tend to avoid face-to-face conflicts at all costs, preferring to resolve issues via email, text, or not at all.
The thought of having a difficult conversation—whether it’s with a partner, friend, or coworker—can trigger intense feelings of dread.
Anxious individuals often fear the worst-case scenario in confrontational situations: being misunderstood, escalating the conflict, or being rejected.
As a result, they may suppress their true feelings or avoid addressing issues altogether, which only compounds their anxiety in the long run.
9. You Obsessively Save Money for the Future
Anxiety about the future, especially financial security, is common among anxious individuals.
If you’re someone who meticulously tracks your expenses, obsessively checks your bank account, or saves money even when it’s not immediately necessary, you may be more anxious than the average person.
Financial anxiety often stems from a fear of not having enough money to handle unexpected emergencies or secure a stable future.
Anxious people may worry about losing their job, facing sudden expenses, or not being able to retire comfortably.
This anxiety can lead to excessive saving, which, while financially responsible, is often driven by a deep-seated fear of financial instability.
10. You Overthink Every Decision
Overthinking is a hallmark of anxiety. Whether it’s a major life choice or a minor decision, anxious individuals tend to second-guess themselves at every turn.
They worry about making the wrong choice, disappointing others, or facing unforeseen consequences.
This constant rumination can lead to decision paralysis, where even simple choices become overwhelming.
Anxious people often seek reassurance from others before making decisions, as they fear being solely responsible for the outcome.
However, this reassurance-seeking behavior only provides temporary relief, and the cycle of overthinking continues.
Conclusion
If you recognize any of these behaviors in yourself, it may indicate that you experience anxiety more intensely than others.
While anxiety can be overwhelming, it’s important to remember that it’s a natural human emotion.
Understanding your triggers and recognizing the signs of anxiety is the first step toward managing it more effectively.
Whether it’s through mindfulness practices, therapy, or other coping strategies, there are ways to reduce the impact of anxiety on your daily life.
While these signs may indicate that you’re more anxious than the average person, they also show that you are self-aware and capable of understanding your emotional landscape—an essential skill in learning to manage anxiety.
By acknowledging these traits and seeking support when necessary, you can take control of your anxiety and live a more balanced, less stressful life.
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