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We asked what’s your anxiety what if, and you guys delivered. Let’s take a look at the type of anxiety what if moments every warrior has, and hopefully by the end of this article, you’ll feel slightly less alone – and less crazy than what you did when you first started reading.
What is an Anxiety What If?
Anxiety is one of those things that plagues your mind with many “what if moments” – what if this happens, what if this doesn’t happen, what if I don’t do this properly, what if I look funny, what if, what if, what if.
However, it isn’t the anxiety what if that’s the worst; it’s the way those toxic thoughts make you feel afterward.
Incompetent.
Hopeless.
Broken.
But what you’re about to find out is that you are not alone. Your anxiety what if moments aren’t crazy. We all experience them.
How to Overcome Anxiety What If Moments
Recognizing that you aren’t crazy and that anxiety what if moments are normal is important; learning how to overcome them is even more so. When your anxiety is forcing you to think about all of the “what ifs” that can happen, it’s crucial to counter those thoughts.
For example:
what if I get sick in public?
So what? People get sick all of the time and even if I did get sick, people are compassionate enough to help me.
What if I freeze up and can’t speak?
It happens. People get nervous. I’ll just take a deep breath and try again.
In most cases, your anxiety is lying to you. I read a statistics somewhere that said 99.9% of anxiety fears don’t ever actually happen.
This is also why I really like the Anxiety Lies program. It’s an online system that literally breaks down the lies your anxiety tells you, and counteracts them with facts. By understanding that your anxiety “what if” moments are likely not going to happen and are lies, you’re able to learn coping methods that’ll help you counteract those thoughts.
46 Anxiety What If Moments Every Warrior Goes Through
We asked you what your biggest anxiety what if was, and you delivered. Let’s take a look at what many other anxiety warriors go through in their mind during those anxious moments. Chances are, you’ll find many answers that you can relate to.
1. “What if my heart gives out this time during an attack and I die?”
2. “What if I should’ve kept fighting but I gave up?”
3. What if I could have made a difference in their life?”
4. “What If I’m not loved?”
5. “What if I never get better.”
You will. There are hundreds of different things you can implement into your life to get better. The key is to not give up.
6. “What if I can’t go back to work, move out of my mom’s house and get married?”
This is a common fear for anxiety warriors, as our mind has convinced us that because of anxiety, we are not worthy or capable of achieving great things. You fear that you’ll never be able to work which means you’ll have no money, thus are unable to move out and no one will want you.
You have to remember that there are so many things you can do to overcome anxiety. There are also so many jobs you can now do online, which may help to lessen the fear.
7. What if my mom, dad or boyfriend dies?”
8. “What if I have no support and get in a panic spiral that lasts forever?”
The panic always ends. Remember that.
9. “What if I die in my sleep and my daughter is left behind?”
10. “What if I don’t make it through this first semester and I’m forced to work a job I just tolerate and I struggle with money for the rest of my life?”
You always have the option to make a change. Let’s say you don’t make it through first semester, you can take some time off, improve your mental health and try again. One bad moment does not determine the rest of your life. There is always another chance.
11. “What if I never get married and have kids?”
12. “What if I get diagnosed with (insert whatever awful disease my brain thinks up) and I become a burden to others?”
13. “What if I never graduate from University?”
14. “What if I should’ve kept fighting but I gave up on life?”
15. “What if my life never works out?”
16. “What if I never get better?”
17. “What if I go completely crazy and get stuck there?”
There are so many incredible resources now. The chances of any of us becoming completely crazy and never coming out of that moment is highly unlikely.
18. “What if I faint?”
19. “What if I never recover from my anxiety?”
20. “What if I act on one of the stupid things that comes into my head?”
21. “What if I actually don’t have anxiety and this is just how everyone is and there’s no chance of getting better because I’m ‘normal’?”
22. “What if she rejects me?”
At least you tried and put yourself out there. The right person for you won’t reject you.
23. “What if I leave my bad marriage and end up I a worst one?”
Trust that you have learned from this experience and know what to look for in future relationships. Life (including relationships) are only as bad as we allow them to be.
24. “What if something happens to my kids?”
25. “What if I get sick?”
26. “What if my constant heart palpitations has caused a bad heart condition?”
27. “What if my perspective on love is wrong?”
28. “What if my cut is actually infected?”
Counteract this thought by using an antibacterial cream on your cuts.
29. “What if no one will show up at my birthday party?”
30. “What if I don’t pass my exam?”
You can always try again!
31. “What if they all leave?”
If people leave your life, particularly at your weakest, they weren’t meant to be. Let this encourage you to find your people.
32. “What if I can’t get to sleep?”
33. “What if it’s a serious health issue?”
39. “What if I get into an accident?”
40. “What if I have a panic attack?”
Fearing the panic attack itself is a common anxiety what if moment. I too fear the attack and feelings of panic more than I do anything else. You have to trust that you have the tools needed to overcome these moments.
41. “What if something I can’t control happens?”
42. “What if I never get better?”
43. “What if I said the wrong thing?”
44. “What if I mess up?”
You always have the opportunity to try again. Remember that. So what if you mess up. There’s always another chance.
45. “What if he leaves me?”
46. “What if I regret [whatever decision]?”
To people without anxiety, many of these anxiety what if moments will seem like normal fears. Most people fear something happening to their children or being in a bad relationship or not being able to support themselves. These are normal fears. The difference is that anxiety has taken these fears and increased them by a million. So, try to remember that it’s ok to fear things. In fact, it’s completely normal but it’s up to you to counteract those moments with a positive “what if” outcome.
If you or someone you know is suffering from a mental illness, please encourage them to reach out for help. Better Help offers a 7 Day FREE trial for online therapy.
This blog post is sponsored by BetterHelp online therapy, but all opinions are my own. I may receive compensation from BetterHelp or other sources if you purchase products or services through the links provided on this page.
