Mental Health Awareness Month: Situational Anxiety

As we enter the month of May, I wanted to spotlight a mental health challenge that is not commonly discussed or recognized as a distinct condition in the mental health field. That condition is situational anxiety. When thinking of anxiety, people often think of more intense or consistent feelings of nervousness and uneasiness related to generalized anxiety disorder. But what if you don't feel anxious regularly, and you only experience these sensations in certain situations. Does that mean that you don't have anxiety or that your feelings of discomfort are unwarranted or silly?

Absolutely Not!

Situational anxiety is often linked to panic attacks. Symptoms can include fear of loss of control, sweating, hyperventilation, chest pain, nausea, and more. I experienced all of these during my first encounter with situational anxiety. I've always experienced non-identifiable night terrors, where I wake up and feel frightened but can't identify why. Well imagine experiencing a night terror thousands of feet in the air, in a confined spaced that you can't escape. That happened to me at the end of last year. I took a very early solo flight home from a stressful work trip, fell asleep on the plane, and woke up terrified. Honestly, the only thing that helped me calm down was hiding in the bathroom and talking to the flight attendant. It was so scary and terrible. I've never loved flying, but I enjoy travel, so I always took flights and have flown alone several times, so this was a new feeling, and I did not like it. When I returned home, I was very sad. I was dreading my upcoming flight and thinking about the fear daily. I reached out to my primary care physician to discuss my options and we created a plan that works for me. But if I hadn't taken that situation so seriously, I wouldn't have known that I have situational anxiety and my life would have gradually become limited by my fear.

If you have experienced something similar, I am the first person to tell you that it does not have to inhibit your life. Situational anxiety can be very distressing. It can occur in a variety of setting including job interviews, travel, and social interactions. However, it is treatable. Along with your doctor, you can explore therapy and medication that can help you navigate this challenge. With assistance, you can slowly expose yourself to your fears, challenge negative thoughts, and develop effective coping mechanisms. Do not suffer alone, do not minimize your feelings, and do not let situational anxiety negatively impact your life. You can regain control, and if you need help along this journey, I'd be happy to help you work through this challenge. Feel free to reach out and keep moving forward!