Are we anxious because we are too self-aware?

My alarm goes off and my body is already bracing, like the day started without me. I don't even have a clean name for it. I just know it keeps running the day. I know the thought isn't dangerous. Knowing and feeling are on different delays. I figured if anyone would get it, it would be people here. I don't need a perfect answer. Even a small thing that made the next day easier would help.

Peer discussion on askDr.app. Not therapy and not a substitute for professional care.

49

6

883

6 comments

Log in to comment.

u/kind_to_myself 3mo ago
I think so. The higher the self-monitoring, the more material the brain has to catastrophize with.
14
- u/nora_klein 3mo ago
  Did you figure that out on your own or with someone helping you?
  5
u/inbox_anxiety 3mo ago
Anxiety and intelligence are correlated. Make of that what you will.
8
- u/aisha_r 3mo ago
  That last line landed. I'm going to sit with it.
  3
u/ben_okonkwo 3mo ago
The 3 a.m. version of my brain is a terrible narrator. Daytime me has to clean up after it.
2
- u/aisha_r 3mo ago
  Yeah. The body gets there before the story does.
  1