Millions of Americans are diagnosed with some form of anxiety every year, while likely even more suffer symptoms without treatment or therapy.
In an effort to bring anxiety awareness — and commiseration — to social media, Twitter influencer Jesse Lifson launched the hashtag campaign #AnxietyMakesMe, now trending on the platform.
“I want to start a hashtag game tonight to help as many people as I can with anxiety. Please include the hashtag #AnxietyMakesMe before you respond,” Lifson tweeted to his nearly 132,000 followers early on Wednesday morning.
“Lets get out some of our blocks, fears and worries out on here,” he added.
His post brought hundreds of revealing likes, replies and retweets.
One top response reads: “#AnxietyMakesMe believe any social interaction I have I’ve somehow offended someone and I replay entire conversations in my head and it keeps me up at night,” posted by @Itcouldbeme123. “It makes me feel ill at the thought of meeting new people.”
“#AnxietyMakesMe miss out on the present because I’m worrying about the past and the future,” said @tickyree.
“#AnxietyMakesMe kinder because I know what it feels like. And I know I’m not the only one,” said @thenikkidarling.
Even those with seemingly blessed lives — suggested by Twitter’s “blue check” of authenticity — have admitted letting anxiety get the best of them.
“#AnxietyMakesMe come up with excuses as to why I’m constantly cancelling plans, backing out of invites or avoiding leaving the house,” tweeted Darren Hayes, musician and former frontman of early aughts alt-rock group Savage Garden. “When I do, I spend so much time hiding my anxiety I come home exhausted.”
Tens of millions of Americans annually are living with anxiety-related disorders — such as its chronic condition, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) — all of which are associated with overwhelming feelings of worry and apprehension that may interfere with daily activities, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. Anxiety patients also frequently experience irritability, restlessness, insomnia and, in extreme cases, panic attacks and heart palpitations.
Google offers an anxiety “self-assessment” based on the clinically developed GAD-7 screening tool, which includes seven questions exploring the test-taker’s experience with worry, irritability and despair. Those whose results show a concerning level of anxiety are advised to see a doctor for a formal diagnosis.
The trending tag isn’t a pity party. For many, it’s an opportunity to finally get something off their chest, as @mciinis confessed: “AnxietyMakesMe never talk about my anxiety. I hide it all.”