Experiencing anxious moments can be a good thing. For example, you might be worried about missing your flight, so you decide to leave early. Or you may be anxious about large meetings, so you need to dig deeper into your research to prepare for any questions. However, for thousan

Experiencing anxious moments can be a good thing. For example, you might be worried about missing your flight, so you decide to leave early. Or you may be anxious about large meetings, so you need to dig deeper into your research to prepare for any questions. However, for thousands of people, anxiety is a daily experience that impairs their functioning to the extent that they are unable to meet their work or personal responsibilities, or to the best of their ability. Some people may even need to seek medical attention or seek guidance from a mental health professional to help them cope.

One of the difficult things about anxiety is that intrusive thoughts can stem from real-life traumatic events. Personally, while death is an extreme outcome, anxious people often feel that other intense things would happen in any situation, from texting a coworker they didn't know well to attending a wedding. Anxious people often see the world through the lens of fear, which causes them to use a lot of energy. It's like their battery is constantly being drained, causing them to spend precious resources recharging it.

Here are seven things (in no particular order of importance) that everyone should know and understand about anxiety.

1. Very successful people, such as wealthy people, can also feel anxious.

Many times, anxious people mask their stubborn annoyances by learning and practicing discreet things, and their high levels of achievement leave little trace of self-doubt. Their achievements tell a story of success and painful worry. Because they want others to focus on their outer triumphs, they rarely reveal their inner struggles.

2. In the midst of joyful celebrations, anxiety can overwhelm someone.

It's not uncommon for someone to report feeling anxious at a wedding or graduation party that isn't even their own. While others are actually celebrating, the anxious person can be left hanging in the air over their insecurities or recent interactions. This feeling of vulnerability can make them feel stiff when others join in the conversation.

3. Anxious people will often point to situations where the statistics do favor a positive outcome, however, their reality does not.

The fact that they have personally experienced an unpleasant or traumatic outcome affects their daily experiences from work to play. Simply telling someone "don't worry" can heighten anxiety because that may be what they are told before their worst nightmare becomes a reality.

4. Anxiety can make people feel like they are living on the edge of despair.

When living on the edge emotionally becomes their set point, even thinking about relaxing can be stressful. Not being able to sit down and enjoy things means their body and brain are working overtime. This can lead to physical exhaustion and burnout.

5. Anxious thoughts, such as self-doubt, circulate continuously in the anxiety-ridden mind.

Anxious people cannot simply overturn those thoughts of self-doubt with a simple thought, because fear is often their bottom line. When a non-anxious person has insecurities, a simple mantra or reassurance from a friend that "you got this" can quickly convince them that they can handle the stress. But for people with anxiety, who worry that the spell won't work or that a friend is being dishonest; shifting their mindset can be more challenging.

6. Anxious people think they are liars.

Because faking it until you make it has become the way they operate in personal and professional settings, anxious people can feel like they are not their authentic selves. They hide their anxiety for years, believing that if anyone knew how severe their pain was, they would lose out on certain career advancement opportunities or social invitations would cease.

7. Anxiety can make people feel like they are never good enough.

Despite positive feedback from others, or even external evidence (multiple awards, titles, salary increases), anxious people can feel at any moment that their deep insecurities will be revealed, their relationships (personal (professional, social) will end.They often overcompensate for situations in which they feel they don't fit in, by wearing the "appropriate clothing" or buying or saying things to make them look like they are part of the community.

The minds of anxious people cannot be relieved by simple mindset changes; they often require professional mental health services. Seeking this help is one way to calm your anxious mind and body.