Wondering if you may be suffering with comparison anxiety? Here, we’ll look at some of the signs of the condition. By understanding what to watch out for, it gives you the opportunity to combat the condition before it worsens.
The Mental Signs
The signs of comparison anxiety are pretty much the same as any anxiety disorder. However, there are a few condition-specific signs to look out for. The main mental signs of comparison anxiety include:
- Feeling depressed or low after using social media
- Being overly critical of yourself
- Constantly wishing you were somebody else
- Dissociation
- Racing thoughts and overthinking
- Worrying about the opinion of others
These are just some of the main mental signs you could be dealing with comparison anxiety. The condition causes the same type of symptoms as other anxiety disorders, only you’ll be more focused on how everyone else is living, constantly comparing your life to theirs.
The Physical Signs
Anxiety tends to show itself in a number of ways. When you are dealing with comparison anxiety, you may also experience some physical symptoms. These include:
- Heavy, fast breathing
- Sweating
- Lack of energy
- Stomach aches and headaches
- Hair loss
The physical signs of comparison anxiety tend to develop over time. Hair loss tends to occur when you are overly stressed. So, this would be a symptom for those suffering with severe comparison anxiety.
Changes in Behavior
Alongside the mental and physical signs, you’ll also likely notice a change in your behavior. You may start to make choices based upon what other people are doing. As you see people doing well and progressing, you may try to follow their path to achieve that same success.
The trouble is, following somebody else’s path isn’t going to make you happy. It also isn’t guaranteed that even if you follow their exact path, you’ll achieve the same results.
Many people suffering with comparison anxiety also tend to withdraw socially. Over time, the condition can make you feel “less than”, forcing you to feel uncomfortable in social situations. As you begin to withdraw from other people, it can lead to great feelings of loneliness and failure.
As with any type of anxiety, leaving it untreated can cause the condition to worsen. It can develop into severe depression over time. This makes it important to seek treatment when it is needed. If you notice it is starting to take over your life, you may need some level of therapy or medical treatment.
Comparison anxiety is a fairly new type of anxiety. Therefore, there is very little specific information to be found online. The above are some of the main signs to help identify whether you are dealing with the condition. If you are, don’t be afraid to reach out and get help when it is needed.
