The Effect of Comparison Anxiety

Comparison anxiety can have a number of negative effects on your life. There have been several studies which have explored the effects of the condition. While some are more obvious, such as depression, others may be surprising. 

Here, we’ll look at the effects of comparison anxiety and how it can impact your life.

Contributing Towards Other Mental Health Conditions

Comparison anxiety by itself can be difficult enough to deal with. However, it can also lead to other mental health conditions.

If left untreated, comparison anxiety can lead to depression. This is because it can cause significant issues with self-esteem. The more you compare yourself negatively to others, the more it will impact your state of mind.

Alongside depression, comparison anxiety can also lead to other forms of anxiety. These include generalized and social anxiety. 

Poor Sleep

Another thing you’re going to notice is that you find it harder to get enough sleep. Anxiety can really interrupt the sleep cycle. It could be racing thoughts keeping you awake, making it harder to fall asleep. This is especially true for those who check their social media accounts in bed.

You may also find it harder staying asleep. Anxiety disorders can cause significant disruption to the natural sleep cycle. When you are having trouble sleeping, it leads to increased stress and fatigue. This in turn can cause comparison anxiety to worsen.

Feelings of Low Self-Worth

One of the most common effects of comparison anxiety is feelings of low self-worth. It can really damage your self-esteem, making you feel like you aren’t worthy of happiness or success.

It is these feelings of low self-worth which can lead to other mental health conditions such as depression. It can also impact the choices you make in life. For example, if you don’t feel worthy of love, you may subconsciously choose unhealthy relationships.

In severe cases, it can cause you to detach yourself from the outside world. You may not want to go out and face people, or you may find it really difficult to make or maintain friendships. When you have feelings of low self-worth, it really stops you from leading a happy, fulfilled life.

It Increases Stress

Comparison anxiety can also lead to increased stress levels. The trouble with this is that excessive stress can negatively impact practically every aspect of your life. It can increase the severity of mental health issues, making it difficult to function during the day, and over time it can lead to physical issues.

If you notice you have a lot of daily stress, it is crucial to find ways to relieve it. By getting it under control, you’ll have better control over your anxiety.

These are just some of the ways that comparison anxiety can affect you. As you can see, it can affect both your mental and your physical health. The longer you leave it untreated, the worse the effects will be. So, pay attention to the signs of the condition and know when to reach out for help.