Feeling Anxious

Having anxiety, I regularly tend to feel anxious.
I've been asked if it's excessive or extreme worry or stress, but no, it's not.
It's anxiety, it's very different.

Right now, I'm feeling particularly anxious. When I say this to a person without anxiety, they assume I'm feeling worried or stressed, which isn't the case.

I feel like there's something massive weighing my chest down. I'm making a conscious effort to breathe, because if I don't, I will forget to do so. I feel as if a snake is making its way up my throat, trying to twist my oesophagus while its head rests on the back of my tongue.
My head is spinning. It goes from one thought to the next and back again in a couple of seconds. My mind is transfixed on one thing that I'm anxious on, and I know that anxiety is making me think it's worse than it is. (Or is it? I don't know.)
My senses are heightened. Every noise is irratating, and I can feel things through just a brush of a finger.
My whole body is tense. I'm sitting in an awkward position, my hands firmly grasping my phone, my legs stiff against each other, my feet curled up. I feel sick.
I feel the need to run away. I'm scared. Anxiety throws a lot of fear my way. Adrenaline is pumping, my fight or flight system is screaming at me, and I feel like sobbing because no matter what I do, I can't run away from a situation.

This isn't just excessive stress or worry, it's anxiety. It's a disorder I live with every single day. And when Becky acts up (see dear Becky series), this is what I feel like.

~~~
What are your experiences with anxiety?
I write a new blog post every week, so check back to keep updated ^-^
Facebook; justaoifethings
Twitter; @justaoifethings
Instagram; justaoifethings