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Is it normal to feel more anxious when you're alone?

307 Answers
Last Updated: 04/17/2022 at 6:09pm
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Top Rated Answers
Anonymous
November 11th, 2020 3:59pm
Personally I believe it is. It's incredibly hard when I'm alone to clear my thoughts and get rid of all that anxiety, and sometimes I just can't. I struggle with falling asleep at night because of this and I'm sure I am not the only one. Anxiety can be a real jerks sometimes. Normally I listen to music or something to distract myself, but sometimes that's not something I can do so I distract myself with hobbies. My parents don't seem to think that is a good idea and take them all away. They think I need to deal with the voices in my head without distractions to make things easier on me. I'm not so sure.
Birog
November 12th, 2020 6:23pm
Absolutely! When I'm alone, it's easy to get "trapped" into ruminating. Sometimes we think about prior social interactions, things we've done, and/or relationships and we consider what could have done better. Could I have said the wrong thing? Did I miss an important social cue? What is this person thinking about me since I did or said this *wrong* thing? Could I have done a better job on this project? A lot of "what ifs" tend to pop up when I'm alone, too. What if this goes wrong, or my health declines, or I get into a car accident. How will I cope? These, to me, are all normal ruminations that can be combatted with CBT methods and being kind to ourselves.
Anonymous
November 18th, 2020 12:39pm
Yes, it is normal to feel more anxious when alone. Sometimes talking to someone or having someone watch your back can relieve some stress. Feeling anxious is normal. No one should ever feel like hiding their anxiety because almost everyone experiences some form of it anyways. That's why it is important to talk to someone you trust or find a professional. Being alone, whether it be living alone, feeling lonely, or feeling isolated, is anxiety-inducing. In my own experience, I've felt moments of complete isolation. I thought no one would understand how I felt. But that is not true. There is always someone there, and even if they don't understand, they are willing to try.
genesisrose1212
November 26th, 2020 10:01pm
yes. you might have a comfort person or group that you constantly want to have around but during those times when you’re alone, you get that overwhelming anxious fear of the emptiness that surrounds you. sometimes you just need to find something to fill that so the anxiety doesn’t, drawing, music, writing, reading. anything that will draw that anxious feeling away and refresh you. You can only do so much for you. Find that comfort object that takes that anxiety away when you cannot be with your comfort people. once you find that certain place or thing, it will help you so much in the long run. loneliness is anxiety’s partner in crime. do not let it take you over.
Anonymous
November 27th, 2020 8:28am
In my opinion, it's completely normal. We may have been used to being around a lot of people because it makes you feel safe. But when you're alone, you feel like you're being followed and it just never fails to give you the creeps. You just never know when someone's watching you. Though some people may feel normal when they're alone, the danger is still there. It lurks in every corner so we all have to be really careful. Even when you're hanging out in a group, your safety isn't stable as you think it is. Risky things may happen anywhere and anytime. So be careful when you're alone. Look at your back..
Anonymous
December 5th, 2020 7:18am
That makes sense, absolutely. When you're alone, it can feel like there's no one there to protect you if something bad happens, which is scary. Or, sometimes, I find that when I'm alone and there's no one around to distract me from my own mind, it's easier for my thoughts to run wild or spiral down and make me overthink things, which can certainly cause a lot of anxiety. Being alone can really get you stuck inside your head, for sure. Do you feel that you're more anxious when you're alone, or do you think these things are true for you at all?
Anonymous
December 9th, 2020 6:12pm
It is absolutely normal to feel anxious when alone. Often, our friends and family are our support systems. Without them, even little things can be hard to deal with. Loneliness can also be awful to deal with. If you're going through something difficult and need company, try to surround yourself with people you know are going to make you feel better. If that's not possible, though, make sure to be kind to yourself and think about what kind of advice your loved ones would give you. Be brave. Hang in there. Know that everyone experiences fear. Always, your emotions are valid.
comfortablePoetry863
January 3rd, 2021 2:22am
Yes, it is completely normal to feel more anxious when you are alone because people tend to feel like there is no one around to help support them. It really helps to talk to other people who will listen to you. I personally feel anxious at times when I am alone because I feel like there is no one around to understand what I am feeling. This causes me to keep my emotions bottled up which distracts me throughout the day. That is why it is best to reach out to empathetic people around you, so you can help feel calmer.
SoftTouch7777
January 27th, 2021 1:19pm
People can feel lonely even when they are with others. Having autophobia involves severe anxiety triggered by the idea of spending time alone. People may also feel anxious when they are lonely, though this anxiety is less intense than that of autophobia
gracefulDreamer6406
February 6th, 2021 1:26am
Yes. I feel especially anxious when I am alone and when I do feel anxious, I just want to talk to someone I love and trust, or even just have someone sit beside me so I don’t feel so overwhelmed and alone. For me that is my family. I am incredibly grateful I have a loving and supportive family. Even though it may seem even childish to rely so much on my family, I know it is not because there isn’t absolutely nothing wrong with gaining support from people who love you. On the internet, you don’t always see people who talk about relying so much on their family. So this post is for the people that may feel embraced to rely on their family, but trust me, there is absolutely nothing wrong with it at all. Some people just feel happier with their family and there is NOTHING wrong with that.
healthylistener
February 24th, 2021 4:07am
From personal experience I find myself more anxious when I am alone, and especially when I am alone and everybody else is sleeping, so there is nobody to talk to. I believe that because of this, it is important for people to have a huge toolbox to reach into to be able to feel their feet on the ground and to know that the mountain isn't going to crash down on them. Anxiety is a sneaky thing in that it just creeps up on you so often without any warning at all. My hope is that people can know that they are not alone in this journey and that anxiety doesn't need to define their entire being.
Anonymous
February 24th, 2021 9:12am
yes i guess it is more normal to feel more anxious when you are alone since you dont have any body with you to distract you from feeling alone of just to distract you at all...distractions help the mind in so many ways thats why TV was a big hit and books are still popular they help take your mind somewhere else away from your current situation into another place a story helps so much so looking for distractions or socializing will help a lot with anxiety when it comes to being alone try to read as much as possible!
Anonymous
February 28th, 2021 7:54pm
Of course! Being alone can put thoughts in your mind, (As in your not loved, hated, or just bring scared in general) which can cause anxiety! So many things cause anxiety, which is A okay! Sometimes being alone is stressful, and I tend to find that things like panic attacks and anxiety attacks happen more when you're alone! It's a very normal thing and nobody's alone when they go through this! Having anxiety is normal when you are alone or with people! Anxiety is a scary thing, so never be afraid to contact somebody about your worries! Thanks, ❤️
CheerfulFay8227
March 25th, 2021 9:11am
Yes! We tend to think deep when we are alone. When we are with our friends and family, anxiety doesn't easily slip in because we have socializing and activities that take our minds of a lot. Being an introvert, I have seen that the idea of being alone might be amazing, but in true fact, I have a lot of thoughts at that moment and it becomes easier to be anxious. Maybe you are a positive thinker, that is an advantage. If not then you definitely will become anxious. Bad thougts have a negative impact on our emotions. Our brain as well has a connection with the heart. Emotional stress and anxiety work hand in hand. So yes, when we are alone we are more anxious.
DylanletterR
April 4th, 2021 2:36pm
Yes! This is totally normal! When we are alone, most of us will naturally feel more vulnerable and on edge as we only have ourselves to protect us. As an adult, I still feel this way, and I have lived on my own for awhile. If you are looking for a way to better manage these emotions. Think to yourself, "Am I currently at risk for anything to happen to me?" or "What is making me anxious about being alone?" By thinking these phrases to yourself, you are more likely to find the reasons behind your anxiety, whether it be a past situation or just getting used to being alone. Hope this helps!
Anonymous
April 10th, 2021 8:02am
I think that everyone feels anxious over many different things and that when you are left alone those feelings tend to spike. This can be cause of many different things but a main factor being that when you are left alone you have no one’s opinions and thoughts but your own. I find that when I am anxious I tend to use other people as a distraction from my worries and then when I am left alone these worries will then increase as there is a lack of distractions. When you are left alone you can also start to feel lonely which can sometimes be another factor that can spike anxiety.
teri03
April 11th, 2021 12:20pm
It really depends. Someone would feel more anxious when around other people, someone would feel more anxious alone. Both of these are absolutely normal, valid and there´s nothing wrong with the ones feeling this way. The important things is to acknowledge these feelings, realize that they are here, accept them and try to discover where they come from. Anyways acknowledging these feelings is the first and very important step to feel better. We can not fight with something that is not present. Once we know what we live through, we can do something with it and fight with it.
Anonymous
April 21st, 2021 2:07pm
the words "is it normal" are so hard to answer because every person on the planet is different. it's difficult to generalize one feeling for every person out there. Instead of asking someone else if it's normal, try asking yourself is it normal for you. Is this a new occurrence for you? Is it affecting your mental health negatively? You're the only person that knows yourself, so if you feel like this isn't normal for you, then maybe you should seek some professional help. Especially if you notice that it is harming your mental health. So, is it normal for you?
Anonymous
April 22nd, 2021 1:45pm
It is totally normal. When you are alone you don't have as many distractions. So there ends up being a pile up of emotions and feelings that you avoiding. Deadlines, homework assignments, etc. All of them feeling like they are falling on you at the same time. It can extremely difficult to manage them and keep yourself from having anxiety attack. There is also the prospect of missing out on something, or because you are alone the spiral of what did I do wrong, why am I not with these people, do they not like me? It can be extremely difficult but totally normal
Anonymous
May 6th, 2021 6:56am
being alone, even in a usually comforting place like home, can result in severe anxiety for people.. you might feel more anxious alone because there is nothing there to keep you distracted.. feeling anxious when you are alone means your mind is over thinking about alot of things that you're scared of happening.. when you are left alone with your mind, a floodgate is often opened and all kinds of thoughts flow through & some thoughts could cause paranoia & anxiousness.. it is absolutely normal to feel more anxious when you are alone.. it is always important & it always helps, when you have someone with you.. sometimes the comfort of a caring person who will listen to you is enough to relieve you.. because it feels good to be heard and acknowledged & cared for by someone.. that’s why it's a good idea to surround yourself around supportive family and/or friends when you're feeling low..
Believer1037
May 12th, 2021 11:01pm
In my experience it's normal to feel anxious in pretty much any circumstance, and yes most definitely when you're alone. Being alone can exacerbate anxiety because there is no other presence to connect with and distract you from your emotions. I think connection is the most important combatant to anxiety, and this includes the presence of animals. I don't think we're alone when we have pets, or animal friends (I'm thinking of birds and other little critters who visit people and then go about their lives). I also think that being in connection with others through devices, counts as not being alone. So many of us are alone at the moment due to the Covid19 situation. Connecting with others through texts, calls and video calls is so important. It is normal to feel more anxious when you're alone, but there will always be someone in the world who wants to connect to you.
hopefulArrow2212
May 29th, 2021 5:12am
Sometimes being alone makes us think about many things and if we are not doing anything or already subconsciously stressed by other things that happened during the day or week, all that will add up and make us anxious. But anxiousness is a totally valid and common feeling. So do not feel abnormal about it! Just find something to do and focus on which you enjoy, listen to something soothing like ambient music, meditation, a cd you love, do your hobbies, just find something to focus on. Or call someone you trust to talk out your feelings to! Remember if you do not have someone to turn to, 7 Cups community is also here for you 24/7 with both regular listeners and professionals.
Anonymous
May 29th, 2021 6:15pm
yes mild anxiety is normal, It is what allows us to be productive such as studying, working or excelling in anything. Mild anxiety allows us to learn and stay motivated as long as the anxiety is under control. Learning to cope with anxiety can be easier for some people more than others. The important thing is to learn to live with your anxiety and work with it. Being alone may be more anxious for some people than others. If you start experiencing severe or panic anxiety than you may want to talk to a medical professional that may be able to help
majesticLight70
June 5th, 2021 12:13pm
Hello there, I will try and help the best I can, I do have personal experience with anxiety. If you feel you may be becoming more anxious when alone try to think about what type of thoughts are entering your mind at the time, being alone gives us a large amount of time to ruminate over things we experienced in our past, things affecting our current life and even things that have not yet happened. If you feel it is becoming more of an issue for you at this present time it often helps speaking to a trusted family member/friend/or other but I must say that what works for some people will not work for others so please bare in mind. I hope I have been able to help in answering your question. Please take care!
2Daton2
July 14th, 2021 7:37pm
Definitely. When I am alone, I have less distractions and more time to think. If I have something that is already causing me stress or anxiety, being alone can give my brain that time to further think, and then I end up spiralling! I find continual distraction is the best way round it, walking outside, or doing something I enjoy to give my mind something else to think about, failing that calling, face-timing a friend and talking about how I feel helps too!. I know all too fondly how anxiety can creep up, and the best way to deal with it is for sure... distracting yourself, but also being kind to yourself too. :)
Anonymous
July 28th, 2021 1:10pm
Yes, it is normal. Because when you're alone, your mind becomes more focused on what happened in the past; and also what could happen in the future. The mind starts deconstructing and analyzing all the "what-if's" and "what-could-have-been's." And if you had been exposed to a toxic and abusive relationship (whether filial or romantic), your mind tends to replay the day's events (or the week's events); Probably just to see if there's some clues there that would warrant the need to protect yourself from some hurtful event or injury in the future. In short, your mind becomes more active when you are alone than when you are with people.
Amy890
August 18th, 2021 2:04pm
Yes, some of us are not well adjusted to spending time on our own, might fear loneliness and facing some more complex emotions that are pushed to the background in the everyday busy life. I believe it's good to spend time on facing them as long as it's manageable and spread time with yourself alone, do things you like and just get used to yourself more, it can be only beneficial. with time it might become easier. I highly recommend dedicating " a day for myself" once a week and taking notes of all the feelings and thoughts to discuss them later with a listener or a therapist
Anonymous
September 2nd, 2021 8:05pm
I believe it is. It's easier to get distracted from our feelings when we're around other people. It forces us to pay attention to other people's emotions, instead of our own. When I'm alone at home, I usually play music out loud or watch TV shows and I noticed it makes me feel less anxious. I think that's because it makes me unaware of my own feelings, just like when I'm with other people. Still, I think it's worth it to spend some time alone to try to understand where my anxiety is coming from and can I do about it!
Anonymous
October 3rd, 2021 10:52pm
Probably. Depending on your past experiences when being without people, sometimes it may feel like having other people there can make you feel safer or more protected than if you were by yourself with nobody else around. I can definitely understand what you're saying, especially if you have very close friends you trust enough to protect you in times where you feel unsafe. You also may have an issue with the fact that there's no noise and it's completely quiet, which is a lot more likely if you're alone by yourself, and if so I totally recommend getting some music or white noise or turning on your air conditioner/fan if you have any of those available to you.
SheListens247
October 13th, 2021 8:20pm
I’d say it’s definitely normal to feel this way, everyone deals with anxiety in their own way, we’re Individual to one another so we may do or feel differently depending on the situation. Loneliness can cause an individual to overthink, maybe worry more and maybe bring a sense of sadness, this could result in struggling with anxiety when being alone. Sometimes individuals feel better having the comfort of others or just by knowing someone’s there. If you have a good support network expressing this may help them see what they could do more to help you feeling so alone.