When someone snaps at you, they might be stressed. If they withdraw, they could be anxious.

That’s communication 101.

Yet, it’s not always so straightforward. Especially when it comes to those who internalize stress and anxiety. These individuals often display behaviors that go unnoticed or misunderstood.

Many of us may even be these individuals, unknowingly carrying around our stress, cloaked behind eight common behaviors.

Welcome to the intriguing world of human behavior. 

Let’s dive in and learn more about these behaviors we might be exhibiting without even realizing it.

1) Overthinking is their constant companion

Have you ever found yourself stuck in a loop of thoughts, every minor detail spiraling into a whirlwind of what-ifs and worst-case scenarios?

Well, for those who internalize stress and anxiety, this isn’t a once-in-a-blue-moon occurrence. It’s their everyday reality.

Overthinking is like their shadow, always present, sometimes faint, sometimes overwhelming. They scrutinize every word, every action, every silence, creating narratives in their heads that may not even exist.

It’s as if they’re proofreading their life, but instead of finding and correcting errors, they’re anticipating them. They’re perpetually on edge, waiting for a catastrophe that might never come.

This constant overanalysis? It’s not just about being thorough or careful; it’s a sign of internalized stress and anxiety. And it’s the first behavior on our list to look out for.

2) Sleep eludes them

I remember this one night, lying awake in my bed, staring at the ceiling. The clock on my bedside table read 2:33 am. My mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, worries, and anxieties that refused to be silenced.

Even though my body was begging for sleep, my mind was wide awake. It was as if it had gone rogue, refusing to shut down despite the late hour.

That’s the thing with people who internalize stress and anxiety – sleep often becomes an elusive concept for us. It’s not that we don’t want to sleep; it’s more that we can’t.

Our minds are too busy processing, analyzing, and worrying over every little thing. And as much as we’d love to switch them off and drift into a peaceful slumber, it often feels like an impossible task.

So, if you find yourself frequently battling insomnia or restless nights, it might be one of the signs that you’re internalizing stress and anxiety. Trust me; I’ve been there.

3) Their diet often fluctuates

Did you know that stress and anxiety can have a significant impact on your eating habits? It’s true.

When you’re internalizing these emotions, your body goes into a fight-or-flight mode, which can either suppress your appetite or make you reach for comfort food.

One minute, they might be indulging in a tub of ice cream, and the next, they may not have the appetite to even look at food. This erratic pattern isn’t just about cravings or lack of self-control.

It’s about their body’s response to stress. It’s about their internal struggle that manifests itself in their outward behavior. If you notice this pattern in yourself or someone else, it could be a sign of internalized stress and anxiety.

4) They’re constantly fatigued

Ever had one of those days where you’re just bone-tired, even though you haven’t done anything particularly strenuous? That’s a common occurrence for people who internalize stress and anxiety.

Their minds are always on overdrive, always processing, always worrying. It’s like running a marathon, but inside their heads. And just like how physical exhaustion follows a real marathon, mental exhaustion follows this mental race.

Even when they’re sitting still, their minds are working overtime, and that can be incredibly draining. They might often complain about feeling tired or might seem low on energy.

And it’s not because they’re lazy or unfit. It’s because their minds are wearing them out.

So, constant fatigue, despite adequate rest? That’s another sign to watch out for.

5) They tend to avoid social gatherings

I’ve always been a bit of a social butterfly. But there were times when the thought of attending a social gathering made me feel more exhausted than excited.

It wasn’t that I didn’t want to see my friends or enjoy a good party. It’s just that, sometimes, the prospect of being around people, with their questions and their expectations, felt overwhelming.

That’s something many people who internalize stress and anxiety experience. We might avoid social events not because we’re antisocial but because our stress and anxiety make these situations feel daunting.

We worry about saying the wrong thing, about not fitting in, about being judged.

And sometimes, it just feels easier to avoid these situations entirely. If you find yourself frequently cancelling plans or preferring to be alone, it might be a sign that you’re internalizing stress and anxiety.

6) They often come across as calm and composed

It’s a common belief that people who are stressed or anxious are always jittery or nervous. But that’s not always the case. Especially for those who internalize their stress and anxiety.

In fact, they often appear to be the calmest people in the room. They’ve become so good at suppressing their emotions, at keeping their worries to themselves, that it’s hard to tell what’s really going on in their minds.

They might seem relaxed, even indifferent at times, but underneath that calm exterior, a storm might be raging. So don’t be fooled by appearances. If someone seems unusually calm, it might just be a mask hiding their internalized stress and anxiety.

7) They’re perfectionists

Perfectionism isn’t just about striving for excellence or being meticulous. For those who internalize stress and anxiety, it often stems from a deep-seated fear of failure or judgment.

They might spend hours refining a presentation, rechecking an email, or rehearsing a conversation.

Not because they want to but because they feel they have to. They’re constantly worried about making mistakes, about not meeting expectations, which drives them to obsess over every little detail.

This incessant need to get everything right, to leave no room for error? That’s not just perfectionism; it’s a sign of internalized stress and anxiety.

If you find yourself or someone else constantly striving for perfection, it might be worth having a closer look at what’s driving this behavior.

8) They’re highly self-critical

The harshest critic of a person who internalizes stress and anxiety is often themselves. They tend to hold themselves to impossibly high standards and beat themselves up when they fall short.

They’re always questioning their actions, their words, their choices. Always wondering if they could’ve done better, if they should’ve done differently. 

This constant self-doubt and self-criticism isn’t just about humility or striving for improvement. It’s about their internalized stress and anxiety gnawing at their self-esteem.

It’s perhaps the most telling sign and the one that causes the most harm. And it’s the one we need to address most urgently of all.

Understanding is the first step

Recognizing these behaviors in ourselves or in those around us is the first step towards understanding and addressing the internalized stress and anxiety.

Remember, just as a manuscript goes through multiple drafts before it reaches its final form, so do we as individuals. It’s okay to have imperfections, to feel stressed or anxious. What’s important is that we acknowledge these feelings rather than suppress them.

If you see yourself or someone else in these behaviors, remember – it’s not a flaw or a failing. It’s a call for understanding, for patience, for compassion.

And most importantly, remember that you’re not alone in this journey. There are resources available, professionals who can help navigate through this dense fog of stress and anxiety.

Let’s make an effort to understand more, judge less, and create an environment where we can talk about our mental health as easily as we discuss our physical health.

After all, it’s only when we acknowledge the existence of a problem can we take steps to solve it.