November 17th, 2021
We often hear the phrases “I'm nervous,” “I'm stressed,” and “I’m anxious,” but what do these statements actually mean, and what effect do they have on our bodies? For many people living with an anxiety disorder, the impact goes far beyond worry—it can drain energy, disrupt sleep, and lead to constant fatigue. Anxiety is more than just a feeling; it triggers real physical and emotional responses that take a toll on daily life.
Understanding the connection between anxiety and tiredness is an important step toward relief. From recognizing the signs of anxiety to exploring anxiety therapy, medication for anxiety, and other evidence-based treatments, there are many effective ways to manage symptoms and restore balance.
If you’ve been wondering, does anxiety make you tired?, this blog will walk you through why it happens, what you can do about it, and where to find the right support—whether through an anxiety therapist in Chicago, anxiety doctors near you, or a trusted mental health clinic. Let’s get started!
Anxiety is your body’s natural response to stress — a feeling of fear, worry, or unease about something that might happen. While occasional anxiety is normal, ongoing or intense anxiety can interfere with daily life. When it becomes excessive, persistent, and hard to control, it may be diagnosed as an anxiety disorder, a common mental health condition that often requires anxiety treatment like therapy, medication, or other coping strategies.
Yes, anxiety can make you tired. An anxiety disorder can cause a person to experience an array of physical symptoms. As the worry continues to build, the symptoms continue to intensify as well. Once the stress is gone, the symptoms will begin to stop, leading to the feeling of physical or emotional exhaustion.
Living with an anxiety disorder often means your body and mind are stuck in a heightened state of alertness, which places both mental and physical strain on you. This constant “fight-or-flight” response can leave you feeling drained even without much physical activity.
Being in tune with your body and understanding what it is telling you is important. After a long day of work, many of us are guilty of ignoring our bodies when our feet or entire body aches. We go straight to helping our kids, making dinner, or continuing to a second job while trying to ignore the signs.
The first step is to stop ignoring our bodies and listen. Self-care is crucial and can be as simple as taking 5 to 10 minutes between each task to reset your body. Some examples are:
If we implement tools like these throughout our day, we may not feel as exhausted.
Another great tool to use when dealing with anxiety is to stop fighting your emotions. Accept the feelings and thoughts that are present, be kind to yourself, and breathe. Half of the buildup comes from the anticipation of the unwanted sensations and the fight to control the anxiety. The more we fight the more anxious we feel, so stop fighting what our body wants to do and instead find tools to help relieve the stress and anxiety.
If you also find yourself in a car while experiencing these overwhelming emotions, always stay on the side of caution and pull over to a safe area to stop and allow yourself to reset.
Therapy is a great tool to use because you get a space to express any emotions and feelings without fear of judgment. Your anxiety therapist can also give you tools tailored to you to help with your anxiety.
Anxiety and trauma are two different experiences, but it does not mean you cannot experience both. When you experience complex trauma (more than one traumatic experience), you will likely be in constant survival mode. When in this state you are always on high alert and anxiously waiting for the trauma to occur again, and when one finally feels safe, they will collapse from exhaustion.
That is not always the case, though. Many people who experience trauma may also have the inability to fall asleep or even stay asleep due to nightmares, insomnia, or fragmented rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Sleep is essential for healthy functioning, therefore if you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please consult with your doctor.
When asked the difference between feeling nervous and feeling anxious, most individuals believe they are the same. To their surprise, there is, in fact, a difference. When a person is nervous, they may experience physical symptoms like:
Being nervous is a common reaction to a new or stressful event, like taking an exam, public speaking, or a job interview. However, these feelings subside after the event occurs.
Anxiety is different in the sense that it can present as a variety of symptoms. People with anxiety disorders may encounter any of the following symptoms:
One may experience a few or even all symptoms of anxiety. The main difference between feeling nervous or anxious is the avoidance factor and the feeling of tiredness. Generally, symptoms do not go away after the stress-inducing event. In most cases, they will continue well after the event and can impact how you function in your daily life.
Struggling with constant worry, poor sleep, or exhaustion from anxiety? We offer comprehensive anxiety treatment designed to help you feel like yourself again. From anxiety management strategies and therapy sessions to safe and effective anxiety medication, our experienced psychiatrists and providers create personalized plans that fit your needs.
Not sure where to start? Take our free anxiety test to get a better understanding of your symptoms and guided next steps you can take depending on your score. You can also book a consultation with one of our psychiatrist, providers, or anxiety therapists near you and get the anxiety help you deserve.
Whether you’ve been wondering “how to get rid of anxiety” for a while, or simply want support from a trusted mental healthcare professional, Clarity Clinic is here to guide you in your journey
Find anxiety therapy and treatment in the following locations: Loop, River North, Lakeview Broadway, Lakeview Belmont, Evanston, and Arlington Heights.
Book a ConsultationFor some, weekly therapy alone isn’t enough to manage the overwhelming symptoms of anxiety. That’s why Clarity Clinic offers specialized IOP (Intensive Outpatient Program) and PHP (Partial Hospitalization Program) options designed to provide more structured support. These evidence-based programs combine therapy, medication management, and coping skills training to help you regain balance and confidence in daily life.
Whether you’re searching for an IOP program near you, PHP treatment, or even flexible online IOP therapy, our team is here to help. Our Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP program) and Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP program) give you access to compassionate care in a supportive environment—without requiring an overnight stay.
If you’ve been looking for a trusted PHP program near you or IOP treatment to take the next step in your recovery, we offer the comprehensive anxiety treatment you need.
Find relief today with Clarity Clinic’s Anxiety Mental Health Programs — because you matter, and so does your mental health.
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Written By: Alexandra Shuman, LSW
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