How People With Anxiety Stay Calm Under Pressure Stress

Skip navigation!

Begin Slideshow

Photographed by Rochelle Brock.

To some, being a "chill" person with anxiety might sound a bit like an oxymoron. But the truth is, being a calm person and experiencing anxiety are not mutually exclusive.

Sometimes, what looks like being "cool, calm, and collected" may actually be a coping technique to mask the anxiety within. If a friend who always seems "chill" confides in you about a struggle with anxiety, validate their feelings and try to understand where they are coming from — chances are it took a lot for them to share.

We wanted to know what people with anxiety had to say about this, so we asked "chill" people with anxiety from The Mighty's mental health community to share one thing they wish others understood about them.

This story was originally published on The Mighty, a platform for people facing health challenges to share their stories and connect.

If you are experiencing anxiety and are in need of crisis support, please call the Crisis Call Center’s 24-hour hotline at 1-775-784-8090.

More from Mind

TikTok’s Burnt Toast Theory Is All About Embracing Life’s Frustra...

Picture this: You’re making toast in the morning as per your normal routine, only this time, it burns. Maybe you’re distracted, or you set your toaster

by Shaeden Berry

Why Is It So Damn Hard To Keep A Journal?

Welcome to Press Pause. This January, we’re asking: What does self-care look like when it’s not all-or-nothing? What if we simply pr

by Kayleigh Dray

How to Set Intentions in 2024, According to Your Zodiac Sign

It’s the start of a new year, making it the perfect time to take stock of all that you have, acknowledge your growth from the year before, celebrate

by Daisy Maldonado

I’ve Entered My Boring Era & Couldn’t Be Happier

Welcome to Press Pause. This January, we’re asking: What does self-care look like when it’s not all or nothing? What if we simply pressed pause here

by L'Oréal Blackett

The Rise In Manifestation Sounds Is Causing Chaos For People With...

Twenty-seven-year-old Erica Kathleen regularly finds herself making private TikTok videos in the middle of the night to “manifestation sounds.”

I Got Sweat Botox In An Attempt To Smell Better

My keen vigilance against smelling like body odor follows me around like a cartoon fart cloud. I am assured by people around me that the smell is all in my

by Sadhbh O'Sullivan

33 Gifts To Cheer Someone Up, No Matter The Reason

When you have a friend who’s feeling down, it’s natural to want to cheer them up. Whether you send a small gift that says, “I’m thi

by Charlotte Lewis

5 Splurge-Worthy Purchases To Take Your International Self-Care D...

In case you haven’t heard, Monday, July 24 is International Self-Care Day. The annual holiday is meant to be a subtle reminder to care for your mind,

by Charlotte Lewis

The 14 Best Journals To Inspire You To Put Pen To Page

by Charlotte Lewis

What I Learned During My First 30 Days On Antidepressants

Trigger warning: This article contains references to suicide, which could be triggering to some readers. Welcome to Vibe Check, Unbothered’s wellness col

by Kimber Bowman

Receiving An Autism Diagnosis Has Helped Me Finally Make Sense Of...

I’ve been autistic my whole life, but I didn’t know it until late last year. Truthfully, I went through most of my life never even thinking about autis

I Tried Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation For Depression — Here’s...

My depression is deep. Enough for me to find myself sitting in a chair with a helmet on my head, a magnet delivering electric pulses to my brain. The hope

by Fortesa Latifi

R29 Original Series