Pictures that show how anxiety can manifest

“Butterflies in your stomach”

When photographer Anya Anti “opens” up her stomach, she reveals what you can’t see from the outside.

When the world feels like “too much”

“Too much happening, overwhelming, so much that I can’t see straight. Everything is breaking around me until I eventually fall into an attack.” –Savvy W.

When anxiety fuels compulsive behaviors

“Usually when I start shaking and my head goes ‘crazy’ I bite my hand hard while taking deep breaths. This time it didn’t work, I kept biting and biting.” – Eric K.

Anxiety that’s “disguised”

“That look when you’re slowly emerging from a two day anxiety attack, masquerading as irrational anger and sadness.” –T.J. Jourian

The aftermath of a panic attack

“This is a picture of me right after I had a panic attack. Whenever someone challenges the fact I have anxiety, it just makes the anxiety even worse.” –Tia D.

“Flare ups” that hide behind a smile

“I have chronic hives but I mainly get flare ups when I’m anxious, which happens to be most of the time I’m out in public.” –Kalyn L.

When anxiety makes it hard to breathe

“I often times feel as if a black hand is rising up through my chest and clutching my throat and chest, trying to pull me into an abyss of chaos.” –Yasaman Gheidi, #InsideOutChallenge

When anxiety makes it impossible to get up

“When I took this photo I was supposed to be at work already. I was lying like this for hours trying to convince myself it was safe to go, but I physically couldn’t leave.” –Lena M.

When anxiety looks like being “put together”

“When your anxiety is worse than it’s been in years, but no one can tell because your makeup is that good.” –Lane Moore

Before you say somebody doesn’t “look like” they struggle with anxiety, remember anxiety looks different for everyone.

No matter how your anxiety manifests, you deserve understanding and support.