Fear of Losing Control and Anxiety

One of the most frightening experiences people describe when struggling with anxiety is the fear of losing control.

Anxiety can make you feel like you are no longer in charge of your own thoughts and feelings. Your mind races and won’t switch off. You feel physically hot, tense and on edge. You struggle to think clearly and get on with things. Back when I had anxiety I remember feeling like I was two different people – the ‘real’ me when I felt calm and comfortable, and the anxious me when the unwanted thoughts and feelings took over and felt uncontrollable.

You might worry that you will panic, say something embarrassing, collapse, or even feel as though you might ‘go crazy’. These thoughts can feel incredibly convincing in the moment, which often makes the anxiety even stronger.

In my work as an anxiety therapist in Ely, the fear of losing control is something many people mention when their anxiety has become intense or overwhelming. It creates more worry about what might happen and how you’ll cope. It can all feel exhausting, frightening and overwhelming.

Understanding why this happens can help you see that this experience is actually a very common part of anxiety.

 

Why Anxiety Can Create a Fear of Losing Control

Anxiety activates the body’s natural fight-or-flight response.

This system is designed to prepare us to react quickly if we are in danger. When the brain believes there is a threat, it releases adrenaline and other stress hormones so you are ready to take action to keep yourself safe.

This can lead to sensations such as:

• racing thoughts
• feeling overwhelmed
• dizziness or light-headedness
• a sense of urgency or panic

When these sensations happen suddenly, the mind can interpret them as a sign that something serious is about to happen. This worry can be further exacerbated if it feels like your anxiety comes ‘out of nowhere’.

In addition, we are designed to act rather than think when faced with danger (otherwise we may react too slowly). You struggle to think clearly when highly anxious and this can create a sense of being out of control over your own mind.

All of this is why people sometimes worry they might lose control, even though this is extremely unlikely.

For people experiencing anxiety in Ely, fears about losing control are a surprisingly common part of how anxiety can show up.

 

Anxiety Can Make Thoughts Feel Very Convincing

Another reason this fear appears is because anxiety increases catastrophic thinking.

The mind begins imagining worst-case scenarios such as:

• “What if I faint?”
• “What if I panic in public?”
• “What if I lose control of my thoughts?”

You might worry about being unable to work, look after others, or even to that you will become unable to look after yourself.

These thoughts are part of anxiety’s attempt to protect you from danger, even though the threat is not actually real. They are designed to keep you safe, even if you don’t feel very safe when it is all happening.

These fears are often connected with patterns of anxiety and overthinking, where the mind repeatedly imagines worst-case scenarios.

 

Physical Sensations Can Increase the Fear

Many people experiencing anxiety also notice physical anxiety symptoms, such as a racing heart, dizziness or difficulty relaxing.

When these sensations appear suddenly, it can feel as though something serious is happening. You may even seek medical attention.

In reality, these symptoms are simply the body responding to stress. You are designed to experience these things, they are just happening when you aren’t actually in physical danger.

 

Why People Often Feel This During Panic

Fear of losing control often appears during or before a panic episode.

During a panic attack the body is flooded with adrenaline, which can create intense sensations very quickly.

This can make people worry that they might:

• faint
• collapse
• lose control of their thoughts

However, panic attacks themselves are not dangerous, even though they can feel extremely uncomfortable.

 

When Anxiety Begins Affecting Everyday Life

If anxiety regularly creates fears about losing control, it may start affecting everyday life.

People sometimes begin to:

• avoid certain places or situations
• feel constantly on edge
• worry about when anxiety might appear
• stop doing usual things ‘just in case’

If anxiety seems to be becoming more frequent, it may help to recognise some of the signs your anxiety is getting worse.

You may also find it helpful to understand when you should seek help for anxiety if it begins affecting sleep, confidence or daily life.

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Fear of Losing Control and Anxiety

Can anxiety make you feel like you’re losing control?

Yes. Anxiety can create intense physical sensations and racing thoughts that make people worry they might lose control. These feelings are a result of the body’s stress response and are a common experience for people with anxiety.

Why does anxiety make me feel like I might go crazy?

When anxiety is high, the mind can produce catastrophic thoughts or overwhelming sensations. These experiences can make people worry they are losing control, but they are actually part of the brain’s attempt to protect you.

Can panic attacks make you lose control?

Panic attacks can feel extremely intense, but they do not cause people to lose control. Although the sensations may feel frightening, panic attacks themselves are not dangerous.

Can therapy help with fear of losing control?

Many people find therapy helpful for understanding anxiety and changing patterns of thinking and feeling. Learning how anxiety works can help reduce the fear associated with these sensations.

 

Finding Support for Anxiety

Anxiety can make thoughts and sensations feel extremely convincing, but these experiences are much more common than many people realise.

With the right support, many people find they can understand anxiety more clearly and begin to feel calmer and more confident again.

If anxiety has been affecting how you feel day-to-day, a free consultation is available to talk things through and explore what support might help.

To your health and happiness,

Dan Regan

Anxiety Therapy and Hypnotherapy in Ely and Newmarket

 

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