Why Is My Anxiety Getting Worse?

If you’ve recently found yourself asking, “Why the hell is my anxiety getting worse?”—first of all, welcome. You're in the right place. I talk to folks every single day who feel like they’re unraveling at the seams, despite doing all the things they thought were supposed to help. 

Spoiler alert: It’s not that you’re broken. It’s not that you’re weak. And no, you’re not the only one who feels like your brain has opened up a 24/7 worry shop and business is booming.

Let’s break it down together. In this article, I want to talk about some of the reasons you may feel like your anxiety symptoms are getting worse.

1. You're Going Through a Lot

First off, can we acknowledge how wild the last few years have been? Life has been a lot lately.

Anxiety loves chaos. It feeds on uncertainty. So if you’ve been feeling more anxious lately, chances are, your nervous system is doing exactly what it was designed to do (respond to stress).

The issue with this? When you're experiencing extreme levels of stress, anxiety stops being helpful and starts being a giant buzzkill.

Even if everything seems fine on the outside, emotional exhaustion, grief, burnout, and unresolved life junk can pile up.

Don’t gaslight yourself into thinking, “I shouldn’t feel this way.” You feel how you feel. 

2. You're Probably Overachieving… 

Let me guess, you’re the kind of person with a color-coded planner, 83 tabs open in your brain, and an unhealthy relationship with productivity. Sound familiar?

When anxiety ramps up, many of us fall into one of two traps: over-functioning (working harder, doing more, micromanaging everything), or under-functioning (numbing out, avoiding, procrastinating like it’s an Olympic sport). Both are protective, but they don’t address what’s underneath your anxiety.

Pushing yourself harder won't fix your inner turmoil; it's just a way to ignore your emotional needs by staying busy. This only adds fuel to the anxiety fire.

Your nervous system needs rest, play, connection, and regulation—not another to-do list.

3. You're Not Being Kind to Yourself 

Anxiety isn’t just about what’s happening to you; it's what's happening inside you. If your brain is always assuming the worst or telling you you’re not good enough, it makes sense that your anxiety is having a field day.

This is where something like CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) can work wonders. It’s all about learning to spot the BS your brain is feeding you, and replacing it with thoughts grounded in reality.

4. You Might Be Avoiding Instead of Addressing

Here’s some tough love: avoiding the stuff that triggers your anxiety only gives it more power.

That text you didn’t respond to? That awkward conversation you’re dodging? That scary decision you’re putting off? Avoidance might feel good at the time, but it teaches your brain that you can’t handle things (which is a total lie).

Facing your fears doesn’t mean jumping into the deep end. It just means inching toward discomfort, at a pace that feels doable, while reminding yourself that you’ve got this. 

5. Your Body’s Trying to Tell You Something

Anxiety doesn’t just live in your head. It lives in your body, too. If you’re ignoring basic stuff like sleep, movement, hydration, food that nourishes you, or time in nature, your nervous system is probably waving a giant red flag.

Are you drinking iced coffee on an empty stomach and calling that breakfast? Are you doomscrolling till midnight, then wondering why you can’t sleep? Your body needs safety signals. Routine. Grounding. Slowness. 

Polyvagal Theory shows us that a calm body = a calm mind. So if your anxiety is ramping up, maybe it’s time to give yourself some TLC.

6. You're Healing 

Sometimes, your anxiety gets worse because you’re finally slowing down enough to feel it.

Maybe you’re no longer numbing out. Maybe you’re starting therapy and digging into your past. Maybe a relationship ended, and now you’re sitting with feelings you’ve been pushing down for years.

Healing can be messy. It can be loud. And it can feel like things are getting worse before they get better.

That doesn’t mean you’re failing—it means you’re finally listening. Growth doesn’t always feel like rainbows and breakthroughs. Sometimes, it feels like crying in your car and wondering what the hell you're doing. That’s okay. You're still moving forward.

7. You're Not Getting the Right Support

Let’s be honest: You can’t fix your anxiety with a 60-second TikTok or a “just breathe” mantra. Real, lasting change takes time, tools, and support.

If your anxiety feels unmanageable, it’s time to call in the pros. Therapy isn’t just for when you hit rock bottom; it’s for the everyday stuff that wears you down. You deserve a space where you can let it all out, ask the big questions, and be met with empathy, expertise, and zero judgment.

Whether it’s individual therapy, walk-and-talk sessions, or online support, I’m here to help you sort through the mess and find the calm beneath the chaos.

Final Thoughts: You're Not Alone (Even If It Feels That Way)

Anxiety lies. It tells you that you’re the only one who feels this way. That everyone else is doing fine. That you’re too sensitive, too broken, too far gone. But here’s the truth: you’re not too much. 

If your anxiety is getting worse, it’s not because you’re failing; it’s because your body and mind are begging for your attention.

Listen to that. Be curious, not critical.

And if you're ready to talk it out with someone who swears a little, laughs a lot, and knows her shit when it comes to anxiety, relationships, and all things messy and human—I’m here.

Take a deep breath, and let’s reinvent your life together.

Get in touch