Did you ever play the game called “telephone” growing up? One child would whisper a secret message into the ear of the next, and so on around the circle until the last person said the message out loud.
Often, the final message sounded nothing like the original. That’s because each person has their own way of hearing and sharing information. Sometimes it’s accurate. Sometimes it’s not.
In this way, language can be a tricky thing, especially when we’re talking about mental health.
We all experience anxious moments. But actual anxiety disorders are far more than just feeling nervous. And misunderstanding the language around anxiety can lead to confusion, misdiagnosis, and people not getting the help they need.
We hear phrases like “I had a panic attack” tossed around all the time. But often, what someone really means is, “I was stressed” or “I was uncomfortable.” These offhand remarks might seem harmless, but over time, they blur the line between normal stress and clinical anxiety.
This miscommunication can do real harm. People who are actually struggling with panic or social anxiety might downplay what they’re feeling. Others may believe they understand the disorder simply because they’ve felt nervous before a job interview.
The truth is, anxiety disorders aren’t just stress. They’re serious, treatable conditions that impact day-to-day life, relationships, and health.
There are many different types of anxiety disorders, but two of the most common and most misunderstood are panic disorder and social anxiety disorder. Here’s what sets them apart.
People with panic disorder experience sudden, intense episodes of fear that feel overwhelming and out of control. These panic attacks often include physical symptoms such as:
Rapid heart rate
Dizziness
Chest pain
Shortness of breath
Many people believe they’re having a heart attack or suffering from a serious undiagnosed medical condition. These attacks can strike without warning and often lead to persistent fear of when the next one might happen.
Social anxiety is more than shyness. It’s a persistent fear of being judged, embarrassed, or rejected in social situations.
People with social anxiety might:
Avoid public speaking or group conversations
Decline social events, even ones they want to attend
Worry excessively about being perceived as awkward or stupid
Experience physical symptoms like blushing, trembling, or nausea in social situations
Left untreated, social anxiety can limit someone’s ability to connect with others, perform at work or school, and feel comfortable in everyday interactions.
Everyone feels anxious sometimes. It’s part of being human.
But feeling anxious every day, to the point that it’s affecting your health, relationships, or ability to function, is not something you just have to live with.
If anxiety is taking over your life, it’s time to take it seriously. And the good news is, anxiety is highly treatable.
At Through Therapy Counselling Collective, we work with clients across Western Canada through secure online therapy. We help people untangle the fear, avoidance, and overwhelm that often come with anxiety disorders.
Whether you’re navigating panic attacks, social anxiety, or general anxiety that won’t let up, we offer a supportive space to understand what’s really happening and build new tools to move forward.
You have to go through it to heal. But you don’t have to go through it alone.
Book a free consultation and let’s talk about how therapy can support you in managing anxiety and reclaiming a sense of calm and confidence in your life.
