Free Floating Anxiety

Do you often feel a general sense of unease and worry? Does your daily life feel impacted by this sense of anxiety? Do you find yourself worrying about anything and everything? If you’ve answered yes to any of the above, you may be experiencing free-floating anxiety.

While free-floating anxiety is, in and of itself, not a diagnostic disorder, it is one of the characteristic symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder, a mental health diagnosis that can be managed with treatment.

Read on to learn more about free-floating anxiety, its symptoms, and how to treat it so that you can live life without being ruled by anxiety.

What is free-floating anxiety?

The American Psychological Association defines free-floating anxiety as “a diffuse, chronic sense of uneasiness and apprehension not directed toward any specific situation or object.”

A person who lives with Social Anxiety Disorder experiences anxiety in certain social situations. Their anxiety has a direct trigger – social events. A person experiencing free-floating anxiety can experience anxiety with or without a trigger, making everyday living more challenging.

Free-floating anxiety, what are the symptoms?

• An uneasy feeling not generally attributed to a specific situation, person, or thing

• Difficulty focusing

• Feeling foggy-headed when anxiety peaks

• Feeling a sense of dread without a specific cause

• Feeling nervous throughout the day

• Racing thoughts that feel difficult to control

• Physical symptoms might include stomach aches, headaches, restlessness and more

Causes of free-floating anxiety

There may be any number of reasons someone is experiencing free-floating anxiety. Some people report having always felt this way, and as they’ve grown older, they’ve learned to manage their symptoms. Others experience free-floating anxiety after a significant trauma. Many people are unable to pinpoint when their symptoms started or what might have contributed to the onset.

Individual genetics

Research indicates there is a greater chance of inheriting anxious traits if a person’s parents have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. Though genetics play a role, this does not in and of itself determine a child will inevitably inherit these traits.

We are all products of nature and nurture. If you do have a genetic predisposition to anxiety, you can alter your environment and develop healthy coping mechanisms to help manage symptoms.

Environmental factors

Your environment may be contributing to your anxiety. For example, a new college student away from home for the first time might experience free-floating anxiety because of all of the new changes and limited support.

Or, perhaps your work is a high-stress, high-stakes job like that of an Emergency Medical Technician. Living in a constant state of fight-flight-or-freeze can contribute to a general, everyday feeling of anxiety.

It’s also possible that your life feels generally imbalanced. Perhaps you work too hard and have limited time to socialize. These factors can contribute to feeling an overall sense of anxiousness.

Stress

Stress and anxiety go hand in hand. If you are experiencing a high amount of stress in your life, you will experience anxiety. Our brains are wired to problem-solve, and when we can’t eliminate external stressors, our minds will become anxious in reaction to it.

Trauma

Any type of trauma, whether witnessed or experienced first-hand, often results in an extended period of anxiety. Childhood trauma significantly impacts the brain and can even “rewire” neural pathways, making anxiety more prevalent. A characteristic of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) includes a general sense of unease and nervousness.

Brain development

The brain is a very dynamic organ that can be altered due to genetics, environment, trauma, medication, and more. If the brain has experienced significant anxiety, trauma, or stress, these neural pathways become almost hard-wired and difficult to alter without treatment.

For example, a person who spends a year living in a war zone will be on constant alert for danger. The brain does a great job of trying to survive and remains on high alert during war. Once the war ends, the brain doesn’t necessarily recognize the threat as being over, resulting in a general sense of anxiety.

The good news is that the brain can relearn and adjust to the current reality with proper treatment such as therapy, medication, and/or meditative interventions.

Parenting style

Parents who overschedule their children with after-school activities or who “helicopter” their children at every opportunity may be contributing to their children’s anxiety. Children need downtime to relax and play – this is an important part of development. Likewise, children also need to know they can make mistakes, get hurt, or fail a test and that life will carry on.

If you notice your children are generally anxious, it’s not enough to seek help for your child alone without assessing how you may or may not contribute to the problem. No parent is perfect, and that’s okay. Sometimes, taking a parenting class or talking with a therapist is enough to make a positive difference and can shift things for both you and your child.

Impact of free-floating anxiety

Free-floating anxiety is an uncomfortable, uneasy feeling that can significantly impact one’s quality of life. If you feel constantly on edge and nervous, it’s difficult to enjoy the positive things in life. People can become avoidant of certain situations they believe exacerbate these anxious feelings.

People may withdraw and isolate themselves as they feel life is too overwhelming. Work, school, and relationships may suffer as you aren’t able to give 100% of yourself because you are consumed with anxiety.

Treatment options

Any time you feel overwhelmed, it’s important to seek support. Working with a therapist can significantly improve anxious symptoms and help you develop coping strategies so you feel empowered and in control of your life.

Psychotherapy

There are a variety of therapy modalities that can treat this type of anxiety. From cognitive-behavioral therapy, which focuses on how our thoughts impact our feelings and behavior, to somatic therapy, which focuses on the body’s relationship with anxiety, therapy is a highly effective treatment.

If you have trouble finding a therapist or in-person therapy feels intimidating, try an online therapy platform, such as BetterHelp. BetterHelp has thousands of licensed and experienced therapists well-versed in working with anxiety who can meet with you via secure text/chat, video, and/or phone. Research shows that online therapy is as effective as in-person therapy and may be more convenient and affordable than traditional therapy.

Medications

It’s always wise to talk with your doctor to rule out any possible underlying medical issue. Some conditions, biological changes, and diseases can contribute to anxious feelings. Once these are ruled out, psychiatric medication may be indicated.

Psychiatric medication is available to treat anxiety and is known to be highly effective. Seeing a psychiatrist who specializes in both mental health issues as well as pharmacology is the best choice for determining the right medication and dosage for you.

Consult an expert

Trust yourself to know when something doesn’t feel right. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon, especially for women, to be dismissed by their doctor. If you are overwhelmed and in need of support, don’t give up until you get the answers you need.

Get a second opinion. If you see a therapist and they aren’t helpful or they don’t feel like the right fit, keep on trying. You are the expert in knowing when you need help and which help is right for you.

How to know when to seek professional support

Fortunately, taking care of our mental health and making it a priority has become less stigmatized. When you feel overwhelmed, don’t wait for things to get better on your own. Seek support as soon as possible.

If you have never partaken in therapy before, it might feel intimidating. You may have heard therapy is expensive, and you may fear it’s too time-consuming. If this sounds like you, there has never been a better time to try online therapy such as BetterHelp.

BetterHelp accepts HSA/FSA credit cards. Prices range from $280-$400 per month, while traditional in-person therapy’s average cost is $200/hour.

Sessions can be conducted via live chat, text, video, or phone, which may be less anxiety-provoking for some than seeing a therapist in person. All therapists have been verified, are licensed, and must have at least three years of experience. If you don’t like the therapist you are matched with, you can work with a different therapist.

Frequently asked questions and answers

What is free-floating anxiety a symptom of?

Free-floating anxiety can be a symptom of stress, environment, or genetics – or it can be a symptom of an anxiety disorder such as Generalized anxiety disorder.

Is generalized anxiety lifelong?

Not necessarily. One can learn to manage their symptoms and develop coping strategies to live a happy and fulfilling life. While there may be a tendency to revert back to anxious patterns during times of high stress, with treatment, the anxious feelings are tolerable and easier to manage.

Unfortunately, life is stressful and anxiety-producing at various times. Those living with generalized anxiety will have to work harder to manage their symptoms than those who don’t live with ongoing anxiety.

What is the last stage of anxiety recovery?

When a client has sought treatment for anxiety, the most important thing they can achieve is a sense of knowing that they can tolerate and work through anxiety. Feeling empowered to handle challenges is the most powerful tool to rise above life’s obstacles.

Conclusion

Free-floating anxiety can feel overwhelming and hopeless at times. Know that you are not alone in feeling this way. While some experience anxiety for a short period during their life, others must manage their symptoms throughout their lifespan.

There is effective support and treatment available. You don’t have to live with anxiety. Seek out support and get the help you deserve.