When Anxiety Doesn’t Come Alone: How Other Conditions and Life Changes Add to the Struggle
Anxiety doesn’t come alone
One of the most common challenges people come to me with is anxiety. For some, anxiety might be a standalone issue—feelings of worry, fear, or panic that feel overwhelming at times. For others, anxiety shows up alongside other conditions or during significant life changes, often making day-to-day life even more complicated.
Anxiety in Everyday Life
Anxiety is a natural response to stress, but when it becomes persistent or overwhelming, it can impact sleep, relationships, work, and overall wellbeing. You might experience racing thoughts, physical symptoms like a fast heartbeat, or feel constantly “on edge.”
When Other Conditions Are Present
Anxiety rarely exists in isolation. Many people also live with conditions such as:
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) – where intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviours can fuel constant worry.
Pure O (Purely Obsessional OCD) – a form of OCD where the compulsions are largely mental, often leading to hidden but exhausting cycles of anxiety.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) – difficulties with focus, organisation, and impulsivity can make everyday stresses harder to manage, often intensifying anxious feelings.
Autism – navigating a world that isn’t always designed for neurodivergent people can heighten anxiety, particularly in social or sensory environments.
Chronic pain or long-term health conditions – ongoing discomfort and uncertainty about health can add a heavy emotional load, often making anxiety harder to manage.
Menopause and perimenopause – hormonal changes can affect mood, sleep, and energy, which in turn can heighten anxious feelings.
Stress and burnout – high-pressure environments, whether at work or home, can push the nervous system into a constant state of alert.
Hypersensitivity and Irritation - Loud noises can lead to anxiety and fuel thoughts about something bad might happen. This can be linked to OCD, and Pure O.
Depression and trauma-related difficulties – these conditions often overlap with anxiety, feeding into cycles of worry, low mood, and physical tension.
Life Transitions and Circumstances
It isn’t only medical conditions or neurodivergence that can heighten anxiety. Major life changes can also stir up anxious feelings, sometimes to the point where they feel unmanageable. Some common examples include:
Becoming a parent – the shift in identity, responsibility, and sleepless nights can be both joyful and deeply anxiety-provoking.
Retirement – while often seen as a positive stage, stepping away from work can bring questions of purpose, identity, and financial security.
Bereavement or relationship changes – loss, separation, or adjusting to new dynamics can all increase feelings of anxiety.
Career changes – starting a new job, facing redundancy, or shifting careers can lead to uncertainty and stress.
Moving home or relocating – even exciting changes can unsettle routines and trigger heightened worries.
These kinds of transitions are part of being human, but when anxiety becomes overwhelming or persistent, therapy can help you process change, manage emotions, and find steadier ground.
How Co-Occurring Factors Amplify Anxiety
When anxiety combines with another condition or life transition, the effects often multiply rather than simply add up. For example:
Someone with ADHD may feel anxious about missing deadlines, then find their anxiety makes it even harder to concentrate.
A person with OCD might worry about a particular thought, and the very act of worrying strengthens the intrusive cycle.
An autistic person might feel anxious about unpredictable social settings, leading to exhaustion and shutdowns afterwards.
A new parent might feel anxious about not “getting it right,” which then fuels guilt and further worry.
In each case, anxiety doesn’t just “sit alongside” the other challenge—it interacts with it, often intensifying both.
Why It Matters to Acknowledge the Whole Picture
Understanding how anxiety links with other conditions and life circumstances is important. If you only focus on the anxiety without recognising the wider picture, it can feel like trying to solve a puzzle with missing pieces. Each person’s experience is unique, and therapy works best when it takes into account the whole person, not just one label or stage of life.
Moving Forward
At Yateley Therapy Space, I offer a supportive environment where you can explore these experiences safely. Whether your main concern is anxiety, OCD, ADHD, autism, chronic pain, life changes, or something else entirely, therapy can help you understand your mind, build coping strategies, and move towards a calmer, more balanced life.
✨ This blog is an introduction to how anxiety can connect with other conditions and circumstances. Over the coming weeks, I’ll be sharing more in-depth posts exploring these combinations in detail, so keep an eye out for updates on Facebook and Instagram.
