The Hashtag #WhatAnxietyFeelsLike Reveals The Many Forms The Condition Can Take

Sarah Fader is 37 years old and suffers from chronic anxiety. Knowing she wasn’t alone, but that many people suffering were hesitant to publicize their struggle, she started Stigma Fighters, a nonprofit dedicated to the open discussion and fight against mental illness.

The first panic attack started at just 15, and Sarah continues to suffer from them as an adult mother of two. As exhausted as she was by the anxiety itself, she was also frustrated by people’s refusal to discuss the prevalence of chronic anxiety, be it due to manners, shame, or just an uncertainty of what to say.

So she created the hashtag #ThisIsWhatAnxietyFeelsLike so others could share their personal experiences and struggles, knowing they’re not alone in their fight.

It didn’t take long for people to take her up on her offer.

Sarah discussed how something as simple as a hashtag could help her in a piece for The Huffington Post, stating, “ It was inspiring to know that I am not alone in the way that anxiety overwhelms me. Anxiety affects people in a variety of different ways. It was refreshing to read about people’s experiences with anxiety.”

The ideas, feelings, and emotions shared under the hashtag are hardly pleasant. But learning of the hardships others face helps foster a sense of community, reliance, and, above all, hope. Everyone sharing their experiences with anxiety are getting through life, difficult as it may be.

The response has been such that Sarah’s created a new account just for people to share, which she also shared via The Huffington Post, writing, “I’m overwhelmed (pun intended) by the support for #ThisIsWhatAnxietyFeelsLike. I even created a separate Twitter account for it @AnxietyHashtag. Thank you to everyone who participated in this viral anxious movement. I love you all.”