Why Anxiety Feels So Overwhelming (And How to Work With It)
- Alan Byrne
- Mar 18
- 4 min read
Quick Answer |
Anxiety feels overwhelming because the body’s "threat-detection" system becomes overactive, reacting to perceived or anticipated danger rather than actual, immediate threats. This can create a cycle where thoughts and physical sensations reinforce each other, making anxiety feel difficult to control. |
Many people experience anxiety as something intense, confusing, and difficult to control.
It can feel like it comes out of nowhere, quickly taking over your thoughts, your body, and your sense of control.
In both my clinical work and personal life, I’ve found analogies to be one of the most helpful ways of understanding anxiety.
They can simplify something that is actually quite complex, while offering a memorable way to relate to it and manage it.
But understanding anxiety is one thing.
A common question many people have is:
What do you actually do about it?
While this article will use an analogy to explain what anxiety is, my latest YouTube Video breaks down one of the most commonly recommended approaches for anxiety management, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
You can watch that here:
The Car Alarm Analogy
Picture this:
It’s a warm summer’s day. You’re sitting in your front garden, eyes closed as the sun warms your body. You can hear birds singing, and children playing football on the road.
Suddenly, your car alarm goes off.
You jump up, startled, and rush to see what’s happened. You realise the football has hit your car.
“Sorry about that,” your neighbour’s child says.
You turn off the alarm and return to your chair, your body slowly settling again.
Now, anxiety works in a very similar way.
Its purpose is to alert you to potential danger.
But just like a car alarm, it is highly sensitive.
It cannot always distinguish between a real threat and the possibility of a threat. When either appears, it activates.
Anxiety Is Not the Enemy
From this perspective, anxiety is not an enemy.
It is more like an overprotective alarm system.
Its intention is to keep you safe, even if it sometimes overreacts.
Understanding this can change how we respond to anxiety.
Because if anxiety’s role is to detect danger, but you also perceive anxiety itself as a danger, a cycle can begin.
You fear the feeling of anxiety, and the very thought of becoming anxious triggers it.
And when it appears, it reinforces the sense that something is wrong.
Why Anxiety Can Spiral
This is how anxiety can quickly become overwhelming.
One thought leads to a feeling.
That feeling leads to more thoughts.
And those thoughts increase the intensity of the feeling.
Before long, you can feel caught in a loop.
Like quicksand, the more you try to force your way out of it, the more stuck you can feel.
So How Do You Work With Anxiety?
If fighting anxiety often makes it stronger, a different approach is needed.
Instead of trying to eliminate or avoid it, the goal becomes learning how to respond to it differently.
This might involve:
noticing when your “alarm system” has been triggered
recognising that not all alarms signal real danger
allowing the feeling to be present without immediately reacting to it
gently bringing your attention back to the present moment
Over time, this can help reduce the intensity of anxiety and the hold it has over you.
When It Might Help to Talk to Someone About Anxiety
For many people, anxiety can feel confusing, exhausting, and isolating.
While understanding it is a helpful first step, it is not always easy to navigate it alone.
Counselling for anxiety can provide a space to explore what triggers your anxiety, how it shows up for you, and how you might begin to relate to it in a different way.
You don’t need to have everything figured out before reaching out.
Sometimes, simply having a space to talk and be understood can begin to ease the cycle.
If you are struggling with anxiety and would like support, you are welcome to explore the counselling and psychotherapy services offered on this website or get in touch for an initial conversation.
About the Author
Alan Byrne is an Integrative Psychotherapist and Mental Health Counsellor based in Dublin 12, offering counselling and psychotherapy both in person and online across Ireland. He holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Counselling and Psychotherapy from the Irish Institute of Counselling and Psychotherapy (IICP).
Alan works with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, addiction, burnout, and other life challenges. His approach integrates several therapeutic perspectives, including Person Centred Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and psychodynamic approaches. His work focuses on helping people understand underlying patterns, develop practical coping strategies, and move toward meaningful and lasting change.
Before entering the field of psychotherapy, Alan worked as a personal trainer and health coach, supporting people in improving their overall well-being. His work now brings together psychological insight with a holistic understanding of how lifestyle, habits, and emotional health interact.
Alan’s work is guided by the ethical framework of the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. To learn more about his background and therapeutic approach, you can visit the About page.
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