When most people think about different types of anxiety or mental disorders, confusion doesn’t typically come to mind. But, it is very much considered an anxiety issue in many cases. Unfortunately, confusion can be – well, confusing on its own! It’s a complicated issue that can affect people differently. You may experience it at the very peak of anxiety, or it may become a gradual problem.

Confusion deals with everything from feeling overwhelmed when faced with a decision to wondering who we really are and why we live the way we do. These might be questions and problems everyone faces from time to time. But, when they start to affect the overall quality of your life, it can become a bigger issue.

Breaking down and understanding different ways in which confusion presents itself is important. Let’s look at a few different ways in which it can be defined. If any of these definitions seem to coincide with things you’re regularly feeling and experiencing, take comfort in knowing it is possible to overcome these struggles.

Forgetting Everyday Things

General forgetfulness is a common sign of confusion. Many types of anxiety disorders make it difficult to focus on something for too long. If you have trouble paying attention or keeping your focus, and are struggling with a bit of memory loss, it can feel scary. Something you heard even a few minutes ago can seem to ‘disappear.’ Not only can this be frustrating for the individual dealing with it, it can start to affect things like your career and relationships.

Not Understanding Anxious Feelings

If you’re struggling with confusion over anxiety, many times you can be confused about the anxiety itself – wondering why you’re feeling a certain way, why you’re thinking certain things, etc. This is why it’s so important to get an official diagnosis of mental health conditions. Not being able to fully understand what you’re going through or why can be scary and debilitating.

Dealing with Derealization

Do you ever feel like you’re in some type of ‘dream’ state, even if you know it’s not true? Derealization occurs when reality doesn’t feel like reality, or even as though you’re not really present in a specific situation. You may not even have an idea of what’s truly going on, which can be extremely unnerving when it occurs.

How to Deal With Confusion

Overcoming confusion can be a lengthy process and requires work from the individual dealing with the problem and a mental health professional. Feeling confused about life in general can lead to extended feelings of loneliness and anxiety. The good news? You don’t have to live with these feelings forever.

Together, we’ll work out what’s really important to you in life, and help you achieve an overall sense of clarity. As the confusion starts to clear and you’re more aware of your reality, you may be able to get to the bottom of other potential anxiety and/or depressive issues that could be lurking within your mind. We’ll help you with specific strategies to push away thoughts of confusion and see your life more clearly.

Carolyn Ehrlich LCSW, CGP specializes in Relationship Counseling NYC