10 Comics That Are All Too Real For Someone With Anxiety

Spoiler alert: anxiety is the worst.

One of the super fun (and by "fun," we mean terrible) things about anxiety is that your brain and body have a tendency to go into overdrive.

Anxiety disorders affect an estimated 40 million American adults and come with a host of issues. The physical symptoms can be next-level awful and your thoughts can feel like they're out of control. But comprehending how anxiety can cripple your life may be difficult for those who don't experience the condition, no matter how many times we wax poetic about its effects.

Enter these cheeky comics by Marzi Wilson, the creator behind the series Introvert Doodles, which perfectly explain just what it's like to deal with the mental health disorder.

"I would like those who have anxiety to know that they aren't alone, so there's no reason to feel embarrassed," Wilson told The Huffington Post. "I believe that the greatest tools for erasing stigma are education and conversation, so I hope that these comics will be a starting point for a more open dialogue about anxiety."

Wilson started experiencing anxiety as a teen and has since learned to deal with it through her artwork. While the illustrations are meant to be a hyperbolic and (somewhat) humorous way of explaining anxiety, there's some real truth to them. People with anxiety have a tendency to ruminate on the worst-possible scenario, get panic-stricken at any given moment or overthink even the smallest of situations. But that doesn't mean all hope is lost, Wilson says.

"It's a challenge to live with anxiety, and it can make everyday tasks more difficult, but having anxiety doesn't mean you're broken or weak," she said. "It takes immense inner strength to repeatedly confront your fears, as those with anxiety do on a daily basis. You're stronger than you realize."

Ain't that the truth.

Take a look at some of Wilson's comics below to get an idea of what it's really like dealing with anxiety:

Introvert Doodles

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