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Are you an excessive worrier? Perhaps you unconsciously think that if you "worry enough," you can prevent bad things from happening. But the fact is, worring can affect the body in ways that may surprise you. When worrying becomes excessive, it can lead to feelings of high anxiety and even cause you to be physically ill.
Worrying is feeling uneasy or being overly concerned about a situation or problem. With excessive worrying, your mind and body go into overdrive as you constantly focus on "what might happen."
In the midst of excessive worrying, you may suffer with high anxiety -- even panic -- during waking hours. Many chronic worriers tell of feeling a sense of impending doom or unrealistic fears that only increase their worries. Ultra-sensitive to their environment and to the criticism of others, excessive worriers may see anything -- and anyone -- as a potential threat.
Chronic worrying can affect your daily life so much that it may interfere with your appetite, lifestyle habits, relationships, sleep, and job performance. Many people who worry excessively are so anxiety-ridden that they seek relief in harmful lifestyle habits such as overeating, cigarette smoking, or using alcohol and drugs.
Anxiety is a normal reaction to stress. Ongoing anxiety, though, may be the result of a disorder such as generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, or social anxiety. Anxiety disorders are commonplace in the U.S., affecting nearly 40 million adults. Anxiety manifests itself in multiple ways and does not discriminate by age, gender, or race.
Stressful events such as a test or a job interview can make anyone feel a bit anxious. And sometimes, a little worry or anxiety is helpful. It can help you get ready for an upcoming situation. For instance, if you’re preparing for a job interview, a little worry or anxiety may push you to find out more about the position. Then you can present yourself more professionally to the potential employer. Worrying about a test may help you study more and be more prepared on test day.
But excessive worriers react quickly and intensely to these stressful situations or triggers. Even thinking about the situation can cause chronic worriers great distress and disability. Excessive worry or ongoing fear or anxiety is harmful when it becomes so irrational that you can’t focus on reality or think clearly. People with high anxiety have difficulty shaking their worries. When that happens, they may experience actual physical symptoms.
Does worrying raise blood sugar or A1C levels
Yes—worrying can raise blood sugar, especially if it is frequent or chronic. Stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline can make the liver release more glucose and can increase insulin resistance, which may also push A1C higher over time if the stress keeps happening.
A short period of worry may cause a temporary glucose rise, while ongoing stress is more likely to affect your average over time and show up in A1C. A1C reflects your average blood sugar over about 2 to 3 months, so repeated stress-related spikes can contribute to a higher result.
If you notice higher readings when you are anxious, that is a real pattern and not “just in your head.” Stress can also make people eat differently, sleep worse, and exercise less, which can further raise blood sugar.
If your worrying is frequent, hard to control, or affecting sleep or appetite, it is worth addressing directly because it can affect both mood and blood sugar control.
James Eckburg
