Can Texting Cause Anxiety? Yes, it can!

What Is Texting Anxiety?

Anxiety from forms of digital communication, aka texting anxiety, is quite common. Texting anxiety is when you feel uneasiness or fear while waiting for someone to respond. It is distress caused by feelings of urgency or pressure to respond to a text message. It may look like a lengthy text message and the fear of being misunderstood. 

Texting anxiety (like other forms of stress) is a thief. This type of pressure robs you of your present and future (through fear). Texting anxiety can harm your health because it raises your stress levels. What is known about high-stress levels is that they can cause physical symptoms like headaches and even weaken your immune symptoms. 

Why Am I Feeling Anxiety From Texting?

Texting anxiety is often rooted in feelings of control and fear of rejection. Texting anxiety isn’t new; however, the prevalence has increased due to the pandemic’s effects. The 2020 pandemic increased our dependency on digital forms of communication to maintain relationships and social connections. Feelings of guilt surrounding this dependency are common. Dealing with texting anxiety and the guilt caused by it will look different in that time as the effects of the pandemic (e.g., stay-at-home orders, social distancing, limited physical events) have limited our everyday social interactions, which was a means to cope. 

Why Does My Kid Have Texting Anxiety?

Youth are particularly susceptible to texting anxiety and social media dependency in general. This is because technology, over time, has changed the way people interact and connect with others. Youth, in particular, are developing their self-esteem, self-image, and self-concept through the lens of social media. The increased need for validation paired with immediate gratification that technology like social media and texting creates heightened this phenomenon. 

If you believe you are dealing with texting anxiety, therapy can help. It is important to note that therapy can be an excellent resource during this time. Therapy can provide the proper outlet and safe space to process your feelings and behaviors.  Follow A Good Place For Help blog to learn more, or click the contact form to get started with a therapist.