When people picture an anxiety attack, they often imagine someone visibly panicking — breathing fast, shaking, maybe even crying.
In reality, anxiety attacks don’t always look the way you expect them to. Some people freeze, some try to hide it, and others might act in ways that seem completely unrelated to stress. Because anxiety hits differently for everyone, it’s not always obvious when someone is struggling. Here are some of the things people might do during an anxiety attack that you wouldn’t necessarily recognise as problematic. Obviously, these behaviours alone aren’t a 100% guarantee someone’s panicking, but they could be red flags worth paying attention to.
1. Suddenly going completely silent
Not all anxiety attacks involve hyperventilating or crying—sometimes, they look like shutting down entirely. If someone who was previously chatty or engaged suddenly goes quiet, it might not be because they’re bored or distracted; it could be anxiety taking over. The brain can go into freeze mode during an anxiety attack, making it hard to respond, think clearly, or even process what’s happening. People in this state often look fine on the outside, but inside, their mind is racing.
2. Laughing or making jokes out of nowhere
Anxiety can make people mask their distress in unexpected ways, one of which is humour. Some people instinctively joke, laugh, or try to change the subject when they feel overwhelmed, making it easy to miss that they’re struggling. If someone suddenly starts cracking jokes at odd times, they might not be as relaxed as they seem. For many, humour is a way of deflecting attention from how anxious they actually feel.
3. Rushing through their words or talking way too fast
When anxiety spikes, the brain goes into overdrive, and for some people, that means their words start spilling out at double speed. They might talk quickly, jump between topics, or struggle to finish sentences as their thoughts race. While this might come across as excitement or high energy, it can actually be a sign that their nervous system is in full panic mode. It’s like their brain is moving too fast for them to keep up.
4. Completely zoning out in the middle of a conversation
Sometimes, instead of getting overwhelmed with too many thoughts, the brain does the opposite — it shuts off entirely. Someone in an anxiety attack might stare into space, zone out mid-sentence, or struggle to follow along with a conversation. This isn’t them being rude or uninterested; it’s their brain trying to cope by momentarily checking out. When anxiety overloads the system, dissociation can kick in as a way to disconnect from the overwhelming emotions.
5. Moving way more than usual — or not at all
Some people feel like they have to move when anxiety hits. They’ll start tapping their foot, playing with their hands, or shifting in their seat. Others freeze completely, barely moving while they try to get through the overwhelming sensations. The body reacts to anxiety in different ways; some need motion to release nervous energy, while others shut down in an attempt to stay in control. Either way, sudden changes in movement can be a subtle sign that they’re internally freaking out.
6. Getting really irritable or snapping over nothing
Anxiety doesn’t always show up as fear; sometimes, it comes out as frustration or irritability. Someone mid-anxiety attack might seem on edge, easily annoyed, or react more sharply than usual to small things. This isn’t them being rude, at least not intentionally; it’s their brain being overwhelmed. When anxiety reaches its peak, even the tiniest stressor can feel massive, making it harder to stay patient or regulate emotions.
7. Asking way too many questions all at once
Some people handle anxiety by trying to control the situation, which can look like rapid-fire questioning. They might start asking about plans, logistics, or small details that normally wouldn’t matter. This is their brain trying to find something solid to hold onto in the middle of uncertainty. If someone suddenly seems unusually fixated on details, they might be trying to calm their anxiety by getting a sense of control.
8. Becoming super indecisive over the smallest things.
Anxiety can make even simple decisions feel impossible. Someone in an anxiety attack might struggle to choose what to eat, where to sit, or how to respond to a simple question. It happens because anxiety overloads the brain with too many possibilities, making every choice feel weirdly high-stakes. If someone suddenly can’t decide on things they’d normally pick in a second, anxiety might be at play.
9. Suddenly needing to leave right now
When anxiety reaches a certain level, the brain triggers the urge to escape. Someone might abruptly get up, say they need to go, or look for an excuse to leave, even if nothing obvious has changed. It’s not them being flaky or rude; it’s their nervous system trying to remove them from the source of stress. Even in situations that seem completely fine, anxiety can create a huge need to get out.
10. Checking their phone constantly (even if nothing’s happening)
Scrolling, opening apps, refreshing messages — when someone is feeling anxious, they might instinctively reach for their phone as a way to self-soothe or distract themselves. It can be a way of mentally escaping when their thoughts feel overwhelming. If someone is glued to their phone but not actually engaging with anything, they might be using it as a coping mechanism for anxiety.
11. Suddenly feeling really sick or dizzy
Anxiety doesn’t just affect the mind — it hits the body hard, too. Someone in an anxiety attack might feel nauseous, lightheaded, or experience stomach pain out of nowhere. Because anxiety triggers the body’s fight-or-flight response, it can cause digestive issues, dizziness, or a sudden feeling of being physically unwell. If someone seems like they’re getting sick fast and seemingly out of nowhere, anxiety could be the reason.
12. Becoming way too focused on tiny details
Some people cope with anxiety by hyper-focusing on something random — a conversation topic, a tiny detail in the room, or even a repetitive action like adjusting their sleeves. This is their brain trying to block out the overwhelming feelings by latching onto something small and manageable. If someone seems suddenly obsessed with an insignificant detail, it could be their way of coping with anxiety.
13. Acting totally normal, but not really present
One of the most misleading signs of an anxiety attack is when someone looks completely fine on the outside. They might be smiling, chatting, or acting as if nothing is wrong, but internally, they’re struggling to keep it together. Many people with anxiety get really good at masking their feelings. Just because someone seems okay doesn’t mean they aren’t in the middle of a silent battle inside their head. At the end of the day, anxiety attacks don’t always seem obvious. Sometimes, the signs are subtle, unexpected, or completely hidden. Learning to recognise them can make a huge difference in supporting yourself or someone else when anxiety hits.
