Working and Studying with Anxiety

🔊 Listen to Post

Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or professional advice. If you are experiencing persistent or severe anxiety, please seek support from a qualified healthcare or mental health professional.

Navigating productivity, expectations, and mental health in a demanding world

Anxiety is one of the most common yet misunderstood mental health conditions affecting people in work and education today. For those juggling employment, studies, caregiving responsibilities, or self-employment, anxiety can turn even simple tasks into overwhelming challenges. Despite this, many people continue to push through silently, fearing judgment, stigma, or being seen as “not coping”.

Working and studying with anxiety is not a personal failing, it is a reality for millions.

What Anxiety Looks Like in Work and Study Settings

Anxiety does not always present as visible panic. Often, it shows up quietly and persistently, including:

• Difficulty concentrating or retaining information
• Overthinking emails, feedback, or instructions
• Fear of phone calls, meetings, or live discussions
• Avoidance of asking for help due to fear of being judged
• Physical symptoms such as headaches, nausea, fatigue, or muscle tension
• A constant sense of pressure to “perform” despite feeling overwhelmed

For students and professionals alike, anxiety can create a cycle of self-doubt and burnout.

The Hidden Pressure of “Coping”

Many people with anxiety become experts at masking. They meet deadlines, attend lectures, run businesses, and care for others, all while internally struggling. This often leads to:

• Emotional exhaustion
• Increased risk of burnout
• Worsening mental health symptoms
• Feelings of imposter syndrome
• Guilt for needing adjustments or support

The expectation to function as if anxiety does not exist is unrealistic and damaging.

Studying with Anxiety

In education, anxiety can be triggered by:

• Assessments and deadlines
• Tutor feedback and grading
• Fear of asking questions
• Group work or presentations
• Phone calls or live chats with academic staff

Many students process information better in writing rather than verbally. Studies consistently show that people retain significantly less information from spoken communication compared to written material, especially when anxious. Written instructions allow individuals to re-read, reflect, and process information at their own pace.

Working with Anxiety

In the workplace, particularly for self-employed individuals and carers, anxiety is often compounded by:

• Financial pressure
• Job insecurity
• Lack of flexible working options
• Unrealistic productivity expectations
• Limited understanding from managers or clients

Remote and flexible work can be life-changing for people with anxiety, allowing them to work in environments where they feel safe and regulated.

Reasonable Adjustments: A Right, Not a Favour

When anxiety is recognised as a disability, individuals are entitled to reasonable adjustments. These may include:

• Communication via email instead of phone calls
• Written feedback rather than verbal
• Flexible deadlines or working hours
• Remote or hybrid working arrangements
• Recorded lectures instead of live attendance
• Advance notice of meetings or assessments

Insisting on phone calls or live communication when a person has disclosed anxiety can be counterproductive and, in some cases, discriminatory.

Coping Strategies That Actually Help

There is no one-size-fits-all solution, but practical strategies include:

• Breaking tasks into small, manageable steps
• Scheduling demanding tasks during lower-anxiety periods
• Using written communication wherever possible
• Setting clear boundaries around availability
• Practising self-compassion rather than self-criticism
• Seeking peer or professional support when needed

Most importantly, recognising limits is a strength, not a weakness.

Redefining Success

Success does not mean functioning without anxiety. It means finding ways to work and learn with anxiety, safely, sustainably, and with dignity.

With the right support, adjustments, and understanding, people with anxiety can thrive academically, professionally, and personally.

Conclusion

Anxiety should not be a barrier to education, employment, or independence. By creating more flexible, compassionate systems, and by respecting how individuals communicate and process information, we allow people to reach their full potential without sacrificing their mental health.

Further Reading & Resources

• https://disabledentrepreneur.uk/category/anxiety/
• https://disabledentrepreneur.uk/category/mental-health-awareness/
• https://disabledentrepreneur.uk/category/stress-anxiety-and-low-mood/
• https://disabledentrepreneur.uk/category/students-support/
• https://disabledentrepreneur.uk/category/work-life-balance/
• Student stress – NHS
• Rising Schoolwork Pressure: A Two-Decade Trend Among Welsh Learners – The School Health Research Network
• H-Workload3_AndySmith_studentworkload_camera+ready_final.pdf
• how_to_tackle_student_anxiety.pdf
• About student mental health
• The relationship between perceived academic stress and college students’ employment anxiety: the mediating role of psychological resilience – PMC
• (PDF) A Study of the Causes and Effects of Anxiety among Students in Higher Education
• Anxiety Activity Workbook – Printable CBT-Based Self-Help for School Anxiety in Kids and Teens – Free Social Work Tools and Resources: SocialWorkersToolbox.com
• Student life and mental health
• Mental health at work | Mind