How Anxiety Can Build Resilience
It can feel like we are living in an age of anxiety. Sometimes even hearing the word is enough to spark a sense of dread. But what if there were another side to it? What if struggling with anxiety or Generalized Anxiety Disorder (which affects about 3% of the U.S. population) could also reveal hidden strengths?
We spoke with Dr. Rohit Aiyer about how Anxiety can be reframed for the positives it can bring to one’s life and were excited to hear that studies show that individuals diagnosed with Anxiety have certain, studied strengths including greater resilience, sharper attention to detail, and deeper emotional strength.
Next time you are feeling frustrated with your anxiety, use this article as a reminder: an overactive mind can also be a powerful one. With the right support, such as lifestyle changes, therapy, or medication if needed, it is absolutely possible to manage your symptoms and thrive.
MBL: Can anxiety build resilience?
Dr. Rohit Aiyer: Yes. While intense anxiety can be overwhelming, when managed well, it can sharpen your ability to stay alert, plan ahead, and emotionally adapt. Learning to work with anxiety through therapy, coping tools, or self-awareness often builds long-term resilience.
MBL: Is anxiety genetic?
Dr. Rohit Aiyer: Partly. Anxiety tends to run in families, and research links it to genes involved in brain chemicals like serotonin and dopamine. However, genetics is only part of the picture. Your environment, relationships, and life experiences, known as psychosocial stressors, also play a major role.
MBL: Are people with anxiety better at some things?
Dr. Rohit Aiyer: They can be. Studies show that people with anxiety are often more detail-oriented, cautious, and emotionally perceptive. That heightened awareness can be an advantage in areas requiring sensitivity, creativity, or risk management. Anxiety becomes a clinical concern when it starts to interfere with daily life, but with the right strategies, many people are able to channel its sharper edges into real strengths.
The Bottom line is that anxiety can be difficult, but it is not without meaning or potential. With understanding, the right tools, and compassion for yourself, anxiety can become part of what makes you resilient, capable, and deeply aware of the world around you.
If you need any additional support managing your anxiety, reach out to us at mindandbrainlink.com/contact.
