Experiencing anxiety when witnessing conflict or arguments involving other people is a relatively common reaction. There are several potential reasons why this happens:
Empathy: You may be a highly empathetic person, meaning you can easily put yourself in the shoes of others and feel their emotions intensely. When you see people arguing, your empathy kicks in, and you start to feel their stress and tension as if it were your own.
Fear of Conflict: Some individuals have a natural aversion to conflict due to past negative experiences or upbringing. Witnessing conflict triggers this fear response, leading to anxiety.
Sensitivity to Negative Energy: People who are highly sensitive or attuned to the emotions and energies of those around them might be more prone to anxiety in such situations.
Learned Behavior: If you grew up in an environment where conflict was frequent or aggressive, it could have conditioned you to become anxious in similar situations.
Fear of Escalation: There might be a fear that the argument will escalate and lead to physical violence or emotional harm, even if there is no evidence to support this concern.
Feeling Helpless: When you are not involved in the argument, you might feel helpless and unable to intervene or resolve the situation, which can lead to anxiety.
Mirror Neurons: Mirror neurons in the brain can cause us to imitate the emotional expressions and feelings of others. When we see people angry or upset during an argument, our mirror neurons may activate, causing us to experience similar emotions.
To cope with this anxiety, consider trying the following strategies:
Self-awareness: Recognize and acknowledge your feelings of anxiety when witnessing conflicts, and understand that it's a natural reaction for some people.
Breathing exercises: Practice deep breathing or mindfulness techniques to help you stay calm and centered in tense situations.
Set boundaries: If possible, remove yourself from the situation or distance yourself emotionally to minimize the impact on your well-being.
Focus on positive aspects: Shift your attention to positive and calming thoughts to counterbalance the negative emotions.
Seek support: Talk to friends, family, or a therapist about your feelings and anxiety triggers.
Develop conflict resolution skills: Learning constructive ways to deal with conflicts can give you a sense of empowerment and reduce anxiety in such situations.
Limit exposure: If you know that witnessing conflicts is a significant trigger for your anxiety, avoid situations where arguments are likely to occur or limit your exposure to them.
Remember, it's okay to feel anxious, but if your anxiety is overwhelming or significantly impacting your daily life, seeking professional help from a therapist or counselor may be beneficial. They can help you explore the underlying causes of your anxiety and provide personalized coping strategies.