“Am I Losing My Mind?” When Anxiety Makes You Fear Going Crazy

You’re going about your day when a strange, unsettling thought hits: What if I’m losing it? What if I’m actually going “crazy“?

This could show up during a stressful moment, or in the quiet right before bed. Maybe it’s a thought you’ve had more than once-but every time, it brings a wave of fear. It’s hard to shake. And the harder you try not to think about it, the more it seems to take over.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. The fear of “going crazy” is actually a very common experience among those dealing with anxiety, essentially as a variant of Health Anxiety: Mental Health Anxiety. And while it can be incredibly distressing, it’s also very treatable.

Let’s discuss what this fear is, why it shows up, and how therapy can help you move past it-especially if you’re seeking support near Glendale, Torrance, or anywhere in the greater Los Angeles area.

What Do People Mean by “Going Crazy”?

“Going crazy” isn’t a clinical term-it’s more of a catch-all phrase people use to describe the fear of losing control of their mind. For some, that might mean a fear of behaving irrationally, not being able to trust their thoughts, or even disconnecting from reality altogether. Others fear they will become someone that is completely in contradiction to their current lifestyle and values, such as a violent sex offender, terrorist, or murderer.

But the key point is this: just worrying about going crazy is not a sign that you actually are. In fact, this worry often merely points to something else entirely-anxiety.

Why Do I Keep Worrying That I’m Losing My Mind?

There are several ways anxiety can make you fear you’re mentally unraveling:

1. Panic and the Feeling of Losing Control

Anxiety and panic attacks can come with a cascade of physical symptoms-racing heart, chest tightness, shortness of breath, dizziness, or a feeling of detachment from yourself or your surroundings.

When these symptoms hit, it’s easy to feel like something’s really wrong. You might think, “I’m actually going crazy,” when in reality, you’re experiencing your body’s natural (but intense) stress response. These episodes are frightening but temporary-and they’re not a sign of mental breakdown.

2. Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts

Sometimes the fear of “going crazy” comes from thoughts that feel disturbing or out of character. You might think:
What if I suddenly snap? What if I lose control? What if I hurt someone?

These are often called intrusive thoughts-random, involuntary mental images or ideas that seem to pop up out of nowhere. They’re common in anxiety disorders like OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder), and they don’t mean you’re dangerous or unwell. The anxiety doesn’t come from the thoughts themselves, but from how much meaning you attach to them.

3. Health and Brain-Related Worries

Some people who fear “going crazy” are actually grappling with health anxiety. They may worry that they’re developing a neurological illness like dementia or some kind of brain disorder. A headache or a forgotten name can spiral into catastrophic thoughts about losing cognitive function.

Why It Matters

The pace and demands of life in Southern California can be enough on their own to exacerbate mental health symptoms. The pressure to always be “on,” the overstimulation of urban life, and the constant demands on your time can all make anxiety louder-and harder to ignore.

If you’ve been trying to power through your worries alone, it might be time to get support.

How Can Therapy Help Me Feel Normal Again?

If you’re worried you’re losing your mind, one of the most helpful things you can do is talk to a professional who understands how anxiety works. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the most effective treatments for fears like this.

Our team’s therapists work with individuals in Glendale, Torrance, and across Los Angeles to help them understand their thoughts, reduce anxious symptoms, and stop getting caught in loops of fear.

In therapy, you’ll learn to:

• Recognize and defuse intrusive thoughts without giving them power
• Understand physical symptoms of anxiety so they feel less frightening
• Break the cycle of worry and mental “checking” that keeps fear alive
• Practice exposures, when helpful, to face fears in a safe, controlled way

With time, support, and the right strategies, your brain can learn to stop interpreting these thoughts as dangerous. And the fear that you’re “going crazy” will start to fade.