If you thought a hangover was bad – which it is, with the queasiness, headaches and feeling like you’ve been run over – there is such a thing as hangover anxiety, which could possibly be worse. Also known as ‘hangxiety’, Urban Dictionary defines it as “The feeling of overwhelming guilt, stress and worry you experience the day after a drinking binge”. While you might think it’s just another nonsensical millennial concept, it’s actually a legit condition that you may be prone to. Alcohol basically slows down your nervous system making you less anxious and uninhibited. The next day though, as the alcohol makes its way out of your body, the withdrawal messes with the levels of serotonin, the feel-good neurotransmitter in your brain, resulting in an uncontrollable wave of negativity and melancholy. While this commonly affects people who are already prone to feelings of anxiety and depression, people unaware of these tendencies might experience it as well. We know it doesn’t seem like a big deal, especially if you’re not prone to binges, but it’s still not a great way to feel. Plus, you never know just how bad it can get, and if it’s a common occurrence, you should definitely get help.
