10 Comics That Perfectly Capture the Anxious Introvert’s Mind

an illustration from Marzi Wilson's book, Kind of Coping

Not all introverts have anxiety, and introversion and anxiety aren’t the same thing. Nevertheless, due to our penchant for overthinking, many, many of us introverts (as well as extroverts) struggle with some level of anxiety.

Maureen “Marzi” Wilson, creator of the popular comic series Introvert Doodles, is an introvert who has both generalized anxiety disorder and social anxiety. She recently released Kind of Coping, a relatable, inspirational (and often humorous) illustrated look at her life with anxiety.

“GAD is a persistent feeling of dread,” she told me. “It may have a trigger (like an upcoming test, or an unexpected bill), or it could strike out of nowhere without an external cause. Social anxiety can show up whenever I have to interact with other people. It feels like extreme psychological and physical discomfort, paired with invasive, negative thoughts.”

After the huge success of her illustrated book about introverts, Marzi felt it was important to define which of her behaviors were due to introversion, and which were symptoms of anxiety:

“I want to embrace my introverted nature while working to manage my anxiety in a healthy way. Doodling has always helped me clarify my experiences, and I thought others with anxiety might find the illustrations relatable.”

To “kind of cope” with her anxiety, she attends weekly therapy sessions, takes prescription medication, and does plenty of introvert-focused self-care. “Those things help, but they haven’t ‘fixed’ me,” she told me. And she’s clear that her book isn’t the antidote to anyone’s anxiety. “Kind of Coping doesn’t contain a top-secret ‘cure’ for anxiety. Rather, it’s a book designed to create a dialogue, to offer support, and to help those who are ‘kind of coping’ with anxiety feel less alone.”

Here are 10 illustrations from her book — an honest look into an anxious introvert’s mind. Can you relate?

Marzi’s Comics About Anxiety


1.

a comic from Marzi Wilson's Kind of Coping
Marzi Wilson/Kind of Coping

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a comic from Marzi Wilson's Kind of Coping
Marzi Wilson/Kind of Coping

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a comic from Marzi Wilson's Kind of Coping
Marzi Wilson/Kind of Coping

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a comic from Marzi Wilson's Kind of Coping
Marzi Wilson/Kind of Coping

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a comic from Marzi Wilson's Kind of Coping
Marzi Wilson/Kind of Coping

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a comic from Marzi Wilson's Kind of Coping
Marzi Wilson/Kind of Coping

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a comic from Marzi Wilson's Kind of Coping
Marzi Wilson/Kind of Coping

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a comic from Marzi Wilson's Kind of Coping
Marzi Wilson/Kind of Coping

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a comic from Marzi Wilson's Kind of Coping
Marzi Wilson/Kind of Coping

10.

a comic from Marzi Wilson's Kind of Coping
Marzi Wilson/Kind of Coping

Want more comics? Buy Marzi’s book on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Target; for international orders, find it on BookDepository.com

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