Anxiety causes numbness or fading out. This is a method for the mind to shield itself from events that are too intense for our brains to grasp all at once. If you're feeling anxious about something, it might be helpful to simply do something else for a while- go for a walk, have a bath, call someone you trust. Zoning out is not being asleep or unconscious; it's when we focus exclusively on one thing until it consumes all our attention and energy. We feel like we're missing out on what's going on around us but we can't pay attention to everything at once. It's a defense mechanism used by people with anxiety disorders. If you start to feel like you're losing control, stop what you're doing immediately and engage with your environment again. This will help you avoid a panic attack. People who suffer from anxiety tend to think about their problems over and over again. This repetitive thinking creates more anxiety because you don't want to worry about something that may happen in the future. To stop this habit, try writing down your concerns before they take over your mind. Or ask someone you trust if they would be willing to talk with you about your issues face-to-face.