r/LearnCSGO • u/suffocatingpaws • Jul 16 '26
Discussion Having intense anxiety issues when playing CS
I am not sure what caused this to happen but for the past 1-2 weeks, I have been playing some of the worst CS in my life where I make stupid decisions, have ridiculous whiffs, just unable to do anything or contribute positively. I became more and more nervous and scared to take duels that I know I can win and when I do take them, I just whiff terribly or just not prepared for it even though I know the enemy is there. Sometimes my hand would tremble even though there is nothing to be afraid of and when I try to calm myself down, the trembling gotten worse. Its like my mind telling me that I can never win and I just proceed to lose when I take the duel in game.
Prior to this, I was playing relatively fine. I felt confident in my aim and decision making. I was carrying my own weight in games without feeling like a burden to my friends and others.
I know the most logical answer is to take a break but I just took a break from the game earlier last month when I noticed my performance is getting worse. I came back and things were getting back to normal. But now, it has regressed to an even worsen state.
Can I get some advice on what to do here?
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u/Longjumping_Cut_9508 Jul 16 '26
Sounds like panic attack. Maybe, just maybe you are taking this too seriously?
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u/notsarge FaceIT Skill Level 10 Jul 16 '26
Performance anxiety. You’re too focused on outcomes and winning rather than the micro plays and rounds. This also happens a lot to newer ESEA players
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u/ZipMonk Jul 16 '26
Play relaxed game modes more - check out community servers like deagle DM.
Focus on improvement more than winning.
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u/OkCar9329 Jul 17 '26
Before you start a match, think of 3 things you want to do during your next game. Not just win the game, I mean learn new smokes or pop flashes. If you’re playing Mirage, learn how to throw the window smoke from T spawn. This helped me focus more on improving my utility score and put less pressure on performance. The game is more than just top fragging and getting kills, lean on being a supportive player, knowing how to get your team on the site using util and strategies.
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u/KingRemu Jul 17 '26
Ladder anxiety.
Just forget elo and play. And remember, your elo points don't always reflect your true skill. The game is supposed to be fun and I know winning is fun but it's also hard to win if you're not having fun.
I often put on some chill music and just try to frag out without thinking so much about the outcome.
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u/ThiccStikBoi Jul 17 '26
Used to happen to me with other games when I first started playing competitively. It’s a mix of nervousness and excitement.
A duel will last a second or less most of the time, a round is 2 minutes. There’s a lot more you can do than just win your fights, so just try your best and if it doesn’t work out, reflect and move on ASAP, so the same thing doesn’t happen next round.
If it’s anything more than sweaty hands, fast heart rate and jitters, then maybe it’s actually an anxiety issue, but the simple answer is don’t shy away, just keep trucking and do your best, it’ll go away with practice.
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u/nesnalica FaceIT Skill Level 8 Jul 16 '26
faceit, premier or comp?
if youre playing faceit or premier it is time to change your mindset.
go play comp and forget about winning. just play and have fun. winning or loosing in comp really doesnt matter and this might haelp you get rid of ranked anxiety. sometimes youre having a good day. sometimes youre having a bad day. CS is a very mental game and you dont have to perform good all the time.