user28271: There are many similar questions to this, like Problems with chess anxiety, or How to relax when playing chess, but though they seem to be tackling the same question, I feel like my situation is still a bit different.
To start off, playing chess in general, during games, gives me a lot of anxiety.  It isn't just stress or feeling overwhelmed, but a really overwhelming anxiety I can't figure out how to get rid of.  During any game of chess, my heart rate starts going really up and I can feel it pounding fast and loud in my chest the whole game, my stomach knots really uncomfortably, and I tremble a little bit.  But the thing is, it's not like I'm so nervous because I'm worried about losing—not at all.  I can't pinpoint why I feel so nervous.  (When I lose, I have less a reaction than when I win.)
During all these games, I try to suppress the anxiety because it's affecting my gameplay, and I know that the game isn't really important, I tell myself it's a game, I'm moving pieces on a chessboard.  And heck, I'm just as nervous when I play unrated games or unlimited time control.  It's like the anxiety is just default.
Well yeah, that's my question.  I really love chess even though I'm not very good at it; when I watch people play it on Youtube or I go through some puzzles, it's really fun, and I always wished I could play chess more freely because I do really want to, but the anxiety's holding me back and I don't know how to unblock it or what's causing it.

user13674: Stress management in a chess tournament was addressed in this forum by Ritesh Singh Feb 1, 2018. The following is nearly verbatim from his comment.
It can be captured in one word: Equanimity. Or, in other words,     detachment with results. You should try to make yourself as unconcerned
as possible with the result of your game / match / tournament.
This is by far the most effective way of dealing with stress in any
situation,  whether related to chess or otherwise. Furthermore, if this
is not done, that is, if there is a lot of attachment with, and concern
about the results, no amount of breathing or walking will reduce the
stress with any degree of significance.
The following three verses from the Bhagvad Gita perfectly summarize the attitude that you need to have. They frequently help me in dealing with stress / anxiety / concern in my own life.
English Translation: You have a right to perform your prescribed duties, but do not consider yourself entitled to the fruits of your actions.  Never consider yourself to be the cause of the results of your activities, nor be attached to inaction.
English Translation: One whose mind remains undisturbed amidst misery,
who does not crave for pleasure, and who is free from attachment, fear,
and anger, has a steady intellect.
English Translation: One who remains unattached under all conditions, and is neither delighted by good fortune nor dejected by misfortune, he is a sage with perfect knowledge.

user28279: I would say figuring out under which conditions the anxiety kicks in can be an interesting challenge for you, which should help you figure a plan to deal with it.
So:

clock vs. no clock - really no difference?
vs. friend and vs. stranger - any difference?
OTB vs. online
you say puzzles/tactics are not really a problem; how about competitive puzzle-solving such as puzzle battle on chess.com?
how about other games against another human being? sports? conflict in general with other people, be it trivial or serious (potentially physical)?
how about playing against a child?
against a girl or woman?
against a chess engine that you yourself operate?

My understanding of anxiety (and I most certainly suffer from it as well) is that it's a fear response. My guess would be that the chess anxiety is either a fear of conflict or an association with a deeper fear (of some kind of failure, with some terrible imagined punishment/consequence).

28271: <p>There are many similar questions to this, like <a href="https://chess.stackexchange.com/questions/14170/problems-with-chess-anxiety">Problems with chess anxiety</a>, or <a href="https://chess.stackexchange.com/questions/14350/how-to-relax-when-playing-chess">How to relax when playing chess</a>, but though they seem to be tackling the same question, I feel like my situation is still a bit different.</p>
<p>To start off, playing chess in general, <em>during games</em>, gives me a lot of anxiety.  It isn't just stress or feeling overwhelmed, but a really <em>overwhelming anxiety</em> I can't figure out how to get rid of.  During any game of chess, my heart rate starts going really up and I can feel it pounding fast and loud in my chest the whole game, my stomach knots really uncomfortably, and I tremble a little bit.  But the thing is, it's not like I'm so nervous because I'm worried about losing—not at all.  I can't pinpoint why I feel so nervous.  (When I lose, I have less a reaction than when I win.)</p>
<p>During all these games, I try to suppress the anxiety because it's affecting my gameplay, and I know that the game isn't really important, I tell myself it's a game, I'm moving pieces on a chessboard.  And heck, I'm just as nervous when I play unrated games or unlimited time control.  It's like the anxiety is just default.</p>
<p>Well yeah, that's my question.  I really love chess even though I'm not very good at it; when I watch people play it on Youtube or I go through some puzzles, it's really fun, and I always wished I could play chess more freely because I do really want to, but the anxiety's holding me back and I don't know how to unblock it or what's causing it.</p>
 13674: <p>Stress management in a chess tournament was addressed in this forum by Ritesh Singh Feb 1, 2018. The following is nearly verbatim from his comment.</p>
<p>It can be captured in one word: <strong>Equanimity</strong>. Or, in other words,     detachment with results. You should try to make yourself as unconcerned
as possible with the result of your game / match / tournament.</p>
<p>This is by far the most effective way of dealing with stress in any
situation,  whether related to chess or otherwise. Furthermore, if this
is not done, that is, if there is a lot of attachment with, and concern
about the results, no amount of breathing or walking will reduce the
stress with any degree of significance.</p>
<p>The following three verses from the <em>Bhagvad Gita</em> perfectly summarize the attitude that you need to have. They frequently help me in dealing with stress / anxiety / concern in my own life.</p>
<p>English Translation: You have a right to perform your prescribed duties, but do not consider yourself entitled to the fruits of your actions.  Never consider yourself to be the cause of the results of your activities, nor be attached to inaction.</p>
<p>English Translation: One whose mind remains undisturbed amidst misery,
who does not crave for pleasure, and who is free from attachment, fear,
and anger, has a steady intellect.</p>
<p>English Translation: One who remains unattached under all conditions, and is neither delighted by good fortune nor dejected by misfortune, he is a sage with perfect knowledge.</p>
 28279: <p>I would say figuring out under which conditions the anxiety kicks in can be an interesting challenge for you, which should help you figure a plan to deal with it.
So:</p>
<ol>
<li>clock vs. no clock - really no difference?</li>
<li>vs. friend and vs. stranger - any difference?</li>
<li>OTB vs. online</li>
<li>you say puzzles/tactics are not really a problem; how about competitive puzzle-solving such as puzzle battle on chess.com?</li>
<li>how about other games against another human being? sports? conflict in general with other people, be it trivial or serious (potentially physical)?</li>
<li>how about playing against a child?</li>
<li>against a girl or woman?</li>
<li>against a chess engine that you yourself operate?</li>
</ol>
<p>My understanding of anxiety (and I most certainly suffer from it as well) is that it's a fear response. My guess would be that the chess anxiety is either a fear of conflict or an association with a deeper fear (of some kind of failure, with some terrible imagined punishment/consequence).</p>
