10 Things I Wish People Knew About Anxiety
It’s no secret that anxiety is something I’ve lived with for most of my life. I spent many years as a young child with paralyzing anxious thoughts that would cause me to just cry and cry. It wasn’t until I was an adult that I went from a self-diagnoses to a real official diagnosis by my therapist and primary care doctor. With the help of some great people in my life, I’ve learned to manage my anxiety so it simply doesn’t control me anymore. I still have moments but I’m able to come out of those moments much easier than before because of the tools I’ve learned.
Through my experiences, I’ve found that there are a lot of things I wish people knew about anxiety. I don’t speak for all people with anxiety - every experience is unique and different but I hope this helps you in some way, even if it’s just showing more grace to those you love with anxiety or accepting that words like anxiety and depression should not come with a stigma.
Anxiety doesn’t make me weak.
Let me say it again - Anxiety DOES NOT make me or anyone else weak. I’m actually incredibly strong and that’s in part because of everything anxiety has taught me.
The unknown is scary for me
The unknown can be one of my biggest stressors. Pregnancy often causes me a lot of stress because there are so many things that are unknown. I love my babies but my anxiety is much worse when pregnant.
I love the details.
Details! Every little detail matters to me, even the smallest things. Truly no detail is too small. It may seem so annoying to you but to me, it’s just helping to stay in control of the possible unknown.
I can’t control my anxiety attacks
Anxiety attacks happen and good-intentioned people will say “but that’s not happening” and “you don’t know that”
They are right - I don’t know if that thing would happen but I do know that at that moment that’s all my brain was focused on. I couldn’t shake it. This happens sometimes and I do have medicine to help during those moments, but it’s still hard.
I know that my thoughts can be irrational but that doesn’t stop my brain from spiraling out of control
There is a part of me that is fully aware of how irrational my thoughts are but this other part is much louder. It makes me feel like even though it may not be real right this second, that doesn’t mean it isn’t real tomorrow or the next day. Which brings in my fear of the unknown.
Certain tv shows, songs, or stories can trigger an anxiety attack
I saw something the other day about how people with anxiety love to watch the same shows over and over because they know what to expect and I felt that. I almost always google the ending of a show or movie before watching it. While most people hate spoilers - I LOVE them. Give me the bullet points and I’ll still enjoy watching it play out. I love the story NOT the anticipation.
I love control. LOVE IT!
I like to feel in control of a situation, and I like to be prepared for anything. By being in control I can make sure I’m overly prepared.
Medication is helpful but it doesn’t just take away all the pain
I have tools I can use to help - medication, meditation, breathing techniques, and more. While all of this helps it doesn’t solve everything. I still have anxious moments.
Anxious thoughts can paralyze me
I strive for perfection and if I mess up my anxiety can paralyze me. It can also cause me to pull away from those I love.
I really hope I don’t pass this down to my kids
I’m really good at coping with my anxiety and I don’t think this is a weakness but I really hope my kids don’t ever have to go through this. This is hard and I don’t ever want them to have to experience this. If they do though, I will be right there with them making sure they know they don’t have to walk through it alone.
