For someone who suffers from panic disorders, everyday life can be a bit challenging, so I can definitely say that there are quite a few things only people with anxiety understand. Todd Farchione, a clinical psychologist at the Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders at Boston University, says that “there are certain stigmas that society has created for anxiety sufferers, but even more opportunities to overcome them.” Even if you don’t suffer from anxiety, you should still pay attention to these next few things only people with anxiety understand, because this way, you will be able to be more supportive, more understanding and more caring. So, here goes:
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1. You Can’t Just Calm down
In my opinion, this is definitely one of the most common things only people with anxiety understand. Even if you try really hard and everyone around you tells you to calm down and relax, sometimes it’s extremely hard to do it, especially if you have a panic attack. On the other hand, you should know that there are a few techniques you can use when you’re feeling this way. With a bit of exercise, you’ll be able to master them in no time and you’ll know what you have to do to calm down when you’re feeling anxious.
2. Fear Has a Different Meaning
For someone who suffers from an anxiety disorder, fear definitely has a different meaning. Everyone is afraid sometimes and on certain occasions, it’s only natural to feel this way; for example, if you have to make a big speech or if you have to take an important exam. Well, for someone who suffers from a panic disorder, these day-by-day challenges can be pretty overwhelming and exhausting.
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3. Being Anxious is More than Being Stressed out
Being anxious is more than being stressed out, but apparently studies show that stress is a contagious emotion and that two people commiserating on the negative are actually doing more harm than good. Keith Humphreys, Stanford University psychiatry professor says, that “if you have two people who are anxious, they may feed off each other. If people have trouble controlling their own anxiety, try not to engage in that activity even if you think it might help.”
4. Over-thinking is Really Exhausting
Over-thinking and over-analyzing are really exhausting, but someone who suffers from anxiety just can’t help it. It’s actually a toxic circle where your worries become your thoughts and your thoughts become your worries. A lot of studies have found that ruminating on negative thoughts is “one of the biggest predictors of depression and anxiety,” and more often anxiety suffers tend to get “too lost in the negatives.”
5. Panic Attacks Are Always Surprising
Panic attacks always catch you off guard and they are never convenient. Sometimes they happen when you least expect them, for example, when you just leave your house on a sunny day to go take a walk in the park. This can often be completely debilitating, but there are quite a few techniques you can learn that will help you deal with your anxiety in a healthier way.
6. Other People’s Concerns Only Make Things Worse
Even if the people around you are well-intended when they notice that you’re not feeling too good, even if they are trying to help you calm down, they usually just make things worse. There’s nothing scarier than someone telling you that you don’t look so good, especially when there’s nothing wrong with you and you were actually feeling fine.
7. You Always Doubt Yourself
People who suffer from anxiety tend to doubt themselves a lot. Whether they doubt that they’ve closed the door (even if they’ve checked five times already), that they’ll get a bad grade on that important exam (even if they’ve studied a lot for it) or that other people won’t like them (even if they are extremely pleasant to be around), they always find a reason to doubt their abilities.
Dealing with anxiety on a daily basis is not easy, but there are quite a few things you can do to improve your well-being. Do you know any other things only people with anxiety understand? Please tell us about them in the comments section!
Sources: huffingtonpost.com, buzzfeed.com
Comments
Katie: ....overwhelming fear that you will lose someone close to you, etc. I know that I get very frustrated with myself, and anger is a common reaction. I get angry when I get scared. I get angry when something goes wrong. I get angry when I feel the need to go back home after I have already left for work, just to make sure the door is locked or my curling iron is turned off. I get angry when I can't sleep at night because of my racing thoughts and worries. And if you ask me what people think of me? Nobody even knows. Although I fear people notice and are always looking at me weird, I have been told that I hide it well. Unfortunately, only the people I love most, the people closest to me, know the truth. For someone to say that these disorders do not exist, need to open their eyes. Not everyone out there is as 'normal' as you. This is why I stand by the theory that you should be nice to every person you come across, as everyone is fighting some kind of inner turmoil of their own.
Charisse: I suffer from anxiety and have been for 5+ years now. this article does a good job of pointing out just a few things people like me have to endure on a day to day basis. from anxiety attacks to doubt to worrisome thoughts, having so much anxiety can really be debilitating. so many people fail to realize that and don't choose to educate themselves. this article is a great start to that education. thank you.
Renee: anxiety is a horrible feeling. you can't control panic attacks and sometimes random things or conversations can send you into full blown attack. my old boss sent me into attacks almost daily. like can't breathe hide under the desk shaking attacks. I am glad he quit honestly.
nat: Everyone has anxiety. I don't believe it should be characterized as a disorder. Now it's just another thing doctors throw pills at.
Katie: 'Anxiety is an unpleasant state of inner turmoil'. I, myself, have suffered from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, which is an anxiety disorder, for years. Someone who has never been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder has no way to understand what a person who truly suffers from anxiety on a daily basis. Some people are nervous and worry a lot, true. Others, such as myself, experience that and so much more. A 'true' anxiety attack for me includes symptoms such as chest tightness, shortness of breath, unable to catch my breath, nausea and the inability to think straight. My mind does not work, I forget what I'm doing or what I need to do. Everything around me is a blur, and I can't hear, as if I am in a dream. I feel an overwhelming sense of dread. Then, eventually once it passes, I develop a migraine from the spike in my blood pressure and pulse. To live everyday planned out, from the route you will drive to and from work for fear of having to face something new, to hoping and praying you make it home without something bad, different happening. To have the or
flor: I've suffered from anxiety for as long as I can remember . everyone always said I was just a shy little girl .. what I didn't know is that I became shy bc of my anxiety . I have a passion fir all things beauty related yet I can't go to the mall bc I usually end up saying "I don't feel good" . what I mean is I'm dizzy , I literally feel lost , sometimes nauseous , extremely nervous confused and I can't think straight . trust me @nat anxiety is a disorder .
flor: I take an anti depression pill every single night bc if I don't I'll feel anxious the next day. If I ever go a couple of days without the pill I'll have an anxiety attack. I'll start shaking hyperventilating to the point where I get paralyzed I literally cannot talk move or even produce saliva ! the only thing I can feel is my heart beating and all I can think about is "if everything else is paralyzed how long is it gnna take for my heart to stop functioning too..." @nat it's ridiculous for someone to say anxiety is not a disorder .
youinspiremyinnerserialkiller: @leilah you do not get that anxiety is a mental disorder. you think everyone has bouts of anxiety, and that it should be called a personality quirk. well guess what? it. is. a. disorder. there is a huge difference between personality quirk and being controlled by regular bouts of anxiety which can ruin your life. also, people are not classifying everything as a mental disorder. that's an ignorant statement. if you want to hear the rest of what I have to say to form an argument against my reply, look at my comment directed at nat.
QueenJ: Does anyone know a way to stop having anxiety . Just recently my anxiety attacks have resurfaced
Ally: why are some paragraphs cut off??
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