7 Things Only People with Anxiety Understand ...

Corina Jun 13, 2014

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:

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.

Frequently asked questions

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

Please subscribe for your personalized newsletter:

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.

Gallery Spotlight

Save and share the images that inspire you. Tag @allwomenstalk to get featured.

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

Feedback Junction

Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

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.

....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.

why are some paragraphs cut off??

This is so true. So true.

You've obviously never had an issue with anxiety @nat

I wish parts of this weren't cut off, I love this. I really wish society was more aware, it would help a lot on us that suffer from anxiety. it's not fun!!

As someone with chronic Generalized Anxiety Disorder,everything and I mean everything is a struggle,the constant overthinking and catastrophic thoughts,my anxious thoughts become so bad I become depressed and self isolate,the cycle is continuous,medication doesn't do crap. Am I just made to be a anxious mess? Getting a therapist or psychologist is hard af and the waiting lists are insane,i honestly have no idea how I do it,get up every morning even when I don't want to,and fake a smile even when I'm dying inside,it's honestly so exhausting

Maybe sending this to my boyfriend would be helpful for him to understand me a little better.

I get that anxiety is a mental disorder, but we all do get bouts of anxiety whether we actually have the disorder or not. I think we should stop classifying everything as mental disorders and instead call them different types of personalities. Some people get more anxious over things than others do, but there are also varying shades of gray in between. Also, if the paragraphs are getting cut off you should go update your app. it's just a bug.

Yh this is exactly me. So weird because 7 and 8 happened to me yesterday I've always suffered from social anxiety

EST 2005

Evolve. Empower. Elevate.

Creators on the platform
3,000+
Total social reach
12M+
Features published
100K+
New Earn badges & level up while you read

Create your profile. Earn badges. Level up your reading.

Join Allwomenstalk to track your streaks, collect badges, and earn XP for the things you already do—reading, sharing, and taking quizzes.

  • 🔥
    Daily streaks with gentle boosts for 3, 7, and 30 days.
  • 🏅
    Collect badges like Reader I–III, Socialite, and Quiz Ace.
  • ⚡️
    Earn XP for reads, deep reads, likes, comments, and shares.

It’s free. Takes 30 seconds. Already have an account? Sign in.

10,000+ badges earned last month

Level

3

Streak

7 🔥

XP420 / 700

Badges

🔥 On a Roll
📖 Reader I
📣 Socialite

Trending products

Other Cool Reads

Related Topics

paris riche stylo smoky shadow pearl 7 Reasons Why We Should Change the Way We Think ab... 7 Reasons Why You Shouldnt Worry Too Much about th... 7 Things to Stop Worrying over ... loreal paris riche stylo shadow amour 7 Career Lessons from Game of Thrones That You Sho... The Importance of Never Oversharing Again ... 7 Things You Should Give up to Be Happy ... tiquette habits 7 Good Things about Who You Are ...