I know I had anxiety as a child and definitely as a teenager, but once health issues flared and were fed by the anxiety, my anxiety got worse. Although I am older now and can see it and I recognize what is going on, I don’t think I really did when I was younger, I have found things that help, but I’ve also had to come to terms with what things help and what make it worse. Sometimes, I just don’t have a clue.
I’m an introvert anyway, but when my anxiety is involved, I require a lot more down time and I can’t handle anything else being added to my plate, no matter how small.
Other things about anxiety I wish others understood and that I also try to understand are:
·
It may seem irrational to you, but what I’m anxious
about is very real for me.
·
I never know when it’s going to hit me. And when it
does, I just need you to support me.
·
I’m not just blowing you off. It’s hard to make plans
and just as hard to talk on the phone sometimes. It doesn’t mean I don’t
desperately want to spend time and talk. I just can’t.
·
Don’t give up on me when I isolate myself.
·
Even when things are wonderful, I’m always waiting for
something horrible to happen.
·
When I’m being quiet, I’m not sad, bored, tired or
whatever else they want to fill in the blank with. There’s just so much going
on in my mind, sometimes I can’t keep up with what’s going on around me
·
I can’t just turn it off.
·
Sometimes when I’m feeling the anxiety, I have no idea
why I’m anxious.
·
Everything can change in less than 30 seconds. Too many
people in one area, no known exits in a certain situation — the list goes on.
·
For real — it’s not you, it’s me. Generalized anxiety
feels like drowning all the time. Most times life in general intensifies that
feeling. If I have a hard time making plans, don’t take it personally.
·
When you ask, ‘Are you OK?’ you might think I don’t
trust you when I say, “Yes, I’m good!” But in my mind, I think you’ll stop
seeing me as a kind, funny and calm person if you knew the truth.
·
Anxiety doesn’t have a ‘look.’ I don’t have to be
trembling or hyperventilating to be anxious.
·
I need you to reach out to me, even when I’m so anxious
I’ve stopped leaving the house. I need to know someone still cares and wants to
see me.
·
Don’t shut me out. My anxiety may stop me from doing
certain things, but just being asked to join in can sometimes make my day.
·
I analyze things constantly because of anxiety. I
cannot turn my brain off and it can be exhausting.
·
Anxiety is not an attitude.
·
It’s not your job to fix me. Please just love me the
way I am.
·
Most of the time you won’t know I’m having anxiety
unless I tell you,
·
If I’m not comfortable doing something, just let it go.
Don’t try to convince me — it makes it worse.
·
I’m not a flake. Sometimes anxiety stops me from doing
social things. I might cancel at the last minute, but it’s never out of
unfriendliness or being lazy. Know that if you need me, I’ll be there for you
in any way I can.
·
Please don’t tell me to just get over it or that I’m
being silly.
·
When I cancel plans with you it’s because I’m afraid to
admit I’m a heaping mess. It has nothing to do with you… and everything to do
with my panic attack.
·
Keep inviting me to group things even though I usually
decline. Some days I feel stronger than others, so my answer might surprise
you. Be patient.
·
Don’t take it personally when I don’t want to go out.
My comfort zone is my home. It’s my safe place.
·
When I say I can’t take on even one more thing, I
really need you to understand I really just can’t.
·
When I can’t do something, no one is more disappointed
than me. Please try to understand that.
·
Sometimes I just need to be alone. It’s not personal.
I’m not mad. I don’t have some problem. I don’t just need to shake it off and
do something fun. I just need to be alone so I can reset myself and breathe a
little.
·
I know it can seem ridiculous at time, but please,
please, please just love me through it
·
Give me some space, but don’t forget me
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