What I wish the people in my life knew about anxiety.
Hi, I'm Olivia. I'm a listener here at 7cups and I have an anxiety disorder. My struggles with anxiety inspired by to start my journey towards supporting others and I found myself here.
I wanted to create a thread about things I wish people knew about anxiety, feel free to post with things you'd like to add.
1. I wish the people in my life knew that anxiety is not as simple as worrying. It is a physical, emotional, and mental experience that goes on everyday at unpredictable times.
2. I wish the people in my life knew that I try very hard to overcome my anxiety and panic attacks. It's hard to know how to cope all the time.
3. I wish the people in my life knew that I don't need or want to be fixed instantaneously, I just want their support.
I can't wait to hear what things you wish the people around you knew about anxiety.
I hope you feel less alone in your struggles.
if you need anxiety support please connect with a listener!
@Olivia210
I wish they knew that anxiety doesn't come from one little issue that is easily fixed. It's always someone asking "so what makes you have anxiety?" and I try to explain to them that anxiety isn't worry per say, and they just keep asking "Well, then tell me what's bothering you so it can go away?"
Anxiety normal worrying
@quietNight6288
Exactly this. Ugh. It is horrible when the issue in question is nothing that can be 'fixed', even though you hope against every hope that it could be.
May anticipation anxiety go hang its hat, by the way x.x
@Leccathu
yeah, like if my issue was that essay or something I would most likely be back to normal after it was done
@Leccathu
I love your thoughts here. I often wish there was a direct cause of my anxiety so that I can fix it. However, that is so hard. Thanks for being here❤️
@quietNight6288
exactly. Thank you for understanding me 💗 you aren't alone.
I wish people in my life knew that even though I know it's all in my head and my fears are in a way irrational I can't stop being afraid or anxious. It's a deep fear thats engraved in my mind and while we might both know its absurd, its still a fear that haunts me daily no matter how much I reassure myself that it's all in my head.
@blissfulSpring3953
We know our fears are irrational or far fetched, but we can't just turn them off! It's vastly different from a normal fear.
thanks for sharing your thoughts!! ❤️❤️
I will people in my life knew that they can't just ease my social anxiety by bringing people to me and forcing me to talk to them ... Thinking it would make me comfortable
@impartialFarm5793
Great point! Anxiety isn't an easy fix at all💗 here for you!
@Olivia210
Hey Olivia! I agree with all three of your points, they're all amazing and I really do wish people would understand. Along with those, I would like to add some more general points:
1. I wish that people would understand that anxiety isn't always something that people make up to get attention.
2. I wish that people would understand that anxiety isn't something that we can just stop or shut down. There are people who tell people to "just stop overthinking" or to "stop stressing."
3. I wish people understood that we don't always have solid reasons for feeling anxious. When people assume that we have nothing going on in your life that is worth getting anxious over, it can get really difficult.
@Paprika001
i agree! Anxiety is tough. I'm always here for you ❤️
@Olivia210
Aww thank you so much!