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Does being diagnosed with anxiety ruin your life?

93 Answers
Last Updated: 04/13/2021 at 3:37am
1 Tip to Feel Better
South Africa
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Claudette Pretorius, MA Counselling Psychology

Licensed Professional Counselor

I know how overwhelming it can feel when you're having a tough time. I offer clients a space that is non-judgemental and empathetic whilst navigating these times together.

Top Rated Answers
Noah88
March 19th, 2015 1:54am
On the contrary, it can make it better. Being diagnosed when you have anxiety just means that you can focus on what will help and how to overcome it or work with it better, instead of feeling all the effects and not knowing what to do. It's always good to know what you're up against. If you meant that having anxiety could be ruining your life, I don't think so either. It won't be easy, but life never is. It's just important to know where you stand, what your limits are, and how to work with your brain and your anxiety instead of against it.
AgusD96
November 1st, 2014 4:20pm
No! On the contrary it helps because once you identify a problem, you can focus on looking for a solution.
Wes2
November 4th, 2014 9:08am
Absolutely not. Most people have anxiety in one form or another, it's very normal. In some cases, anxiety is actually very healthy. It's what motivates you to be productive, for instance. Some of the world's greatest and most innovative minds have also been our most anxious. Think of it as a blessing, but teach yourself the ways in which it can adversely affect your mindset, your behavior, and your relationships. That way you can keep an eye out for your triggers and keep your anxiety in check.
RaduMemete
November 4th, 2014 1:56pm
Absolutely NO ! When I had anxiety, I discovered a good part of it. Since my brain was always on alert mode, I was more focused and motivated to learn some things just to help keep my mind occupied. I found that I learned more efficiently and I was able to focus on some things more clearly. Don't forget about Yin and Yang because in every bad situation you will find something good to learn from.
Anonymous
September 22nd, 2014 9:07pm
No it actually makes your life better, due to the fact that it opens your eyes. With that information you can fix yourself more easily in my perspective!
Janelle88
September 29th, 2014 9:58am
No it does not ruin your life. Everyone has a little anxiety flowing through their veins. You can get it treated
Choral
October 25th, 2014 2:22am
Not at all. You just need to educate yourself on ways on how to deal with anxiety. You can find self help on our website or public libraries.
TropicalSeas91
November 20th, 2014 11:01am
No, if you are struggling with anxiety an official diagnosis can help you to manage it better, your therapist will be able to prescribe medication if necessary or treat it in other ways; ultimately the diagnosis can help to kick start the process of learning to live with and manage it.
Mayaisthename
November 15th, 2014 5:43pm
No not even close, it just means that you've gotten help and you moving forward, congratulations.
Zoso67
June 17th, 2015 3:58am
Quite the opposite. A proper and true diagnostic means that you are fully aware of the issue and can take many steps towards leading a happy and fulfilling life.
Dovah
April 30th, 2015 1:28pm
It can certainly be a tough time dealing with anxiety, however! It doesn't define you. There are ways to beat it, minimize its effects and cope with any sort of panic attack. A very simple one that works for some (but not all) people, is to simply act confident, and in time, you may yourself actually feel that way!
FeatherIce25
April 17th, 2015 5:18pm
It doesn't ruin your life but makes it easier. You now know what your problem is and you also know the solution to it. Just identify anxiety and apply coping methods.
alekplease
April 8th, 2015 1:55pm
Yes. It keeps me from getting comfortable with even my closest friends, and I worry unreasonably all day. After every lunch break, I sit through an entire class thinking, "What if THIS offended him? What if what I said to her wasn't the right thing?" I lose participation points in class because I'm too afraid to raise my hand. I wanted to ask the teacher if I could use the bathroom, but I ended up putting it off until the bell rang. I get palpitations when somebody stands next to my desk for too long. If I'm wearing earphones, and I hear laughter, my first assumption is I'm the joke. I panic when the teacher messes up my online grades and I have to confront them about it. And that isn't even the tip of the iceberg.
Anonymous
April 5th, 2015 11:54pm
After previously having anxiety, I believed it did ruin my life, but by talking to people in the same situation really helps you to get back on track :)
helena90
November 18th, 2014 7:41pm
No u don't believe it does it shows your strentgs asweell as your weaknesses and you just plan to live your life. Around them
neverletlifetakeyourspark
November 10th, 2014 10:23pm
Not at all. Nothing will ruin your life, unless you give it the power to. You are in control of your life.
Anonymous
September 10th, 2014 9:13pm
It definitely doesn't. Yes, it can be extremely hard to deal with, but there are so many treatments available and so much is known about anxiety that it is possible to live with anxiety and reduce the symptoms.
Anonymous
November 14th, 2014 2:57am
Yes, suffering from anxiety personally ruined my life for a couple of months. I could not sleep, concentrate at work or school, eat, and I would stay at home. I let anxiety control my life and realized I was missing out on the important things in life. I learned to relive my anxiety by working out, talking to my friends, and getting out of the house and doing acitivities I loved to do.
CoffeeTeaAndHonesty
March 27th, 2015 11:46pm
No, in fact, it does quite the opposite: it provides you with an open door to find the help you need and deserve.
Jennalovely2
October 20th, 2015 10:33pm
No it does not. Anxiety can be difficult but it IS manageable. Recognizing the warming signs of an oncoming panic attack can help to stop it before it starts. There are coping skills you can use. Anxiety will not ruin your life
Anonymous
April 3rd, 2015 4:58pm
It doesn't ruin your life at all! On the contrary, it allows you to have a support system to better manage the anxiety.
Anonymous
November 13th, 2014 9:31pm
no! being diagnosed was actually great for me because I learned how to deal with it and got to realize that I wasn't alone and that this was normal for others. for years I just felt that I was that weird kid but now it has a name and i am not alone. i have doctors to help me now and i know that others go through things that i thought were weird
Anonymous
November 17th, 2014 4:03pm
No , there are various different ways of controlling it such as imagery , diaphragmatic breathing and muscle relaxation
PeaceTrain
November 10th, 2014 10:48am
It doesn't. Actually, it let's you know your exact situation and lets you take the right action on time. Anxiety attacks can be successfully controlled by medical treatment.
flyingrl2012
November 9th, 2014 3:51pm
No. Even though dealing anxiety is extremely challenging, learning to manage and to overcome it is very rewarding.
Anonymous
November 7th, 2014 9:52pm
Not necessarily but it can affect a lot of aspects of your life, if left untreated, similar to all mental illnesses. I think once you find your coping mechanism, it becomes easier, the hard bit is though, is finding what works for you.
Anonymous
November 6th, 2014 6:25pm
Absolutely not! A diagnoses only gives a formal name to what you are already experiencing. And being equipped with that knowledge of yourself, you can begin to address the problem.
heyitssaf
November 5th, 2014 7:29pm
No, but you have to be careful not to give yourself over to that label and let it take over your life. Maybe a better perspective after the diagnosis would be to think, "okay, so the doctor confirmed that i deal with anxiety. This gives me more resources and knowledge to better understand myself, and therefore more power to overcome it."
NikiTaylor
November 4th, 2014 10:34pm
No. It can cause a stigma to have that diagnosis, sure, but I doubt many people will judge you for it since it's such a common condition. If anything, being diagnosed with anxiety can help you understand what's happening to you and lead you to find ways to help the symptoms you're facing.
KKGunner
November 4th, 2014 6:43am
No, if anything it helped me make sense of things. A diagnosis can offer relief, and explanation, clarity. But once you're diagnosed, it does kinda take over your life since no matter how people tell you "don't let your mental illness define you!" you start realising it impacts every part of your life and if it doesn't define you, it defines your life. But if you get misdiagnosed or you just have a shitty therapist or your friends and family just happen to be really mean to mentally ill people, then the diagnosis just sucks.