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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
Anonymous
September 19th, 2017 2:49am
To be honest, it's going to be different for everyone. However, most people seem to feel relieved to have a name for their feelings, and a professional diagnosis often reassures them that they are not imagining their symptoms. Of course, having that diagnosis also makes treatment feel more deserved (not that only diagnosed people deserve treatment, but having a diagnosis means there's one fewer thing holding you back from treatment).
Anonymous
December 12th, 2017 12:49am
Being diagnosed with anxiety doesn't really ruin my life knowing that it is treatable and that their are things out there to help manage it.
sweetSnow90
January 8th, 2018 7:29am
That depends on your perspective. It can have a devastating impact, that's for sure but only you can decide if it has ruined your entire life or not. Many people live with anxiety everyday and can say they have happy times :)
AmethystUnicorn
February 6th, 2018 1:05pm
I don't think it ruins your life at all!! I think it just means you have one extra obstacle; sure it can be difficult and make things harder than they could be without it. But it makes you stronger!! It makes you learn how to deal with panicky feelings. In reality you will be able to manage a lot more than other people might. It may feel as if it's ruining your life, but it gets easier to manage :)
HumbleHug00
February 13th, 2018 3:03pm
Heck, Deck, Wreck NO! Nothing can ruin your life as long as you never lose the faith in being the best human being you can be, and having the best time of your life every second. No matter what you're diagnosed with, live life to the most fun, work hard for what you love for the most, and never give up. :) :) :)
TryingmybestElsa
April 17th, 2018 3:18pm
Why would it? If you've been diagnosed with anxiety, it's because you had it in the first place. A diagnosis won't change that. It helps therapists classify problems and sometimes it helps people feel less alone, but there's not such thing as "Anxiety." We all experience it a bit differently, it comes from different places, is triggered by different events and situations etc. "Anxiety" is just a word. It doesn't have the power to ruin anything in its own. I think the real question should be: "How do I deal with getting diagnosed?". And it's really hard to answer to that. I dealt with that too. And all i can tell you is to try to remember that you're not your diagnosis.
Anonymous
July 10th, 2018 3:37pm
You are not alone with this diagnosis. Reach out to the community, like here on 7cups, and find others who are dealing with similar issues.
compassionateWaterfall27
July 17th, 2018 5:16pm
Being diagnosed with anxiety was one of the best things to happen to me. It validated that what I was feeling was real, and that I shouldn't be embarrassed about it. It is also the first step to learning how to cope with your anxiety.
nerdylistener
October 8th, 2018 7:34pm
Begin diagnosed with anxiety does not ruin your life. Yes, it can be a struggle, but this isn't the end of the world. You can learn to cope with anxiety, even if it feels like your life is crashing down around you. You can find coping skills that will help. You can find support systems. There are many ways that you can work through your anxiety. I will say that anxiety can only ruin your life if you let it. You must keep moving forward. This doesn't define you. You may have anxiety, but you are not anxiety, you can't believe that. Keep your head up.
Anonymous
March 30th, 2020 9:52pm
Being diagnosed with anxiety in not something that ruins your life. It is simply something that you have. You can still do your everyday activities all the same, nothing changes. Thinking that anxiety can ruin your life will only worsen it. I suggest always taking a few deep breaths when you need it, and try to stay positive. Dredging up bad experiences from the past or imagining scary scenarios in the future will just heighten your anxiety. Distract yourself, meditate, go out with friends. It will help you more than you think and eventually it will be like you never had anxiety in the first place.
WarmEnergy07
May 30th, 2015 5:09pm
Absolutely not!!! There are many therapeutic and drug interventions to assist anyone who has been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder as well as many other people experiencing the exact same struggles.
Courage
October 26th, 2014 10:11pm
I don't think it RUINs your life, but it changes it. Some places it will make you stronger, and in others, it can make you unable to move.
caitlinrose24
October 25th, 2014 1:08am
Some days can be very difficult. But as a person living with anxiety, I can tell you it is definitely possible to live a successful and fulfilling life even with anxiety. Anxiety will not ruin your life.
Uniqueg
October 23rd, 2014 9:18pm
No, there are many options that can help you cope with your anxiety, maybe you can talk to your doctor or a therapist about your options!
Nini108
October 22nd, 2014 5:10pm
Sometimes it can feel that way but remember you are in control of yourself and you have the power to make the choices you wish to make. Our anxiety guide will provide some information and soothing techniques to help you through your diagnosis.
heretohelp176
October 21st, 2014 3:19am
Being diagnosed with anxiety does not ruin your life. It may make things a little harder for you than it is for other people but that does not mean your life will be ruined I promise.
psychozin
October 7th, 2014 4:14pm
mostly not, especially when we understand about how people mind controlled each aspect in our physical body
Anonymous
September 24th, 2014 8:41pm
No, it doesn't ruin your life. It's difficult but you have to learn how to live w/ it & overcome it.
Laura94
April 21st, 2015 9:59pm
No, not at all. Like myself, I suffer with mild anxiety and have to talk medication for it only when I NEED to. It is actually "better" in that you know why you're feeling a certain way and what things can trigger a certain emotion in you so you're not left with questions and confusion about how you're feeling. Also if you tell close friends and family about your diagnosis then they won't treat you any differently at all. In fact it'll help explain to them why you don't want to do a certain thing like go to a certain social event or be in a crowded room or whatever makes you feel this way. It's not all bad.
Mercedine
September 14th, 2014 11:17pm
Absolutely not. It may even help to discover that you aren't alone, or 'crazy'. Once your problem has a name, and it's been identified, that's when you can really begin to get help, and change it.
EnchantedPepper
May 3rd, 2015 12:32am
Not at all. After all, knowledge is power. If somebody is diagnosed with an anxiety disorder then they know what they're dealing with. The next step is to research how to deal with the anxiety, use anxiety forums for peer support and of course coming here to talk to a listener can help somebody with anxiety to move forward.
yourvision
May 6th, 2015 9:50am
No it does not. Being diagnosed with anything does not define someone as who they are, or who they will be. To let something like a diagnosis become a limiting factor in how you or anyone else will run their life is not an option. Use what you have, everyone is unique, everyone has something they can apply, everyone has something they can use, and everyone has "problems". No one is perfect, if you are diagnosed, its simply finding out that you have another stepping stone to get over. Does it ruin your life, only if you let it, so, stand tall, stand strong, and don't let something that many people struggle with stop you from becoming a great, and powerful person!
treesprite7
February 1st, 2016 9:07am
Wow this is a really great question because it actually does the exact opposite. Being diagnosed with anxiety means you now know what is going on with you and allows you to start dealing with it and learning how to cope with it. Being diagnosed with anxiety means there isn't something wrong with you. Being diagnosed with anxiety means you are not alone, it's okay to need support, others are struggling with you and will help you along the way. Being diagnosed with anxiety will help you take better control of your life.
Anonymous
June 18th, 2015 6:01am
It can feel like it does at first but once you learn to manage it you will be fine. I use to suffer from severe anxiety and would have a panic attack at least 3-5 times a week. Relaxation techniques saved me
LightACandle
August 4th, 2015 2:22am
I cannot answer from experience but theoretically, it should HELP you. With a diagnosis you can get more accurate help and even medication.
Anonymous
August 31st, 2015 10:35am
At first it is a bit overwhelming but you learn to accept it as part of who you are and with proper management and self care it makes it easier to overcome and live with
Kataynb
October 19th, 2015 2:17pm
No, being diagnosed with anxiety can give you a clear view on your self and you will be officially be able to look for the correct help for yourself
Anonymous
September 10th, 2014 9:02pm
From my experience, it does not have to. Having a diagnosis is one of the steps in getting professional help and treatment, and this treatment may be able to make a significant difference. Having a diagnosis may help with accessing information on mental health problems specific to a person and with finding other people who can relate to your experiences.
Kattybell86
October 26th, 2015 11:28am
Not so much ruin my life. It has been very stressful especially when it involves a panic attack. I don't like feeling that way as I'm sure that relates to everyone. I just have to remember to breathe slowly. That's usually helps.
MarinaGrace
November 4th, 2015 3:48am
anxiety can only ruin your life if you let it, being diagnosed is the first step to learning how to deal with your anxiety and a road to recovery, learning triggers etc, being diagnosed is a positive not a negative remember that, itd make you more anxious not knowing what was making you feel like you were :)