11 Things People With Anxiety Want You To Know

 / 

,
Things People with Anxiety Want You Know

Seeing people with anxiety is very common these days. We all experience anxiety before exams or crucial business conferences when facing danger or first dates or any other important life events. 

That’s quite normal (as it occurs due to fear and worry) unless a person shows disproportionate amounts of anxiety to an extent that it tends to interfere with activities of daily living and hampers the quality of life.  Unfortunately, anxiety is taking a severe form in this digital era!

In the US. anxiety is the most common mental illness, affecting 40 million adults (age 18 years and above). Every year 18.1% of the population is affected. Although it’s a treatable illness only 36.9% of those suffering are receiving treatment. An estimated 31% of all adults will experience an anxiety disorder at some point in their life. (Anxiety and Depression Association of America, 2020). Currently, coronavirus and lockdown are the major causes of the rising rates of anxiety disorders across the globe. 

Related: Coronavirus Anxiety: 5 Things You Can Do To Beat It

What starts as simple stress and restlessness turns to severe anxiety disorder and is caused by a complex set of factors including genetics, personality,  life events and brain chemistry.

There are various types of anxiety disorders (that cause more than just worry, and stress) including generalized anxiety disorder (workplace issues or personal health), social anxiety disorder (arising from social interactions), obsessive-compulsive disorder (due to phobia or a specific aspect of life), separation anxiety disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (caused by trauma), that can affect people in a range of ways.

There are several myths and misconceptions about anxiety and people with anxiety. While some people think it’s a temporary problem, some think anxiety isn’t a real problem and some presume that people with anxiety are just trying to seek attention, and others think medication is the only solution. Wish to know the truth?

Here’re 11 Things People With Anxiety Want You To Know

1. The symptoms of anxiety are not just internal — they’re physical, too.

anxiety are not just internal

Anxiety can wreak physical havoc on your life in the form of headaches, insomnia, muscle pain, panic attacks, and more.

2. …but internal symptoms are just as debilitating.

people with anixety

Anxiety is an invisible illness that may not be seen but is certainly felt. When you deal with anxiety, there’s no separating yourself from the symptoms. You carry the misery in your thoughts, your choices, your relationships, yourself. And sometimes, that weight is so heavy that it feels physical.

Related: Stress Triggers and Anxiety by each zodiac sign and how to deal with it

3. There are several different types of anxiety — and even those can manifest in different ways.

different types of anxiety

The most common disorders are generalized anxiety disorder, which involves chronic, irrational worry about day-to-day things, and social anxiety disorder, which involves a fear of social situations and other people, whether interacting with them or fearing judgment from them, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. There’s also panic disorder, which involves sudden and repeated attacks of irrational fear (aka panic attacks), plus intense worry between those episodes.

Related: What It Really Means To Break up With Someone With Anxiety Disorder

All that said, even people with the same anxiety disorders experience symptoms differently — so don’t presume to know what someone is going through. Anxiety is not one size fits all.

4. We cancel plans last minute not because we’re jerks, but because some days we wake up and can’t imagine leaving the house.

cancel plans last minute

Taking time away from work/friends/obligations doesn’t mean we don’t like being social…it just means sometimes we need a break.

5. Meditation and relaxation techniques do not work for everyone.

Meditation and relaxation techniques

While these techniques sometimes do help alleviate symptoms, suggesting them as a cure-all can be incredibly frustrating for someone with anxiety.

Related: Can Mindfulness Meditation During Coronavirus Outbreak Keep You Safe?

6. Finding the right therapist who is both effective and covered under your health insurance can be such a daunting and difficult task that many people give up on getting help.

Finding the right therapist

While mental health is partially covered, it’s hard for people without health insurance or who cannot afford co-pays to make their mental health a priority.

7. A lot of people who have anxiety also suffer from depression.

anxiety and  depression.

The two exhausting, debilitating struggles can come hand in hand. Nearly one-half of people who are diagnosed with depression also have an anxiety disorder.

Related: Music Therapy for depression – how can it heal you?

8. Requests we make that might make us seem uptight are actually things that make us feel safe.

requests we make

Like if we ask who’s going to be at the party you invited us to or if we want to make an exact plan rather than ~winging~ it. Uncertainty and open-endedness can exacerbate anxiety, so details that seem insignificant are actually huge help.

9. Anxiety can make you question relationships completely irrationally, so please don’t take it personally if we express doubts sometimes.

people with anxiety

Having anxiety can mean anything from questioning if your friend actually wants you to go to the movies, to wondering if you’re really loved. So reminding us that we’re important to you might seem like it’s obvious…but it’s super important.

10. Anxiety doesn’t need a reason.

Anxiety doesn’t need a reason

People with anxiety and panic attacks can have a pinpointed cause (like a job interview, exam, or breakup) or they can occur essentially out of thin air. Having anxiety means you might not always be able to understand why you feel the way you do.

11. Suffering from anxiety doesn’t make you weak, and it doesn’t make you damaged goods.

Suffering from anxiety doesn’t make you weak

Having anxiety, or any mental illness, doesn’t make you any “less” of a person. It just makes you.

All this week, we’re talking about mental health. If you enjoyed this post, share it with your friends and let us know your thoughts in the comments. 


Frequently Asked Questions (Faqs)

Does generalized anxiety disorder go away?

Generalized anxiety disorder doesn’t go away on its own. Instead, it can get worse if you leave it untreated. GAD is treated with medication, psychotherapy, or both. 

Is OCD the worst anxiety disorder?

OCD is one of the major types of anxiety disorder and extreme anxiety is called phobia. 

How to deal with anxiety and panic attacks?

You can try different types of breathing techniques, yoga, and meditation to put your racing mind to rest. If your anxiety and panic attacks are interfering with your daily function, then please seek professional help.

What is the main difference between generalized anxiety disorder and phobic disorder?

A generalized anxiety disorder is an exaggerated anxiety, worry, or tension about a wide range of situations in a day to day life. On the other hand, a phobia is the fear of a specific situation or an object.

11 Things People With Anxiety Want You To Know
Things People with Anxiety Want You Know Pin

— Share —

— About the Author —

Responses

  1. Danielle Avatar
    Danielle

    All facts ❤️

    1. Editor Avatar
      Editor

      Thank you so much Danielle for your comment. I’m glad that you found the post helpful. Hope you are safe and well.

Leave a Reply



Up Next

Waking Up Feeling Anxious In The Morning? How To Deal With Morning Anxiety

Morning Anxiety: How To Deal With Anxiety After Waking Up

Do you experience anxiety after waking up in the morning? A terrible anxiety in the morning you just don’t know how to deal with it? Well, you’ve come to the right place. This article is going to talk about morning anxiety and how to deal with morning anxiety, so that your mornings feel more relaxed, calm and peaceful.

If you commonly wake up in the morning filled with anxiety, you are not alone. Many people wake up with fight-or-flight sensations and feel baffled as to how they can already feel anxious when their feet haven’t even touched the floor yet.

A variety of factors can play a part in morning anxiety: excess stress,



Up Next

13 Ways To Quiet A Worried Mind

Ways To Quiet A Worried Mind

In the hustle and bustle of modern life, it’s easy for our minds to be overloaded with worrisome thoughts. So, how to deal with anxious thoughts? Here are 13 effective ways to quiet a worried mind, offering you the serenity and clarity you need to navigate life’s challenges with ease.

Our minds are basically recorders that play (and replay) their soundtracks all day long, sometimes all night long too. Some people have recordings that tend to be more pleasant and present. Some people’s thinking patterns lean towards the optimistic or realistic side.

Others, not so much. Many people are plagued with worrisome thoughts that lead them to feel chronically stressed, anxious, dep



Up Next

Is Your Child Anxious? 3 Anxiety Symptoms In Children You Shouldn’t Ignore and How To Help

Anxiety Symptoms In Children You Shouldn't Ignore

Does your child struggle with irrational fears and worries? While these could be a normal part of growing up, they could also be signs of something more serious. Let’s take a look at anxiety symptoms in children.

As parents, we often strive to create a safe and nurturing environment for our children, but sometimes, we may overlook the subtle signs of mental health issues that they exhibit. Today, we are going to shed light on what causes anxiety in children, its signs, and how to treat anxiety in children.

By understanding these crucial aspects, we can provide the support and care our children need to navigate their anxiety and flourish.

What is Anxiety in Children?



Up Next

6 Hallmarks Of A High Strung Personality: Navigating the Taut Wire

Signs Of A High Strung Personality

Do you ever feel like you’re wound up like a tight spring? If your answer is yes, then chances are you have a high strung personality. You feel like you are on the edge all the time and only a little flick will throw you off.

Stress and anxiety are your best friends, and no matter how much you may try to relax and let go of your uptight nature, it just doesn’t seem to work. However, don’t think that there’s something wrong with you. You are a perfectly normal human being, who just feels a bit more anxious than other people (stop being too hard on yourself!)

Today, we are going to talk about what does being high strung really means, what causes high strung personality, and how to stop being high strung. Let’s first talk about what is a high strung personality.



Up Next

Debunking Anxiety Myths: 9 False Beliefs About Anxiety That You Shouldn’t Fall For

Anxiety Myths: Lies You've Been Told About Anxiety

Do you often feel anxious or have worries that seem to consume your thoughts? If so, you may be suffering from anxiety. Unfortunately, anxiety is often misunderstood, leading to the perpetuation of various anxiety myths and misconceptions.

Anxiety is a common experience that affects millions of people worldwide. Today, let us delve into the realm of anxiety myths, debunking them one by one to shed light on the truth behind these widely held misconceptions. 

So, let’s embark on this journey together and challenge our preconceived notions about anxiety.

9 Anxiety Myths You Must Know About

Ready to debunk common



Up Next

Know The Key Variances: 7 Major Differences Between Anxiety And Stress

Understanding Major Differences Between Anxiety And Stress

Whenever you feel overwhelmed or frazzled, you tend to chalk it up to being stressed out. Even though it is definitely possible, sometimes there’s more to it than stress. In this article we are going to talk about a couple of differences between anxiety and stress.

Anxiety and stress might appear like two peas in a pod, but they are more like distant cousins at a family gathering. For sure, they have similarities yet each has its own unique symptoms.

So, let’s explore the differences between stress vs anxiety, and find out more about them. But first, let us understand what they mean.



Up Next

Butterfly Hug Method: 6 Remarkable Benefits of Hugging Yourself for Anxiety Relief

The Butterfly Hug Method: Benefits Of Hugging Yourself

If you’re someone who deals with anxiety on a daily basis, you will agree that anxiety often seems like an unwanted guest. It burdens you and makes it difficult to be at peace with yourself. But what if I told you that there was a really nice and effective method to deal with such tumultuous moments? I’m talking about the butterfly hug method.

The butterfly hug technique is considered to be a gentle and effective means of calming anxiety. With its roots in trauma therapy, this method has earned recognition for its capacity to offer solace and alleviate distress.

In this article, we are going to explore the b