Anxiety, as well as other mental illness, is something that not many people who want to discuss. The stigmas surrounding mental illness still exist, despite the push for comprehension and understanding of these invisible illnesses. In order to understand these illnesses, we have to talk about them. Here are few things that people with anxiety may want you to know.
1. Sometimes we have no idea why we're anxious.
It is extremely difficult to pinpoint the source of an out-of-the-blue panic attack. Asking someone over and over again what is wrong while they are panicking does not help the issue, instead, it makes them feel as if there is something seriously wrong with them because even they don't understand why they are panicking.
2. We may appear fine on the outside, but our minds are always racing.
Racing thoughts, jumping to the worst possible conclusions, and overthinking are just a few of the side effects of an anxiety disorder. It makes simple things difficult to enjoy due to the nagging thoughts in your head that something is about to go wrong.
3. The majority of people with anxiety wish they didn't have to take medication; please don't shame us for trying to be functional.
Shaming people for attempting to balance out the chemicals in their brain is one of the biggest issues with the stigma surrounding mental illnesses. If someone was sick, you wouldn't tell them to neglect their antibiotics, would you? These medications are no walk in the park, many cause unwanted side effects, but ultimately help an individual cope with their anxiety. Trust me, most people with anxiety wish they could just think more positively and fix their mindset as opposed to taking medication.
4. Anxiety manifest itself differently in different people.
Not everyone shakes and hyperventilates when they are panicking. Some people get angry, others cry, and some just completely shut down. It is not easy to spot when someone is suffering a panic attack.
5. Xanax is not something we take for fun.
Xanax has quite a bad reputation, and it's "party drug" label lately isn't adding that rep. But when someone suffers from serious panic attacks, this pill can be used to calm an individual down to the point where they can take control of their thoughts and take a step back from consuming thoughts of peril.
6. Our accomplishments seem minuscule, failure seems unavoidable.
When you suffer from anxiety, accomplishments seem like less of an achievement and become a matter of what you could have done better. An A- in a class you tried really hard in is terrifying, whereas most people would be content.
7. Just because you cannot see our illness does not mean it's all in our heads.
No, we can't just think happy thoughts and wish the racing heartbeat, quick breathing, and sweaty palms away. Just because we do not look physically ill does not mean we are well.
8. People with anxiety are often overachievers and perfectionist.
It is almost impossible to feel as if you achieved something. There is always the nagging thoughts of "I could have done better."
9. Panic attacks are terrifying.
Panic attacks are more than just a few moments of uneasiness. They cause hyperventilation, a rushed heartbeat, disorientation and many other side effects. Your brain is convinced a threat is being perceived and your body reacts by basically immobilizing you. The act of breathing becomes a chore and trying to pull yourself out of the attack is like climbing up a mountain.
10. It is hard to talk about anxiety (as well as other mental illness) due to the stigmas surrounding it.
Telling people you have anxiety is extremely difficult. Sometimes people think it's fake, an act for attention or simply an excuse. These stigmas are slowly being broken down, but it is still a challenging topic to bring up.
11. We do not want to be monitored or pitied if we tell you about our condition; it means we trust you enough to disclose why we are feeling or acting a certain way.
Just because someone has anxiety does not mean that they are crazy or need extra attention, it simply means that their bodies react differently to stressors than other people. If someone tells you they suffer from anxiety, don't treat them differently. They simply trust you enough to disclose something that affects their day to day responses to life.
12. Sometimes, we really just do not want to do anything.
Canceling plans seems like a mean thing to do, but when you suffer from anxiety, sometimes it's difficult to make yourself leave the comfort of your home. If you have a friend that just needs a personal day, do not get offended. Sometimes just getting out of bed is difficult when your brain and body don't want to work together.
13. Anxiety does not define you.
Hello, my name is Samm. Anxiety does not define me, it is simply an obstacle I work very hard to ease every day. I am more than my anxiety. I hope that you or someone you know benefits from realizing there is more to a person than their anxiety.
