All my life I have been deemed as the "shy girl", the one who is always too timid around strangers. As I grew up, I accepted my bashfulness and learned to start coming out of my comfort zone. Yet, through traumas in my life, I felt something eating away at me, bit by bit. No, it wasn't my typical reserved nature, it was worse. It was something that consumed my everyday life and made it hard to function: Anxiety.
Accepting my anxiety was extremely difficult. I used to shove it to the back on my mind, until one day, it was too much to handle. Through acceptance, I started to take my first steps to controlling it and feeling more like myself. I would be lying to you if I insisted I don't suffer anymore. It's a constant battle I have inside myself, but I have learned to cooperate and try to heal each day.
If there is one thing I have taken away from my anxiety, it's that most people don't understand what I endure everyday. So, here's a list of things that I, and most anxiety sufferers, want you to know.
1. Getting frustrated with us only makes things worse
When you get upset with our anxiety, it only makes us feel worse. We're sorry for any inconvenience we may have caused you, but trust me, we already feel so guilty.
2. Sometimes we can't explain why we feel the way we do
Yes, we know it's irrational, but at the same time, we don't know how to make the fear go away. But, if you listen close enough with an open mind, you'll start to understand. It's just not that easy to spit out what's going on in our heads.
3. We can get overwhelmed and exhausted easily
It takes a lot to put on a brave face for you, or act normal when so much suffering could be going on. Sometimes, we need breaks.
4. Even if something is easy for you, it can be hard for us
Presenting in front of the class, ordering food, or even asking someone a question can feel like the hardest thing in the world for us. Don't poke fun or tell us, "just do it". We need your support more than your criticism.
5. We can feel physically sick from anxiety
Emotional symptoms are not the only toll we take in for anxiety. Sometimes, we can physically make ourselves sick from it. Anything from nausea, dizziness, to fatigue.
6. We acknowledge your willingness to listen
And, we are SO grateful! It's not easy to be patient and understanding with us. So, when you put in real effort, we know it, and we don't take it lightly.
7. Please take our feelings into consideration
Asking us if we're okay with certain situations or if there's anyway to make us more comfortable is a great way to start.
8. It's difficult to let things go
We wish we could just "let things go". No matter how big or small something is, it's not easy to move on from it so quickly. We hold on sometimes just to cope. These things take some time.
