8 Things You Should Never Say To Someone With An Anxiety Disorder
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

8 Things You Should Never Say To Someone With An Anxiety Disorder

As if these weren't obvious enough.

Dana Breslau
Nov 14, 2016
Chronic and Mental Illness
67
8 Things You Should Never Say To Someone With An Anxiety Disorder
theouttake.net

1. "Just take a deep breath and calm down."

Wow. Thanks so much for the advice! I definitely did not try to do that already. Telling me to calm down is like telling someone to stop sneezing or coughing if they're sick--it's kind of impossible.

2. "It's not that big of a deal."


ACTUALLY, IT KIND OF IS. You don't know what's going on in my head and, yeah, it could be the smallest problem to you, but to me, it's like the world is about to end.

3. "You're stressing out over nothing."


I have anxiety. Anxiety = stress. If you didn't already know that well-known fact. And you telling me that stressing out "over nothing" isn't helping me at all in the situation.

4. "What do you have to be stressed over? You're just a kid! You don't have worries!"


I can name a few things from a LONG list I have to be stressed out over. I'm applying to colleges, working a few days a week, going to school Monday through Friday, doing schoolwork, and a bunch of other things. Yeah, this may not compare to the things adults have to do, but right now, it's stressful and I will continue to stress, thank you very much.

5. "Other people have it much worse than you."


Yeah, sure, there are millions of people that could have it worse than me, but it doesn't feel like that right now. It feels like the entire world is out for me right now and right now, you're part of that.

6. "I understand how you feel."


Nah, no you don't. I mean, thanks for trying to get on the same page as me, but the reality is that you don't know how I feel. And I wouldn't wish this feeling on anyone else.

7. "It's all in your head."


Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't realize you had a microscope to see the inside of my head. If I would have known that, I would have asked you for advice sooner. Look, there is literally no way of you knowing what's going inside in my head, so stop trying to act like you know.

8. "Here we go again with your anxiety thing."


Wait, what does that even mean? What in the world is an "anxiety thing"? I'm so sorry that I can't control how I'm feeling! I'll try harder next time just for you.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Smith College
51431
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
waitlisted
Swoon

Navigating the Talking Stage: 21 Essential Questions to Ask for Connection

It's mandatory to have these conversations.

National Writers Society
117769
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
single life
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

Marist College
33008
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

University of Oklahoma
956020
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
family and friends
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

Beloit College
180972
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway
Photo by Abderrahmane Meftah on Unsplash

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less
school life

Trending Topics

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments