Taking on life with an anxiety disorder can be such a huge challenge. Simple, everyday tasks sometimes seem all but impossible. For those who have never experienced this, it may be hard to understand what it's like to live with anxiety. Below is a list of just a few things that I'd like the world to know as a nervous girl.
1. Just because I'm quiet doesn't mean I am stuck up. Nine times out of ten, my anxiety is so high that speaking is simply out of the question. Believe me. I want to be friendly. I want to reach out and make a good impression on every person I meet. But for someone as nervous as I am, starting a conversation with someone new is just not something that comes naturally to me. Please don't be afraid to initiate a conversation with me, though!
2. Please excuse my constant foot shaking, finger tapping, and other nervous habits. Yes. I know it can get super annoying. I promise I would stop if I could. Most of the time I'm not even fully aware that I'm doing these things.
3. Forgive me if I need to be assured again. And again. And maybe again. I am just so incredibly unsure myself, so I cannot imagine someone making a solid, straight forward decision without changing their mind a couple hundred times. Speaking of making decisions...
4. Please don't ask me to make any big decisions. Like I said before, I don't think I have ever come across anyone on this planet quite as indecisive as I am. Just choosing what to have for lunch is always a huge struggle. So, please, for the sake of us both, don't ask me to make any decisions unless you absolutely have to.
5. Big crowds are not my place. I certainly do not consider myself to be antisocial by any means. But being around a ton of people is completely overwhelming for me and I always end up extremely anxious and feeling a little trapped.
6. Social gatherings - even small ones - can be a real struggle as well. Trust me. I want to be social! I want to spend lots of time out and around friends. But as someone who is constantly nervous, being a little introverted comes naturally to me. Any type of event that pulls me out of comfort zone leaves me completely exhausted.
7. I worry about EVERYTHING. When I say everything, I mean everything. I am constantly overanalyzing the small things and in turn, I am constantly finding new reasons to worry and stress. It's never ending. And I'm so sorry for anyone who has ever had to be around me when I'm stressing and worrying as much as I do.
8. Panic attacks are so real. They don't always come in the form of breaking down and sobbing on the floor, but sometimes they do. Other times they can appear to be as little as hyperventilating and being unable to catch your breath again. No matter what type of attack we may experience, they are all equally frightening and they all take a toll on us. We may want the comfort of your presence, but sometimes we just need to be alone and work through them on our own. Please try to be understanding.
9. Even the smallest smile can change everything. If you ever have the chance to give a slight smile to someone, even if just for half a second, PLEASE do it. A smile is so reassuring and can be a great reminder to those of us who are constantly overthinking that maybe the world doesn't actually hate us and isn't truly out to turn us into nervous wrecks.
Living life through a veil of nervousness and anxiety can be a great struggle. One simple way to ease this burden is by trying to always be understanding and patient. If you find yourself in a difficult situation with someone you know has anxiety, try to remember this list. Be encouraging and give a little smile. You never know what a big difference your kindness could make.
