[CosmicRose]

I think a big part of my anxiety, is the fact that I'm so embarrassed and ashamed of it. I am literally embarrassed for having anxiety.
I judge myself on even having anxiety. I can only assume this fuels it even more.

Whenever I talk about my anxiety to my family members, they really don't know what to say to me. They've said everything from "Just get over it." to "You'll outgrow it." to "Life is difficult for everyone." to "I don't know how to help you."

I don't either.

Are you ever ashamed for having anxiety?
Do you compare yourself to others who don't have it?

[sideblinded]

CosmicRose

I understand completely what you are feeling. I also have a lot of anxiety I have to deal with. I find that reading devotional books and meditation books help my anxiety quite a bit. I hope you find some outlet for your anxiety. Walking can help, too.

I don't feel ashamed of my anxiety. I feel more uncomfortable with it. Maybe others will chime in here.

Best wishes.

[baseline]

Hi, I am definitely ashamed of my anxiety! I try to keep up a cool front but my friends and family know how I can get. Most times they make fun of me as if I have control of it! I try not to show my anxiety cause I don't want my kids learning my behavior!

[Anonymous37919]

Mate, I have it too. And I know how it can take over your life. I go all hot and feel I want to panic. This is why I like self-service machines in shops because it means I can (usually) avoid people quickly. I just cannot talk to anybody now. I'll probably be single forever too.

[Turtlesoup]

I do feel embarrassed when my anxiety is bad or having a panic attack in public. Several of my family members have similar problems with anxiety-I guess it's the issue I am most comfortable talking about. My OCD, depression & mood disorder I try to hide-those are the ones my family & others say the usual crap like snap out of it or can't you control your feelings-like if I could would I really want to think & act this way? They get the anxiety part but not the rest-I guess different disorders come with different stigmas. I'm thankful to have found this forum & that I have tdoc who really listens & gets how i'm feeling.

[avlady]

I am more scared of anxiety than ashamed.

[avlady]

I guess the only other thing i can think to say is there isnothing to fear but fear itself

[mitchell132]

I felt ashamed but not anymore. I have anxiety and I used to blush easily in front of the class. However, anxiety has helped to prepare early for anything. Sometimes it becomes my friend.
I think if you just need to learn to live with it but does not let it take control of you.
Yes, sometimes I get jealous seeing people talking on stage with no problem but actually everyone gets nervous on stage.
It's normal but it depends on how you handle it. What your parents said are true in some ways.

I'm embarrassed of my social anxiety. But not of my GAD. its a disorder and I didn't choose to have it, I got no choice in the matter, so I'm not ashamed. Lots of people have anxiety.

[Jolisse]

I'm not ashamed of my anxiety, it's a part if who I am. I do get frustrated and wish I didn't suffer from it, but I continue to work on feeling better.
MI is nothing to be ashamed of, it's a disease that we're afflicted with.

it can totally embarrass me sometimes.

especially when people i'm with have to handle situaitions diffrently, and i'm thinking.. god, if i only didn't have anxiety, we could do this the "normal way"

[BLUEDOVE]

Yes,I understand completely,was like that for many,
many years;it was a living death,trapped inside my
own little bubble of solitary confinement.
BUT, the day I accepted gladly,that I had the RIGHT to get angry should someone treat me with
disrespect,is the day I started to get well. Then I
also found out,that the disease itself,was something
I had TRANSFERRED from the fear of my parents
onto the world at large,in short,I had made it up
that since my parents were more powerful than me,
so must all other adults have more power than me.
WRONG,WRONG,WRONG!
People only have as
much power as YOU are willing to give them!
Deepest Respect,
BLUEDOVE

[mountain human]

I only confess my anxieties to my therapist, and on this site. Everywhere else I try to hide my insecurity and inadequacy by pretending that I'm "normal" and my life is just fine.

[Fuzzybear]

[violet66]

I have frequent panic attacks and I am always mortified. I sweat, shake, pace, flub my words, mind goes blank.