[Mysticcheezwhiz]

Hi everyone. Just wondering if anyone has suggestions on how to explain anxiety to someone who just doesn't seem to get it. I obsess over issues and try to think of every possible outcome (usually the worst one), if there happens to be someone in the room then (namely my significant other) I end up talking out-lout, which seems to stress him out more. I try to explain what is going on in my head and he just can't seem to figure out why I can't just relax and not worry about things. Trust me if I could, I would love to be able to do that.

I am trying to think of a good way to explain it to him, he is very logical and technical oriented.

My social anxiety is another story, any suggestions on how to explain that to friends?

Thanks.

[Skeezyks]

I don't know about friends in general, but with your S.O. my suggestion would be to perhaps see if you could find some anxiety-related videos, perhaps on YouTube, the two of you could watch together. One good source might be the videos of California therapist Kati Morton:

https://www.youtube.com/user/KatiMorton

PsychCentral also has a YouTube channel.

The two of you could perhaps watch some anxiety-related videos together & then use them as a "jumping-off" point for some further discussion with regard to what you experience & how your S.O. can support you. Watching a few videos on the topic of anxiety might also give you some ideas as to how to explain what you experience to your friends.

[Mysticcheezwhiz]

That is a great idea. I never thought of trying out YouTube. There really is something for everything on there. Thanks for the suggestion.

[RubyRae]

When I try to explain my level of anxiety to people that just don't seem to get it I say "have you ever been in an emergency situation where you were really freaking out,trying to figure out what to do?That's exactly how my anxiety is all the time,that's exactly how it feels,even when there's no emergency".

They usually get it then.

[Mysticcheezwhiz]

Originally Posted by RubyRae

When I try to explain my level of anxiety to people that just don't seem to get it I say "have you ever been in an emergency situation where you were really freaking out,trying to figure out what to do?That's exactly how my anxiety is all the time,that's exactly how it feels,even when there's no emergency".

They usually get it then.

That is a good suggestion. I never thought about explaining it that way either. I get why my approach isn't working, no one really gets whats going through my mind except me. Thanks.

I recently told someone that anxiety ruins the capacity to enjoy happiness.

i'm never really asked to explain anxiety

I think most people I know have a good understanding of what anxiety means.

the problem I experience is when people ask me.. so why are you anxious about crowds?. why are you agoraphobic, why are you anxious about heights, I mean how do you answer that

[Sometimes psychotic]

I think the way you're explaining it describes it perfectly it's just that you may have found someone who's never experienced it.....