[scatterbrained04]

When you say you are very anxious about something, do other people act like you're being ridiculous?

I was told by someone today to just pick up the phone and make a call instead of panicking. Kind of hurt having my anxiety minimized like that.

[Mountaindewed]

My mom tells me I’m being ridiculous when I get anxious. But usually I am, and I often worry for nothing.

Things usually work out for me the way they are supposed to.

[wanttolivebetter]

People make fun of my possibly anxiety-related health issues. They tell me I'm just a hypochondriac, but I really do feel physically very sick, which causes me to be afraid to do things like have a drink or even just go out because I'm scared I will make the symptoms worse or just be very bad company because I feel too bad to be fully present. One time, my sister got mad at me about something, so she started mocking me walking around being like, "Oh, I feel soooo sick." That was 5 years ago, and it still hurts so bad thinking about it. I didn't choose any of this. I'm crying writing this. It's so awful. I wish I knew how to make it stop.

I know people don’t understand it, especially because it is intermittent. I really mean it when I’m so anxious I can’t shop and need help. People don’t understand the feeling and cannot relate

[Agent Misty]

You can't expect everyone to understand exactly what having anxiety is like for you.

They likely didn't see it as minimizing your anxiety, they likely do not even know what a comment like that could do to someone with anxiety. But that's the thing, you do what you will with that comment once it's done, said, and passed. You found the comment to be insensitive of the difficulty you were having, but you don't have to see it that way, or think that far into it. But anxiety can definitely make one more prone to pick at such a moment.

I've personally come to accept when I end up looking foolish or ridiculous to others, because I know they do not live in my realm of conciousness. So their reasoning can not and will not factor in correctly what they do not know or understand about the core of who I am, just like my perspective of them will be flawed as well because I am unable to factor in what I don't know about them, or what I do not deeply understand in regard to the things I do know about them. I can only assume the true depth of what someone else is going through. Because of that persons experiences, they likely assumed the phone call was no big deal, and they expressed that. If they ever lived in your shoes for a day, they probably wouldn't have said that.

I wouldn't want to live in a word where everyone tip toed around in every conversation in fear of saying something that supports their own thoughts, feelings, and experiences, but conflicts and upsets someone else because of their own life, past, feelings, etc.

However, if that person wasnt trying to be helpful and encouraging about it when telling you to make the call, than they don't really have a right to tell you what to do. No matter someones perspective, being rude and bossy about it isn't the right way to go.

[Sunflower123]

Originally Posted by scatterbrained04

When you say you are very anxious about something, do other people act like you're being ridiculous?

I was told by someone today to just pick up the phone and make a call instead of panicking. Kind of hurt having my anxiety minimized like that.

I’m sorry your anxiety was minimized in that situation. It’s happened to me before and it’s discouraging. Some people just don’t get it. Sending big hugs.

[AlwaysBeenInvisible]

So sorry you were told this.

My husband often tells me to "calm down."

It really pisses me off. Like, oh I didn't think of just calming down, what a simple solution! Thanks for that!

[BreakForTheLight]

I never tell anyone in my real life about my anxiety.

Except my mum. Who just tells me "calm down" and "you have nothing to be scared of". Obviously I already know that..... Doesn't stop the anxiety.

[Ozisl]

When I have to deal with people, sometimes they still do. They certainly did before my diagnoses.

I get caught up on anxiety even online... I can't stand playing a multiplayer game. Even a co-op game. My stress spikes as if I'm on stage. I collapse into self-doubt and terror. Even on, say, forums, I'm afraid. Less so. Those are all conditions people do not understand my reluctance to take part in even trivial things.

The extent of my anxiety may be complemented by other psych issues, but I think they are general enough that people who experience that should understand.

[sky457]

I often get that response from friends and family. Often they're right, and sometimes they're incorrect. It's hard for people who don't suffer from mental illness to relate to those going through things.

It's really frustrating and I've had to consistently deal with situations like this. Even to this day. I am prone to anxiety and panic attacks as well.

[Foo Fighter]

Yes. I just want people to know I don't enjoy it and if I have it stop asking if I took my meds or need them tweaked. Or the husband losing his temper. He says get over it. Usually when I calm down I tell him why but he still gets upset with the panic attacks. I think only the therapist gets it though.

In general, I tend to suffer alone, because I don't want anyone trying to guide me out of my panic attack. Whenever they do, I perceive just a hint of condescension from them, which I translate to "you're being ridiculous."

I still remember a breaking point from childhood. I was 12, suffering from extreme anxiety, sobbing because I couldn't understand this impending feeling of doom. My mother, otherwise a nice, gentle person, snapped, and yelled at me. "Stop being a baby!" That broke something in me, and I stopped asking for help and comfort from others then and there.

Bjornen-something similar happened to me. That is awful; people just don’t understand how painful it is, and made worse by no one understanding. I really needed comfort in that moment, like never before. It was an incredibly unbearable to feel so alone

Originally Posted by key tones

Bjornen-something similar happened to me. That is awful; people just don’t understand how painful it is, and made worse by no one understanding. I really needed comfort in that moment, like never before. It was an incredibly unbearable to feel so alone

I am sorry you too went through that, key tones. I'm glad we're both part of a community now where we can be open about these things and not feel so alone.

Originally Posted by Bjørnen

I am sorry you too went through that, key tones. I'm glad we're both part of a community now where we can be open about these things and not feel so alone.

Yes, it is really great here! Thank you so much

[Biteplate]

I honestly think it is very rude for a person to make such an insensitive statement when they know you have anxiety. They know exactly what they are saying. There are no excuses for just being flat out rude. I've had this before too and its like how would they feel if they were the ones with the anxiety and someone made a nasty comment.

I feel I am always explaining the justification for my anxiety. Sometimes all I want is some validation. I realise with some angst that I do this here too.

My husband often expresses exasperation with me too, I don't blame him, it can't be easy living with such a worrier.

My mother understands (she has anxiety too I either inherited or learned it), I have a few other friends who have experienced it and understand. I do think it's to do with personal experience.