[AbladeintheMeadow]

I was feeling like the walls were closing in last night. Think it's because of Christmas fast approaching. This time of year seems to cause my anxiety to spike & has in the past also triggered depressive episodes. I have no explanation for why this may be the case.

Today I feel kind of on edge or agitated. Not in an irritated with people way. But....???...for example my jeans were creasing & touching my leg in a way that was irritating me & the arms of my t-shirt were doing the same. I had to go & change & I'm OK now. But I can feel my breathing isn't right. I'm too aware of it. I think that's anxiety starting to creep in again.

I know where this is going & I feel powerless to stop it. I know when they all come home there will be noise & they're not doing anything wrong. Just family coming home from work & school. But it's like an assault on my senses & I just want to shut myself in my room & hide & cover my ears. And they all think I'm being moody & then the arguments start and they say nasty words. And I'm not crazy. I'm not doing this on purpose. I just get overwhelmed. But they don't understand. I've tried to explain it. I've tried to explain the best I can what it's like in my head, but you need to be in it to understand. I just need a bit of space & I don't mean to shut them out but isolating myself is the only way I know to stop the feelings drowning me.

[DowdyTheFifth]

I get very anxious unexpectedly from random noises, I can never pin down what causes my anxiety to go up. I also get frustrated very easily, where I cannot handle certain things, and sometimes everything makes me furious. Like when someone is texting me a lot right when I wake up, I get annoyed and give short replies, I do not know exactly why but it just happens. With my anxiety I am on edge every day, worrying that something will go wrong so I understand that.

I'm only a college student so I typically do not have to explain my annoyance when my anxiety is bothering me. Are you on any medication? That might help.

[All Is Revealed]

I understand how you feel. When I feel uncomfortable in my own clothes, I know there is a problem.

Personal space is a big factor in decreasing anxiety for some of us. When we're constantly surrounded by people, sometimes we feel like we're suffocating. Have you considered how much personal space you need? And how much alone time you need?

For example, I only want to be around people for less than 2 hours a day. I'm not afraid of people and I very good socially if I need to be ... but people annoy me after 2 hours.

Especially since the holidays are here, we can get sick of being in this merry-go-round of annoying holiday-themed gatherings.

[AbladeintheMeadow]

Thank you both for taking the time to reply I wasn't in a good place when I posted & your replies really helped.

I'm not currently on any medication but I am getting to the point where I feel I need to go back to my GP & explain how heightened my anxiety seems to get at this time of year.

And yes - that's exactly the feeling - suffocated by people - that's exactly how it feels & I have to get out of the situation.

Thank you again