[struggling931]

Is this possible? Has anyone ever diagnosed this in themselves, and if so, what did they do about it? (and more importantly, what if anything helped?) Thanks in advance.

[BalishBun]

Diagnosed anxiety or diagnosed being addicted to it? What do you mean exactly by addicted to it? Like, do you like the rush you get when you have a panic attack or what?

[Zenobia]

I know that when I was on a lot of medications that dulled my feelings I would work myself up so I COULD feel. I didn't do it on purpose but looking back on it I know I was trying to save a part of me that was lost to the meds.

I also worked myself up to self injure because I needed someone to notice me even though it was only me who knew of my self injury because I kept it hidden.

Now I am off meds and don't self injure and I still get worked up. It frustrates me because I have worked so hard and accomplished so much but I still have anxiety issues and sort of jump out and bite me in the behind big time.
Zen

[JimWriter]

It seems that the word addiction has come to mean so much more than what the word probably originally meant: Something that we are powerless to stop or deal with.
in that sense, I'd say that it is possible to find some relief or comfort in the effects of anxiety. As a teen, I used to "enjoy" saying things to my dad that would tick him off. He, in turn, would say something that would burn my butt-but I knew i could say something that would just continue the circle.
Kinda childish on my part, but I was angry with him for a few reasons.
So I suppose we could feel that we were powerless over the anxiety, but the thrill of the pumped up feelings were somewhat (and strangely) empowering.

[wishfulmuscle]

Whenever i start feeling anxious about something i run for food. Then, my absolute fear of becoming fat kicks in and it causes me more anxiety bc i have to deal with what i just did. Addicted to anxiety? Absolutely. Does what you run to give you relief for a few brief seconds even if it causes more anxiety later? It's that small outlet of relief that keeps me yearning for more, whether i like it or not