According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America:
“Anxiety disorders are real, severe medical conditions – just as real and harsh as physical disorders such as heart disease or diabetes. Anxiety disorders are the most common and pervasive mental disorders in the United States.
The term “anxiety disorder“ refers to specific psychiatric disorders that involve extreme fear or worry, and includes generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder and panic attacks, agoraphobia, social anxiety disorder, selective mutism, separation anxiety, and specific phobias. ”
According to the data provided by the same association about 40 million adults in the U.S. suffer from it. On top of that, women are affected by it more often than men, according to statistics of the National Institute of Mental Health.
However, the worst part of all is that even in the 21st century there are negative reactions toward people with mental illnesses such as anxiety.
Here is why, these people are afraid to admit their condition and even feel guilty about this openly.
They accept their anxiety as a weakness or a flaw rather than as a mental condition that has to be treated.
That is why you very often people who suffer from anxiety feel ashamed about it and apologize for their behavior which is more or less influenced by their condition.
But of course, this is not right. People who have anxiety are not guilty of what they feel and the reactions they have.
If you too are affected by anxiety or have family or friends who are, you/they need to be sure that you/they should never feel ashamed of these 8 things:
1. Panic attacks
Although anxiety is a mental condition, it is very often manifested through physical symptoms such as anxiety or panic attacks. Unfortunately, people who have them live in fear how others would accept what they are going through especially if it happens in public. However, people who suffer from anxiety shouldn’t be feeling uncomfortable about their situation as they are not guilty of having this condition.
2. Hesitation
Another symptom of anxiety is when the people who are affected by it unknowingly overthink all situations and solutions to all the problems they encounter. Often, people with anxiety cannot make up their mind about little, everyday things such as what to wear for work or what to have for lunch. And it is OK if they ask advice or help from others.
3. They need their time out
People with anxiety have difficulties multitasking, and If they have to do many things at the same time, there’s a high chance they feel confused and exhausted. That’s why taking time out and having a rest is OK and absolutely necessary. Others should understand and take into consideration that this need of the people with anxiety is provoked by their condition.
4. Overthinking
People who suffer from anxiety, tend to overthink every detail about all the events that have happened to them during the day. Here is the opinion of I. Lee, a licensed psychologist, and owner of LA Concierge Psychologist:
“People with anxiety will often use the quiet and relative stillness of night time to review all the things that happened that day. You may … think about all the decisions you made that day and wonder if they were the ‘right’ decisions. Or you may replay a particular social interaction over and over again, thinking about how you might have done it differently.”
5. Feeling exhausted
People who suffer from anxiety have more intense reactions to difficult situations or dynamic environments, which could be tiring and exhausting. Activities that look effortless to others could be rather demanding for the ones who are affected by anxiety. That is why they shouldn’t feel ashamed to explain how they feel and why it is so.
6. Talking while you sleep
Although this is not always a sign of anxiety, it might be one. So don’t be afraid to tell your partner or roommate about your problem and what makes you talk in your sleep.
7. Being negative
Anxiety can become the reason for feeling everything too deeply and to always think for the worst instead for the best. That might make you look like a pessimist in the eyes of other people but you should try to be honest with them about what is making you see things this way.
8. The fact you have anxiety
One of the most important things you should never, absolutely never, feel ashamed about or apologize for is having anxiety. You are a person who needs help, support, and understanding and if someone is blaming you it is because of their narrow-mindedness that has nothing to do with you.
Of course, these are just some of and not all of the things people with anxiety experience and have to handle. Still what really matters is to remember that those who suffer from anxiety (whether it’s you or someone else) are not weak at all. They are not guilty of their condition and it is totally wrong if they feel ashamed because of it.
Being honest about suffering from anxiety and helping your close people who live with it is the first step to beating the problem.
We from Sex Intelligence, advise all of our readers who have difficulties having a healthy life because of their anxiety to seek professional help because as Walter Anderson has said:
“Nothing diminishes anxiety faster than action.”
Do you know anyone who suffers from anxiety?
Please, share your experience in the comments.
