Over the course of a decade you can learn a lot about anything. You can become an expert at car repair, kitchen remodeling, hair styling, or in my case you can learn all about anxiety.
Since 1999 I have been battling anxiety non-stop and as a result I’ve learned a thing or two about this topic (I’ve recovered since then).
Many of my thoughts on this issue are short thoughts or blurbs that I’ve collected over the years and for no particular reason I wanted to jot them down.
I can’t possibly recall everything but here is a good chunk of it in no particular order.
1. Anxiety can be in your thoughts.
2. Anxiety is in your DNA.
3. An anxiety symptom can be anything your body or mind can generate.
3. The fear of death is closely tied to most forms of anxiety.
4. There isn’t always a deep seated reason for having an anxiety disorder.
5. Anxiety disorders do not make you crazy.
6. People that don’t have anxiety disorders don’t understand people with anxiety disorders.
7. Antidepressants work for some people.
8. Antidepressants don’t work for some people.
9. Speaking to a therapist is always worth a shot.
10. You shouldn’t pester your “safe” person too much because their reassurances will become less believable.
11. Most anxiety is centered around the heart and your deep sense of worry.
12. There is no cure for anxiety because it’s an intricate part of what you are.
13. You can learn to manage anxiety.
14. Supplements and vitamins meant to treat anxiety are not all bad.
15. Supplements and vitamins meant to treat anxiety are not all good.
16. Anxiety lies a lot.
17. Anxiety makes you feel alone, afraid, shocked, worried, angry, frustrated, depressed… basically everything.
18. Medical science doesn’t know what causes anxiety disorders exactly. Chemical imbalance, environment, and heredity, are a few of the suspected culprits.
19. People are ashamed to have anxiety disorders or any mental ailment for that matter.
20. Anxiety sufferers want to pull themselves together but they can’t.
21. Anxiety disorders make you self centered.
22. Anxiety makes you sensitive to absolutely everything.
23. When panic strikes no one can make you feel better for at least 10 minutes.
24. Having an anxiety disorder makes you want to find information about anxiety.
25. Your vision will play tricks on you.
26. You will become forgetful.
27. Your muscles will twitch for no reason.
28. You will get heartburn, acid reflux, or other stomach problems including diarrhea.
29. You will want to go pee, a lot.
30. You will want to avoid crowds.
31. You will go into crowds feeling good and leave them feeling bad.
32. You will cry for no reason.
33. You may shake and tremble.
34. Dizziness will make you want to puke or fall.
35. Your heart will beat fast sometimes and you will think you’re having a heart attack.
36. People will give you bad advice.
37. People will give you excellent advice that you will ignore.
38. Doctors will often brush you off.
39. Your friends and family may eventually brush off your anxiety and ask you to “stop it.”
40. Your muscles will ache.
41. You will think that you are the only one that feels like you do.
42. Daydreaming will become a hobby.
43. You will think you’re choking on things when you’re not.
44. You will crave sweets.
45. Random numbness and tingling will happen.
46. You will often think that death is imminent.
47. Headaches will be frequent and make you feel like your wearing a very tight headband.
48. You will visit the ER and be sent home after a quick check up at least three times a year.
49. Sometimes you will swear that you can’t breath even though you can still talk.
50. You will have disturbing thoughts.
51. Disturbing thoughts will piss you off because you know you won’t do what you’re thinking, but you won’t be able stop thinking ‘crazy’ stuff.
52. Most forms of travel will seem way too dangerous.
53. You will want to take vacations frequently.
54. Going to work while anxious will suck.
55. You will generally not tell other people that you have an anxiety problem.
56. Eating out will not be fun.
57. Criticism will hurt, a lot.
58. Acceptance is a good anxiety remedy that no one really talks about.
59. There isn’t enough research into anxiety disorders or new treatments.
60. Many people have an anxiety disorder and don’t know it.
61. Many people will never seek treatment because they’re embarrassed.
62. You can be happy and have an anxiety disorder.
63. Your self-confidence will take a nose dive sometimes.
64. Being alone will feel good most of the time.
65. You will learn tons of ways to treat anxiety and follow almost none of the tips you learn.
66. You will surf the internet to find information about anxiety symptoms then get scared about what you read.
67. Reading about other peoples anxiety will be interesting.
68. Paranoia might happen. Paranoia about getting sick or poisoned could happen.
69. You will almost always think that something is or will be wrong with you medically.
70. You will become anxious for no reason sometimes.
71. Panic attacks are short lived but live long in the mind.
72. Adrenaline will become your worst enemy.
73. There are no cool t.v. programs about anxiety disorders – except Monk but it got cancelled.
74. It will be hard to love other people sometimes.
75. Apathy will happen.
76. Depression will happen.
77. Thoughts of suicide might happen and when it does you will go get help!
78. You will not want to ride roller coasters.
79. Hot and cold flashes don’t mean anything but you might get them.
80. Drinking alcohol will help you or really hurt you (the latter is more likely).
81. You will have days with no anxiety.
82. You will have several days in a row filled with anxiety.
83. You will worry about things that don’t matter.
84. You will suffer from primitive fear from time to time.
85. You can do a lot to help yourself.
86. You will need the help of others to help yourself.
87. Feelings of unreality or the perception that everything is fake might happen.
88. Most books about anxiety disorders suck.
89. Having an anxiety disorder can strain relationships.
90. You will often wish that you could just be the ‘old you.’
91. You will sometimes wonder why this is happening to you.
92. Shyness will happen.
93. Illegal drugs are bad for anxiety in the long run.
94. People who don’t suffer from anxiety don’t talk about anxiety.
95. People that have anxiety talk about it too much.
96. It doesn’t matter why you have anxiety the important thing is learning to manage it so you can live well.
97. Abraham Lincoln suffered from anxiety and depression.
98. You will forget to work on your anxiety.
99. Talking to other people with anxiety problems can be helpful.
100. You should never give up hope.
I seriously didn’t originally intend to jot down 100 things, but I did and I hope that aside from it’s low level entertainment value it proves a point. The point being that anxiety is complex, varied, and terribly powerful.
There are more things floating in my head about anxiety but then again that’s what this blog is for. In the end don’t beat yourself up for feeling or thinking negative things related to anxiety. As you can see it’s just part of living an anxious life.
My first thought was #1 should be we over analyze everything and think things to death! I guess #83 came close!
Bob
Have you ever noticed what happens when a professional person is public speaking and has an anxiety issue? He or she will stop, take a deep breath, and wait. It is like complete silence for a couple of minutes, and then the person will continue. I have trained myself to stop everything when anxiety comes near. I usually experience the low level variety. I usually tell someone so they will understand my behavior. I then do my best to get my mind on something else. This often works well. It never seems to last much longer than ten minutes. You can actually talk yourself out of feeling anxious. All you need to do is – bother to do it. Talk yourself down. It is a kind of discipline and it will eventually work for you. Hope my thoughts help you stay strong and centered in a healthy life. Submitted from Chris in South Portland, Maine, U.S.A.
I think I have control over it but stupid things set it off. I was in a great mood one day. I was sitting on a train, nothing out of the ordinary. Suddenly the train stopped because of some issue further ahead. That’s when my hands started sweating, I felt sick and didn’t know how to get rid of that dreaded feeling. I have caustophobia but can easily ride elevators etc It only seems to bother me when suddenly the doors lock and we have to wait there until the technical difficulty is fixed. I wish I could just float out of my body in those moments. How do you deal with the “trapped” feeling? The same happens when stuck inside a crowded car on a freeway and it gets gridlock. There’s no where to open the door and get out.
This is so true. I have felt most of the things you listed. I recently started having panic attacks about 5 months ago & this website is great. Thanks so much for all of the informative posts. It has REALLY helped!
Hi I loved your points. Over the years I have experienced alot of those points.I have only been dignosed this year with post traumatic stress disorder. Have been treated for various things over the years depression been the main one in my early twenties it was of a variety of vague names never to be heard of again. Which means even though I continually sought help they just did not have a clue. Help now is so much better shame I had to self medicate to get there which am still struggling to get passed. Not fun at times but I have some great times and I can always laugh about it all.
My sence of humour has got me through, my nervous energy and my laugh have become my biggest asset. It turns out it is right through my dads side of the family.I was lucky to get all of the gene flaws on dads side, bad eyes, bad immune system and anxiety and addictions. Thanks for that but I have alot of life experience which I use to help others, empathy which is another asset I have developed. Looking on the bright side of life is the motto I use every to fight off the darkness. I am my worst enemy and I fight with that every day at times it is very draining. I have been through
a series of traumatic events and I got to a point where the glass was full and as I worked through the events the glass would over flow and I would have a meltdown.Now I have to very carefull of all the triggers and have to stop pushing myself which is a habit that is hard to break but if I dont the glass will overflow. Does this make any sence? for me mother nature works watching the sun rise and set listening to birds admiring garderns and no noice. Loud telivisions and stuffy rooms are my biggest enemy`s.Stillness helps taking the time to admire the small things.
Regards Ingrid ps I had anxiety even righting my name at the beginning.
This is so true. I went into ER this year, my heart rate was over the top. Panic attack of course. I was also depressed. Eventually, I got into therapy, learned to recognize panic attacks coming, so I am good at preventing them. Took some antidepressants, so I am not depressed anymore. I don’t know will the therapy help me, I know that I worry about things since I can remember, but it has never been this bad. I am now 20 years old, I have an anxiety disorder, and I study psychology (ironic, I know 😛 ). We all have good and bad days, but we have to try and fight it. NEVER give up, you are stronger then you think. You have great articles 🙂
I LOVE this one!
90. You will often wish that you could just be the ‘old you.’ !!!!!
i think about this every hour 🙁
I laughed at number 66, you will surf the internet about anxiety and then get anxious about what you find, so very true. I was diagnosed with anxiety 2 years ago, it is something I remember having as young as 10 but not knowing that it was an actual medical condition, thinking that I was just afraid of everything in the world. I began drinking quite heavily at 14 which suppressed the feelings of fear and worry and did this until I was 21 when I found out I was pregnant. With my beautiful daughter came the onset of increased anxiety, to the point where I imagined awful things happening to her every hour of the day and checking on her during the night sometimes up to 30 times to check she was still there. My family see me having an attack and 5 minutes later ask if I’m alright. “Sure” I say, there is no way in the world they would understand if I actually told them how I was feeling because otherwise they would not ask me if I’m alright. My mother saw me having a panic attack one day and said to me afterwards ” have u finished with your anxiety now?” Like a switch that can be turned off. Sorry for rambling, maybe I should book in to see a shrink instead, maybe I should keep my thoughts to myself, I did for 25 years and regret telling anyone how I am feeling now because they don’t understand and look at me like I’m a drama queen, perhaps I am, I don’t know anymore
20yrAnxietyfighter So true, I’ve battled the entire 100 at some point, I’ve been to the ER and DR enough to send their kids to college.
35+ years of intense anxiety & clinical depression. Trapped… suicide unavailable due to commitments to those who depend on me. Xanax, booze, shrinks. Oh well.
This is truly an excellent, and comprehensive list! A lot of sites will only list the surface symptoms, but that only tells the tiniest part of the story. This is one of the best lists I’ve come across.
Glad you found the list helpful John.
buh lemme ask you something.does anxiety go away eventually??? 😟
Hey George, I’d say that the elimination of abnormal anxiety is possible, but for most folks their target goal would be significant reduction, rather than total elimination.
My brother committed suicide 2 years ago. I’ve always had what I now know is anxiety…but after that happened it really triggered something in me. I have random panic attacks about nothing. I get bad anxiety about work..even if it’s just for a 3 hour shift. Even this morning I startedpanicing and had to call Into work. They think I unreliable when in reality I’m sitting at home after I call in quivering and shaking and sick to my stomach. This mornings panic attack also came with some mild suicidal thoughts. .nothing seriius..just the thought..and as hard as I tried..I couldn’t get those thoughts out of my head for 10 minutes. Then I cried for no reason for another ten minutes and was well enough to get out of bed to sort of go on with my day. This was the worst its been..partly due to a bad reaction to Celexa that my doctor prescribed for anxiety..it just made it worst. Now they prescribed Zoloft..I hope it does the trick. I hate feeling anxious more than normal..and am always wishing I didnt have anxiety. ..that I was a normal adult like everyone else.
This has been very helpful it’s taking a lot out of me to get back to the same me
I have everykind of fear from anxiety, can’t sleep right, can’t eat right, scared to do everything i’don’t know what’s wrong with me anymore
I’ve suffered from horrible anxiety attacks for the past 10 years. It helped me reading your 100 list. So its not just me. Anxiety can be so powerful. I’ve been a mental health worker and I know I’m “just” suffering from anxiety. But when it’s bad I’m back again to thinking I’m dying or I’m having a heart attack! Have been up in the middle of the night for past 2 hours. Took 10mg of diazepam which has brought me back to some kind of normal. I feel bad for troubling my wonderful wife. She’s reassuring but she does not seem to have a single anxiety gene in her body so can’t really understand how distressing it can feel. I’m on fluoxetine for past 2 months but now I’m not sure whether it’s helping overall or making it worse. I’ve resolved that tomorrow I’m going to book to see a counsellor. I’m going to stop caffeine and alcohol completely. I’m going to make sure I have an hours aerobic exercise every day. It’s helped me writing this. Best wishes to anyone reading this who is fighting anxiety.
Hi dear great observations, it help me a lot re thing about anxity
Two questions:
Are there certain triggers that bring on an anxiety or panic attack?
What physically happens to the body during an attack?
Thank you for this article, it’s very enlightening.
Anxiety attacked me when i was sleeping and i wasnt even stressing about anything, went to the doctor and he told me that it was just anxiety, i always have fear of dying and living my two beautiful sons at their very young ages. When it strikes its like my heart will just stop there and then. Its so scary. I no longer have self confidence, m always home and sometimes when it comes it would be like i am nt thinking straight.i havent taken any anti depresents as yet. I am greatful that i am nt alone in this…it hurts
Hi from the start of this year, most of my anxiety and symptoms have been food and drug induced. Since i was into a medical field, i developed the medical student’s syndrome where they fear every possible disease. I am athleteic working out 5 days a week, jogging for 2 kms, walking with heavy weights like an army court martial, doing weights training etc. It started off with a routine EKG. A certain aspect of it the P wave was slightly elevated and the technician asked me if i had trouble breathing, of course not, i keep jogging for several KMs. When i researched it on the net i went into a shock, Pulmonary hypertension.PH It was like putting the cart before the horse, usual the symptoms start several years before the EKG changes and the changes are an indication of final stages and not a diagnostic criterion. The MD who interepreted my report told me it is perfectly fine to have such spikes, and i spoke to nearly several docs who assured me it is merely a technical artifcat. I did another EKG where the P wave was normal but not the T wave. The docs told me it is again technical issue. But the thing of pulmonary hypertension stuck in my mind, and i was ruminating over it for many months. I went into panick attacks and started having conscious breathing for months after.
Incidentailly i had a severe wheat allergy which was misdiagnosed as typhoid and i was put on a month of strong antibiotics. I forgot all about the PH, I had severe head pressure and could barely walk a few steps. Initially i google and it came as cerebral edema, though many docs assured me if i were to have that i would be comatose. I became woozy and could not keep steady, i had depersonalizaiotn, derealization which was worsened with stress and workouts and hunger. Then i had tension headaches. I had a hard time working out. I could barely walk. My wife who is athletic too had the same issues. Initially i thought it was a tumor, aneurysm, hepatic encephalopathy all terrific conditions. One day upon gluten challenge, i got hang of the problem, and stopped all gluten. Incidentally gluten is highly neurotoxic. It messes up with your system. Every day i used to have morning nausea. Retching used to make me feel better.
After that the whole of last year has been full of dietary and drug accidents. For intsance i took a stale pickle, and immediately became woozy and took me sometime to recover. I took an additional dose of antihypertensive and went into a low BP and recovered,
Then i discovered Peanut allergies. Anytime i eat peanuts or its products, i go into mild shortness of breath and anxiety. That was overcome. Then i took an antacid pantaproazole which gave me shortness of breath and extreme anxiety.
Then it was lactose intolerance, even a bit of cheese threw me into imbalance and panic attacks.
Last week i was on amoxycilling for strep throat. All antibiotics give mild dyspnea (shortness of breath) and exercise intolerance. after the course of amox, i went back to jogging and marathon walking, today morning before breakfast i developed mild shortness, choking sensation etc panick attacks, gloom, doom, and was raving with death anxiety, health anxiety and cardiophobia (heart anxiety). My wife who is generally cool, has been assuring me it is nothing. Post breakfast and income of energy, i find out that the anxiety has gone down.
Really though i dont want to commit deliberate drug and food mistakes, it has kept happening like a devil’s hold the whole of the last year.
Paul was correct in pointing out that much anxiety deals with cardiophobia. Anxious people are very conscious of how they breathe, their pulse etc.
Most thinking is catastrophic and is reinforced by googling and magnifying the symptoms. For instance when you google plague, pneumonia the symptoms are the same for common cold, but self diagnosing it as the former can be disastrous. As my doctor put it, most cases that visit the ER are simple cases, and instances like cerebral edema, pulmonary hypertension are very very rare. And in fact a person driving a car is in for more risk than anyone else.
Much anxiety is centered around death anxiety, what if i leave behind my family. Believe me that is not a mature thinking. Health paranoia is another. When my wife was recommended for a Pap smear by the ob-gyn i panicked. The doc told me the Pap will be negative dont worry, but till the test results came out i screwed up three complete days. My thinking went along the line of of the million cells i am sure something must be precancerous. When the result arrived, everything was negative.
Anytime i have an indigestion, i feel it is colon cancer, Most docs dont even consider these terrifying illnesses for they know the improbability.
forgot to add,
dear paul kindly reply. i had been posting here from 2012 and your responses are just compassionate and healing.
Wow I’ve literally never related to something as much as this. A lot of the points on here were things which I thought I only did and I thought I was kinda crazy for. This is probably the best post I’ve read about anxiety just because it didn’t talk about things which I’ve heard being repeated over and over on various websites. This brought up a lot of things which I’ve been doing or thinking about in my head for ages without knowing it was linked to anxiety. Thanks for posting this. It’s definitley my favourite post I’ve seen so far 🙂