As a kid, I closed my eyes when people spoke to me — I thought it would make me invisible. I’m sobbing in every photo with an unsuspecting mall Santa because sitting on the jolly giant’s lap made me way too nervous (sorry, mom). But it was bigger than Santa — fear paralyzed me around unfamiliar people, events, and anything, really. I became more outwardly social as I got older, but internally, I still suffered — arguably much more. I would get physically ill before taking math tests. I became depressed, without even knowing what depression is. I developed an eating disorder in high school, which I’m still grappling with the residual effects of, even in my recovery.
While it took me a long time to understand my own anxiety, it took me even longer to realize that I wasn’t going to “fix” it overnight. I realized there are certain things about anxiety that all the books in the world will not tell you. While I’m not a medical professional or an “expert” by any means, I do have experience. I know what it’s like to dig yourself into an anxiety hole and claw your way out. Hell, I’ve been doing it for 23 years and counting. I’m getting pretty good at it — sometimes. Here are a few truths about anxiety I wish someone had told me a long time ago: In addition to therapy and/or medication, there are many little things a person can do to aid their anxiety, such as yoga or meditation, drawing, painting, exercising or even laughing. While any of these options are good ones, no one practice will be helpful to all anxiety sufferers. For example, I’ve found drawing and painting to be great outlets for me, while the thought of meditating (or relaxing in general) makes me scream internally. No matter what the source of someone’s anxiety is, it’s not an indication that they’re less of a person. In fact, I’ve found my struggle with anxiety has made me a more understanding person and a better listener. Who knows, maybe I’d be an insufferable asshole if I didn’t have it — maybe I’d end up in the cast of “Vanderpump Rules.” The point is, just because you got dealt one shitty card doesn’t mean you don’t still have a great hand. (I hope that was a good cards analogy, I’ve always wanted to make one!) I’m also a writer, a girlfriend, a cat mom, an excellent ping pong player, a music aficionado, a bad dancer, a coffee drinker, and a person who gives a shit about other people. I’m grateful for all these things, including my anxiety — it has enriched my life with empathy. As a person with anxiety, I hope talking and writing about my struggle helps non-sufferers become more empathetic toward those struggling. As a writer, I hope to cut off a slice of empathy pie and serve it to anyone who wants or needs it.
title: “5 Things No One Tells You About Dealing With Anxiety” ShowToc: true date: “2024-09-04” author: “Leigha Leuthold”
As a kid, I closed my eyes when people spoke to me — I thought it would make me invisible. I’m sobbing in every photo with an unsuspecting mall Santa because sitting on the jolly giant’s lap made me way too nervous (sorry, mom). But it was bigger than Santa — fear paralyzed me around unfamiliar people, events, and anything, really. I became more outwardly social as I got older, but internally, I still suffered — arguably much more. I would get physically ill before taking math tests. I became depressed, without even knowing what depression is. I developed an eating disorder in high school, which I’m still grappling with the residual effects of, even in my recovery.
While it took me a long time to understand my own anxiety, it took me even longer to realize that I wasn’t going to “fix” it overnight. I realized there are certain things about anxiety that all the books in the world will not tell you. While I’m not a medical professional or an “expert” by any means, I do have experience. I know what it’s like to dig yourself into an anxiety hole and claw your way out. Hell, I’ve been doing it for 23 years and counting. I’m getting pretty good at it — sometimes. Here are a few truths about anxiety I wish someone had told me a long time ago: In addition to therapy and/or medication, there are many little things a person can do to aid their anxiety, such as yoga or meditation, drawing, painting, exercising or even laughing. While any of these options are good ones, no one practice will be helpful to all anxiety sufferers. For example, I’ve found drawing and painting to be great outlets for me, while the thought of meditating (or relaxing in general) makes me scream internally. No matter what the source of someone’s anxiety is, it’s not an indication that they’re less of a person. In fact, I’ve found my struggle with anxiety has made me a more understanding person and a better listener. Who knows, maybe I’d be an insufferable asshole if I didn’t have it — maybe I’d end up in the cast of “Vanderpump Rules.” The point is, just because you got dealt one shitty card doesn’t mean you don’t still have a great hand. (I hope that was a good cards analogy, I’ve always wanted to make one!) I’m also a writer, a girlfriend, a cat mom, an excellent ping pong player, a music aficionado, a bad dancer, a coffee drinker, and a person who gives a shit about other people. I’m grateful for all these things, including my anxiety — it has enriched my life with empathy. As a person with anxiety, I hope talking and writing about my struggle helps non-sufferers become more empathetic toward those struggling. As a writer, I hope to cut off a slice of empathy pie and serve it to anyone who wants or needs it.
title: “5 Things No One Tells You About Dealing With Anxiety” ShowToc: true date: “2024-10-14” author: “Mark Corke”
As a kid, I closed my eyes when people spoke to me — I thought it would make me invisible. I’m sobbing in every photo with an unsuspecting mall Santa because sitting on the jolly giant’s lap made me way too nervous (sorry, mom). But it was bigger than Santa — fear paralyzed me around unfamiliar people, events, and anything, really. I became more outwardly social as I got older, but internally, I still suffered — arguably much more. I would get physically ill before taking math tests. I became depressed, without even knowing what depression is. I developed an eating disorder in high school, which I’m still grappling with the residual effects of, even in my recovery.
While it took me a long time to understand my own anxiety, it took me even longer to realize that I wasn’t going to “fix” it overnight. I realized there are certain things about anxiety that all the books in the world will not tell you. While I’m not a medical professional or an “expert” by any means, I do have experience. I know what it’s like to dig yourself into an anxiety hole and claw your way out. Hell, I’ve been doing it for 23 years and counting. I’m getting pretty good at it — sometimes. Here are a few truths about anxiety I wish someone had told me a long time ago: In addition to therapy and/or medication, there are many little things a person can do to aid their anxiety, such as yoga or meditation, drawing, painting, exercising or even laughing. While any of these options are good ones, no one practice will be helpful to all anxiety sufferers. For example, I’ve found drawing and painting to be great outlets for me, while the thought of meditating (or relaxing in general) makes me scream internally. No matter what the source of someone’s anxiety is, it’s not an indication that they’re less of a person. In fact, I’ve found my struggle with anxiety has made me a more understanding person and a better listener. Who knows, maybe I’d be an insufferable asshole if I didn’t have it — maybe I’d end up in the cast of “Vanderpump Rules.” The point is, just because you got dealt one shitty card doesn’t mean you don’t still have a great hand. (I hope that was a good cards analogy, I’ve always wanted to make one!) I’m also a writer, a girlfriend, a cat mom, an excellent ping pong player, a music aficionado, a bad dancer, a coffee drinker, and a person who gives a shit about other people. I’m grateful for all these things, including my anxiety — it has enriched my life with empathy. As a person with anxiety, I hope talking and writing about my struggle helps non-sufferers become more empathetic toward those struggling. As a writer, I hope to cut off a slice of empathy pie and serve it to anyone who wants or needs it.
title: “5 Things No One Tells You About Dealing With Anxiety” ShowToc: true date: “2024-09-17” author: “Linda Steward”
As a kid, I closed my eyes when people spoke to me — I thought it would make me invisible. I’m sobbing in every photo with an unsuspecting mall Santa because sitting on the jolly giant’s lap made me way too nervous (sorry, mom). But it was bigger than Santa — fear paralyzed me around unfamiliar people, events, and anything, really. I became more outwardly social as I got older, but internally, I still suffered — arguably much more. I would get physically ill before taking math tests. I became depressed, without even knowing what depression is. I developed an eating disorder in high school, which I’m still grappling with the residual effects of, even in my recovery.
While it took me a long time to understand my own anxiety, it took me even longer to realize that I wasn’t going to “fix” it overnight. I realized there are certain things about anxiety that all the books in the world will not tell you. While I’m not a medical professional or an “expert” by any means, I do have experience. I know what it’s like to dig yourself into an anxiety hole and claw your way out. Hell, I’ve been doing it for 23 years and counting. I’m getting pretty good at it — sometimes. Here are a few truths about anxiety I wish someone had told me a long time ago: In addition to therapy and/or medication, there are many little things a person can do to aid their anxiety, such as yoga or meditation, drawing, painting, exercising or even laughing. While any of these options are good ones, no one practice will be helpful to all anxiety sufferers. For example, I’ve found drawing and painting to be great outlets for me, while the thought of meditating (or relaxing in general) makes me scream internally. No matter what the source of someone’s anxiety is, it’s not an indication that they’re less of a person. In fact, I’ve found my struggle with anxiety has made me a more understanding person and a better listener. Who knows, maybe I’d be an insufferable asshole if I didn’t have it — maybe I’d end up in the cast of “Vanderpump Rules.” The point is, just because you got dealt one shitty card doesn’t mean you don’t still have a great hand. (I hope that was a good cards analogy, I’ve always wanted to make one!) I’m also a writer, a girlfriend, a cat mom, an excellent ping pong player, a music aficionado, a bad dancer, a coffee drinker, and a person who gives a shit about other people. I’m grateful for all these things, including my anxiety — it has enriched my life with empathy. As a person with anxiety, I hope talking and writing about my struggle helps non-sufferers become more empathetic toward those struggling. As a writer, I hope to cut off a slice of empathy pie and serve it to anyone who wants or needs it.
