Anxiety Support Group
Anxiety is a physical condition marked by intense and persistent feelings of distress, fear, angst or dread. General anxiety caused by routine day-to-day stresses usually passes quickly and is experienced by almost everyone at one time or another. However, such feelings that linger over time and are very difficult to cope with, and which lack a clear cause, may indicate...
Someone posted in another thread that she felt anxiety really ruined her childhood and I feel very much the same way. I didn't enjoy the things others enjoyed and as an adult "fun" is feeling comfortable and free of anxiety.
People remember going to prom and homecoming, cheerleading and acting in plays, singing in choir, going on school trips, dating, graduation. I did those things too but they felt like obligations - like my energy was being completely drained. And all l I remember is the anxiety.
My question is - what have people done to recover from an anxious childhood? I feel like the groundwork was laid in childhood so it's important to somehow address it.
People remember going to prom and homecoming, cheerleading and acting in plays, singing in choir, going on school trips, dating, graduation. I did those things too but they felt like obligations - like my energy was being completely drained. And all l I remember is the anxiety.
My question is - what have people done to recover from an anxious childhood? I feel like the groundwork was laid in childhood so it's important to somehow address it.
I hope some of that was coherent!
This is something that I still ruminate over and it is a source of pain for me. I guess what you need to do is remember that the idea of high school being the best time in your life is a fallacy. Most people didn't enjoy it that much, just the small handful of popular cheerleader and jock-types. At least that's how it was in my school. I try to focus on the other great times in my life. I loved college and graduate school. I loved having my first apartment and my first real job, and traveling abroad for the first time.
I think the other thing is reminding yourself that you are a very different person than you were then and you don't have to feel like you are that kid for the rest of your life. That kid is still in there but you are so much more than that now. You can be anyone you want to be and if you missed out on something, it's never too late do it.
That's all I can say. It's still something I'm figuring out myself.
I know exactly what you mean!
I grew from the anxious child, into an anxious teen, into an anxious adult. My entire life has been plagued with anxiety. With CBT, mindfulness, and meditation, I'm learning to change my entire thought process. Everything I once knew, I'm throwing it out and embracing healthy coping for the first time. In doing this, I'm letting go and creating new memories! As an adult, I'm realizing I can have fun and it's more than just feeling comfortable (because I know exactly what you mean by that). I push myself to get out there in the world and try new things, some are scary, but I'm noticing that a lot of the time, I'm having real FUN...and that makes up for a lot of my past. I see a limitless future with limitless opportunities to create new and fun experiences. Screw my childhood, I've got a whole future to enjoy. :)
I know it's not easy, but the more you get out there into the world, the more you expose yourself to, the easier it becomes. You will surprise yourself, in a good way many times. And those good times will build a foundation to which you can move forward knowing that anxiety doesn't have to hold you back.
I guess I have learned to accept and love myself enough to march to the beat of my own drum and learning from my past that no matter how terrible things were......I'm an adult and have the power to change anything and everything in my life.
By the way.....it took tons of counseling and two breakdowns to get where I am today. I would not be the sensitive, loving, caring, creative person I am today without all the crap I endured in my childhood and earlier adult life. My life is a work in progress. Through trial and error, I have found things that make me truly happy :)
I wish the same for you and everyone.
These are such great ideas and I really appreciate them. I think building a foundation on the positive that I do remember from my childhood and teen years is the direction I need to go.
And recognizing, like Ms Blank said, the flip side of anxiety - the positive side - that we are very caring and kind people. That's a real strength.
You all are helping me to look at this from a different perspective.
Thank you!