Yes I have found this too. And my family has been the biggest stressor for me. Especially my brother. I have dropped toxic people from my life, but how do you drop family. I see my brother as little as possible which helps a great deal, but when I thought I would see him on Thanksgiving my anxiety went through the roof. Thankfully he decided not to show and I relaxed but the residual affect of the anxiety lasted for 3 days after that. Ugh. Family....

My mother also would bring on anxiety attacks for me. She is so opinionated and judgmental of me that I would stress whenever she was near me or if we talked on the phone. We have worked on our issues and its much better now. But I still can't seem to be with her for more than a few hours and then the anxiety spikes again.

Ahhhh. Family....

I hope you made it through the holiday ok.

Take care

Ohhhh yes. I do know what you're talking about. It is so much better to be around confident people when you are nervous already. Some people can really help you find things to worry about when you didn't need any help in that department! But now of course you've got me thinking, 'Am I one of those people who is difficult to be around because I'm so neurotic?' Lol

I totally understand what you mean. Anxiety runs in my family, but I definitely get it from my mother. I also live with her so sometimes we can feed off of each other and make our anxiety worse. However, we do seem to have different triggers and different situations that make us anxious. I'm a bigger believer in energy and the different types of energy people project. Anxious people, like myself and my mother can tend to have very sporadic, nervous, and sometimes uncomfortable energy. When I'm around people like that I usually try to guard myself from their energy using different techniques. Might sound strange but I do believe it helps. On the other hand, being around people who are grounded (not anxious) can have the same grounding affect on me so I will try to find people like that to have around me. The problem becomes more difficult when family is involved and in that case I think you have to tell yourself that it's ok to step away if you have to. Sometimes taking care of yourself means removing yourself from the situation that's making you anxious, and I think that's healthy. Hope that helps.

I find I am at this stage too--I am starting to be more positive and find that I have surrounded myself with many neurotic negative friends--but that is who I used to be--now I have to limit contact with some and I will just refuse to go to the "crazy place" with others.... I feel mean sometimes--but I have actually gone into a panic attack after talking to one of them--so I have to protect myself....

Thank u all for your replies. I agree it is most difficult with familiy who u are obliged to be around, and even more diificult around the holidays when u are expected to spend time with them. I have been trying to give myself space so i can just have somr quiet serenity to reflect to myself. But this is not alwayd possible. I have found that i have become more vocal in sticking up for myself. Im not sure if this is assertive or just disrespectful
:/

This is why most times, I feel more comfortable around just my husband and my cats, people just in general make me nervous, unless I know they totally understand all my issues!