Thanks for replying. Jeeze, I'm sorry your dad and others dont understand, thats horrible. They dont seem to understand anxiety isnt something that just vanishes, its something u live with and have to keep under control. Thanks for sharing, I can totally relate to when u said, 'my mum seems to think if she can do it, then I must be able to as well.' thats very true.

they just dont hav a clue, do they. if only they could step in our shoes for the day and feel how awful anxiety is, i tell you they'd be forever sorry for not beliving how bad it is. hope ur feeling better now xx

Vix, you took the words out of my mouth! I'm just glad that we've gone thru this in a way, because if any of my friends ever suffered through anxiety, now I'd be able to relate and help them. I'd never want one of my friends to feel misunderstood, at least thats a positive way to look at it ;)!

I'm so sorry you had to experience this. It's hard when you're the one who is the "kid" but more mature then the parent. My dad was an ass about these things also. You're so insightful that will really help you through this. Hang in there, Chelle

Hey sorry to hear all of u having these problems too! I work with people who know about my problems, I did call them friends but I since found out they believed my panic attacks were attention seeking and I was putting it on and tht I didn't want to get better - what sort of an insult is tht??

With my family I am somewhat 'in' about my anxiety...they must know I have some sort of problem as has been the case throughout life but I don't talk to them about it, they don't talk to me. When I went school I had big probs, I wouldn't speak to people and had endless letters and such home...so it was obvious. My mum used to go through my room and all sorts. These days they refer to that period as a joke. Saying you wouldn't even speak to your teachers and LAUGHING. The teachers had told them I had mental problems. THEN they turn it all around saying 'after all you put us through...we thought you were gona do something stupid' THEN WHY did they do nothing about it?? WHY did they not try and help me? I wasn't going to go to them was I? I feel so failed by them and still do, how am I supposed to forgive them?

Mum's ill now with MS... and she has a go at me because I can't take her anywhere.. she says how come you never take me anywhere and I have no answer because she don't know I'm having treatment because if she did everyone I know would know and they would all feel sorry for her. All the problems SHE has. Asking me about it...I just can't do it.

I guess the point is people just don't understand anxiety but thing is they don't turn round to my mum see her with her MS and say stop feeling bad about it. Or see someone with a broken arm and still expect them to use it as a normal. The anxiety too us is like having that broken bone... and it is not our fault. I guess we all just have to be here for each other, so hugs to everyone out there...keep going and one day we will find a way to promote how debilitating this condition is and just what we go through..

Love to you all
Jo xxx

I am so sorry you were treated that way. I've always found it difficult when my family chooses to not try to understand. I also have depression on top of anxiety and the one thing that I hate to hear is: "But everyone gets depressed". No one realizes how debilitating it is to live with one of these illnesses. I pray for the day when all people will be accepting of each other no matter what their illness.

Not everyone gets depressed. Even my mom, who was a nurse and who suffered a lot of anxiety, is really understanding of what she understands to be clinical depression. She has the book knowledge but when she sees it in me, she just attacks me and says I'm lacking "a generous spirit" and compassion and that I'm a "B" and all. She says my ex was driven away by me and so on. She really doesn't understand that it's not in my control.

i did have but my dad turnt round to me teh other nite and he said he thinks i am losing the plot not nice because now i think i am losing it

i can relate to your story....i'm so sorry you had to experience that pain...keep working on yourself and do your best to ignore ridicule...i know..easier said than done...

I'm sorry to hear that. I can't believe they would make fun of you for that, especially your parents.

I came tot his site a few months ago when my Anxiety was really bad and it helped me so much. My attacks are calming down and I only have them a little at a time, not every night like I use to.

I'm only fifteen and I know what Anxiety is, I know I have it. I've talked to my mother about taking me to see my doctor because my friend told me I should. She has Anxiety too and I felt a sense of relief when she told me.

My mother, like always, blew me off on the subject, that's when I knew I was going to have to battle through it alone. It's hard, but I'm getting there. I wanted to get through it without help anyway and it's going good.

So, keep your head up. You'll make it. If you need to talk about anything or you're just having a bad day, message me. :)

xoxo,
Ashley

I'm sorry you experienced this. I am fortunate in a way because my mom and my sister both suffer with anxiety, so they know exactly how I feel. My brother was not really all that accepting because I think he believes it is wrong to be on meds. The bottom line is, I'm not living my life for any of them. I have to do what's best for me. If they don't understand, there's not much I can do about it. I have just come to the conclusion that life shouldn't be this difficult. My in-laws do not know about my anxiety issues yet, but I am not concerned. If they truly want what's best for me, they will understand. If not, it will be too bad for them and we will just have to agree to disagree.

hey, I can relate as well, my mum had anxiety, but seems to think i can just get over it, I have a real guilt complex, and to 'help' me get over my anxiety she told me how upset my dad was that he couldn't help!!!! Now I just don't tell them and let them believe everythings fine!
xxx

I have family members who behave like that. My grandmother always says to me when I'm anxious and depressed to 'pull my socks up'. It makes me really angry because she has no idea how bad I feel. I wish I could just 'pull my socks up' and feel better, but it's not that simple.