Struggling with Family Understanding My Anxiety

Did/does anyone else struggle with having family understand and deal with you having anxiety. It constantly feels as though my parents especially are trying to diminish my feelings. They sometimes seem annoyed that I get anxious over things that I can’t control. No matter how many times I tell them that I can’t control how I feel. It is never good enough to changes anything. When I’ve expressed it to them my dad tells me I’m saying this to make them feel bad and basically am being a bitch. I am a senior in college and honestly right now I kind of don’t want to go home for the holidays because I feel like I am tiptoeing around my family as to not make them uncomfortable with who I am and my anxiety. I am trying to get in to see someone, but haven’t been able to because of my class schedule and I haven’t been able to get a refill on my lexapro for a while now. (I haven’t told them this, because I’m afraid of their reaction) I want to get on something else because it felt like it wasn’t really working during the last bit that I was taking it.

Your answer

Quinee

2y ago

Hey, I feel you so much. For years I felt like my family just couldn’t figure out what I was going through. Finally, after very frustrating periods (!) My mother suggested that we go to the psychologist for treatment together, to process the feelings of us all. From my personal experience, it has greatly helped us! Maybe it's worth a try …

Cassidy

2y ago

Yes exactly

Magik

2y ago

Even my partner sometimes doesn't get my anxiety and it can be pretty rough to handle people not getting your problems.

MrFwarta

2y ago

The only think I can think of is practicing mindfulness, which could help the anxiety and your reactions to it. Just remember, this is more of a "them" problem than a "you" problem. They should be more empathetic of your feelings. I was only giving you advice because I can't give them advice. Never feel like it is your fault that you have anxiety. Also, try to talk to some positive supports that you have when you're feeling down about it. Friends or other people who you trust that don't make you feel bad for your conditions.

Pistachio

2y ago

That definitely helps. I do try to apologize every time, but it can be hard when my anxiety gets so bad, to the point that it has turned into depression in the past and expressing in the moment how I feel is hard because unless I explicitly say “I feel” it isn’t okay that I said something. I’m trying to be more aware of it, but I can be hard in the moment. Is there any advice to make sure I can take time in the moment before it gets bad?

MrFwarta

2y ago

Yeah, a lot of people don't understand it. It's hard to understand when you haven't went through it. Just remember to always take accountability for your actions so they don't think you're trying to make excuses. That's something I had to work on with my depression. I would act a certain way toward people and blame my depression. Blame the illness for how you feel, but apologize for the actions. Thats a little unrelated, but its useful advice for anyone I think.

Cassidy

2y ago

Yes

The content in this post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

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