Things People With Anxiety Want Others to Know

Things People With Anxiety Want Others to Know

Share what you wish others knew about #anxiety in a safe, supportive place: mgty.co/anxiety.

1. “I can’t just turn it off.”
2. “I never know when it’s going to hit me. And when it does, I just need you to support me.”
3. “My anxiety may stop me from doing certain things, but just being asked to join in can sometimes make my day.”
4. “In my mind, I think you’ll stop seeing me as a kind, funny and calm person if I tell you I’m not OK.”
5. “Anxiety doesn’t have a ‘look.’ I don’t need to be trembling or hyperventilating to be anxious.”
6. “Even when things are wonderful, I’m always waiting for something horrible to happen.”
7. “It may seem irrational to you, but what I’m anxious about is very real for me.”
8. “When I cancel plans, it has nothing to do with you… and everything to do with my panic attack.”
9. “Sometimes when I’m feeling anxiety, I have no idea what’s causing it.” why I’m anxious.”
10. “Most of the time you won’t know I’m having anxiety unless I tell you.”
11. “I need you to reach out to me, even when I’m so anxious I’ve stopped leaving the house. I need to know someone still cares and wants to see me.”
12. “Be patient with me; it doesn’t always look like a full-blown panic attack. It in anger or what looks like major frustration.”
13. “It’s not your job to fix me. Just love me the way I am.”
14. “When I can’t do something, no one is more disappointed than me. Please try to understand that.”
15. “When I’m being quiet, there’s just so much going on in my mind. Sometimes I can’t keep up with what’s going on around me.” 
16. “I analyze things constantly. I can’t turn my brain off and it can be exhausting.”
17. “Please don’t tell me to just get over it or that I’m being silly.”
18. “I’m sorry for every invite I’ve declined, every time I’ve seemed irrational because I was overwhelmed”
19. “I know I can be it can seem ridiculous at times, but please love me through it.”
20. “Sometimes I just need to be alone. It’s not personal. I just need to be alone so I can reset myself and breathe a little.”
21. “Don’t give up on me when I isolate myself.”
22. “I’m still me. I’m not my anxiety.” 

When someone lives with anxiety, the little things can be difficult.

Because mental illness is invisible, you may not notice the symptoms.

You never know what someone is going through. Offer support, not judgment.