The Best Internet Explanation Of Anxiety, EVER!

When people ask me questions about my anxiety, I often find it really hard to explain. I understand that it is hard for others to understand and one day while wandering around the internet world, I stumbled across this. I can't quite remember where I found it but it explains the feelings often experienced by someone with anxiety perfectly and is well worth sharing! (Text description of images included)

When Anyone Asks Me About Anxiety...

'When anyone asks me about Anxiety I always compare it to the weather. It's kind of like going for a walk when it starts to rain, and realising you don't have an umbrella - "Balls!"'

Everyone Else Seems To Own An Umbrella

'Everyone else seems to own an umbrella. And they all ask: "why do you always get rained on?!", "why don't you just buy an umbrella?!"'

Except You Can't Just "Buy An Umbrella"

'Except you can't just "buy an umbrella" and the weather just seems to get worse and worse and WORSE, and there's nothing you can do to stop it either'

You Worry About Things That Sometimes Aren't Really A "Problem" At All.

'When you suffer from anxiety sometimes you worry about things that aren't really a "problem" at all: 'Oh god, everyone hates me, I'm a terrible person why do I even bother? Oh god, Oh god, OH CHRIST". Like maybe if you say something really stupid mid-conversation: "Happy Birthday!"... "Thank you, happy birthday to you too!!"'

Causes Of Mild Embarrassment For Some People Could Cause A Full-Scale Mental Blowout In Someone Who's Anxious

'What would cause mild embarrassment for some people could cause a full-scale mental blowout in someone who is anxious a lot: "I'm going to be a horrendous failure!!".

To offload my own anxiety, I try to tell people about how I feel when it starts to get really bad: "I feel like everyone is going to get fed up of me and not want to be around me anymore."'

At First, People Are Very Supportive...

'At first, people are very supportive...

"You will always have our care and support."

"Of course we still love you!"

"We are always here to talk if you need to!"

"I promise you don't have to worry about that"

"Everyone feels like that now and again, its okay!"'

After The Fourth Or Fifth Time However...

'After the fourth or fifth time however...

"That's just how the world works."

"This is getting silly, now."

"Do you ever stop worrying or complaining?"

"Get over it, Jesus Christ!"

"This is starting to annoy me."

"If you know its all in your head then why are you still like this?"'

I Get So Scared My Anxieties Will Be Fulfilled I Stop Saying Anything At All

'As a result, I get so scared my anxieties will be fulfilled I stop saying anything at all. Which takes me back to square one again. I understand that having to support someone who feels like this can be frustrating especially when the solution seems so simple.'

Please Understand That People Who Suffer With Anxiety Have Very Little Control To Stop It

'But please understand that the majority of people who suffer with anxiety have very little control to stop it, and you probably won't be able to stop it, either. Constant reassurance and patience, however, usually does a pretty good job!'