Saying it out loud

[Shelleeb]

I have always found it very hard to say I suffer from anxiety.

I am always the one to say everything is going to be ok even if my world has fallen apart.

I have this fear that if I stand up and shout out to the world that I have anxiety, I take medication everyday and when it's really bad I need medication just to cope, then my life will coming crashing down around me. That there will be nothing left. I will have finally failed and succumbed to this awful illness.

I hope this makes sense to someone else.

[jess334]

Hi Shelleb,

I understand what you mean. It took me a long time before I felt comfortable just telling my mum or my partner when I am having a panic attack. Sometimes I still just say nothing, hoping that if I ignore it it will go away. Sometimes I feel that somehow admitting it out loud to others is an admission of failure. Or I think, 'why would I tell them and potentially ruin what fun they are having by making them worried about me'.

However, I never feel worse for talking about it. It doesn't always make me feel better (sometimes it does), but the worse thing that happens is I feel exactly the same.

Plus you would be amazed at how many people in your life are also suffering from anxiety or depression. Often people you wouldn't expect.

You don't necessarily have to 'shout it' out, but telling close friends and family can be really helpful.

Kind thoughts, Jess