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anxiety over family comments and thoughts

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Posted 8/11/2012 3:02 PM (GMT 0)
Good morning, well my posting is because as some of you have heard...I suffer from health anxiety.GAD ..and yes some days are better than others but, my anxiety today is mainly because I went to my therapy yesterday and even though my therapist keeps teaching me ways to deal with it, I am still stagered for the fact that she said I am not sure what is causing this anxiety and since my dr appointment is this week...well I was at a family gathering last night and my brother who I had not seen for some time told me.."why haven't you overcome your anxiety, I did it pretty quickly" and maybe there is something wrong with you ...let me go back and tell you that I have an aunt who suffers from a mental illness and that is something that bothers me ever since I was diagnosed with anxiety...and when my brother noticed that I started to get anxious over his comment he said "you're hypocondriac never mind" I felt so bad because my sister and my brother both went through anxiety and depression and yes they overcame it...but why are they telling me this? I mean if they went through the same right? and then I talked to my dad and he explained to me that at the same age than me which is 31 he had the same symptoms, he just did not pay much attention and well ..this is what happened last night.  I really have received much support through this website...I know I am not alone....but the fear of me getting worse just gets to me...I know I have had a life full of stress..especially these last years but...I try to stay positive towards conquering this anxiety and not let it get the best of me....
Posted 8/11/2012 3:25 PM (GMT 0)
Hi

I can relate on the health anxiety and GAD as I also have both. Sorry to hear your anxiety is bad today sometimes a therapy session can increase anxiety but I have found things usually get better. Your body can not physically maintain high levels of anxiety so what I try to do now is just try my best to flow with the anxiety and stay in the moment.

It does not help when you have people who expect you to just snap out of things or overcome what ever issue you are having. We are all different some people will experience a mental health illness just for a matter of months while others including myself will be battling all our life's. I am glad you feel comfortable coming here for support as I know it helps me and I am sure you will find good support here.

Sometimes it is hard to pinpoint the exact cause of our anxiety and that can be very frustrating but if you keep taking small steps things will improve. I see it as living life on a roller-coaster we have our up and then we have our downs. It is important to enjoy those ups but remember that the downs always have an up on the other side.

It sounds like you are doing all the right things keep working with your therapist and if you have any concerns speak with your doctor. We are always here to listen and support you when ever you need.

Remember be kind to yourself and congratulate yourself on the progress you are making however big or small.


Take Care

hibee
Posted 8/13/2012 7:42 PM (GMT 0)
Hey cln777. I also suffer from many forms of anxiety as well as some physical problems (among other things). I also have dealt with a family that lacks empathy and is in fact abusive. Anxiety, depression, etc is not a one size fits all. I think your brother is being pretty nasty with his statements of "why haven't you overcome your anxiety, I did it pretty quickly and maybe there is something wrong with you" as well as saying "you're hypochondriac never mind". These statements not only undermine where you're trying to go with Therapy, etc... they're just plain mean.

Have you seen this therapist long? Do you like them? It does sound like anxiety runs in the family. How that's been passed on be it through behavior or whatever I don't know. Try to be good to yourself and don't let others define you.


Not So
TroubleFree
Posted 8/13/2012 8:10 PM (GMT 0)
Thank u, yes I ve seen my therapist for quite a while. When i first experienced anxiety and well i come from a family thats puts a lot of pressure and worries too much, also theyre perfectionist and so am I...altough not so much anymore you see im learning to differentiate myself from my family.
Posted 8/15/2012 9:44 PM (GMT 0)
Hey cln777. I wanted to suggest a book that I think you might find helpful in understanding your family and the dynamic that you have with them. I think this book could really help you in understanding your anxiety and causes. I have read 1000s of self help books (took snippets of good advice here and there, but didn't really find many to be that helpful for me personally).

Anyway, check out Toxic Parents by Susan forward. Read it and let me know what you think afterwards... it just may open your eyes to things you're not fully aware of. And even though the book is titled "Toxic Parents", it's more than just about parents... it deals with the dynamics within families and provides insight that extends beyond families into relationships that you have with other people. Definitely worth a try, even if you get it from the library.

Not So
TroubleFree
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