What Was It That Triggered Your Anxiety?

As I'm scrolling through some of these feeds on here, I'm just wondering since all of us have anxiety, did something trigger it in all of us or is it something that just happens to some people? Is there anyone in here that has had a great life and didn't fight with their parents or ever get bullied?

For me, I think growing up with an alcoholic mom with mood swings and then being betrayed by my best friends in middle school is what triggered it for me. I hate that I hang on to the fact that I was bullied in school, but I guess it's because it really affected me. From then, my life was on a downward spiral until I was about 19 or 20 yrs old, but by then it was too late. I was hooked on pain killers (self medication), and the damage was done. I had learned behaviors but not coping skills. I was lost. I had no one to lean on until I met my husband when I was 20. He showed me that life can be good (something no one else had ever done for me before). I didn't believe in good things happening until that point. But I'm 29 now and I still don't know how to live a good life. Sometimes when things are going "swell", I'll subconsciously do something to mess it up, like give my husband attitude to get a rise from him. It's like I'm not comfortable living a (from what I would label it) perfect life. But I'd love to learn how to be comfortable! And my husband has not one ounce of anxiety, depression and he has a great relationship with his parents and is never nervous talking to strangers. He's like the ideal person in my eyes.

Anyways, feel free to chime in with what you think brought you to your anxiety diagnosis and if there's anyone in your life that brings you hope! XOXO

Wow thanks for sharing that Bubba! Sounds like you've had an incredible life. I'm sure you're an inspiration to lots of people. It sounds so nice to be able to throw your boots on and go for a walk on the beach with your dog :) living somewhere either near a beach or somewhere warm is a goal of mine. I live in Pennsylvania where it's cold half of the year and not near a beach. It's also very fast paced where I live- I want to live where it's a lot slower and more telaxed. Anyways, glad to hear from you! You're never worthless!

I grew up in with a father that had depression, possibly bi-polar, ocd and anxiety. It was always about him and keeping him happy. No one else really mattered. For years I carried on as normal then menopause hit me and I've been struggling with my own anxiety and depression every since.

I only take Ativan as needed and some BP meds. So far the most help I've had is through therapy. I'd like to see more calm and less fear in my life.

Interesting question!

Nature Vs. Nurture has been a long standing 'debate' when talking psychology for a long time...

There are some people who have seen/lived through horrific things that don't suffer long term anxiety/PTSD/depression...

...and then there are those who have had upbringings that are considered ideal, that suffer terribly.

So I think it is completely an individual thing that does have a lot to do with how we are wired up...and how the balance of our brain's chemistry is set up.

For me, I think it is partially phsysiology and part circumstances...but I am not bound by either, and know I can overcome all with continued recovery efforts.:)

S.C.

My dad had anxiety and depression, so maybe mine was inherited. But until a few years ago, I never suffered from anxiety. I was a little high strung, I guess, and I have had a high stress life in many ways, but nothing that interfered too much with my QOL.

Then, around 4 or 5 years ago, I did something that I later regretted (with the benefit of hindsight, it was not so bad), and it sent me into an intense period of anxiety. I had never felt anything like it before. It was all-consuming. (At the time, my marriage was not in a great place, and I think that increased my stress).

I got treatment and, over a period of 4 or 5 months, got to a more stable place. But since then, I seem much more prone to anxiety. It is almost like that one event broke a dam, and although the dam was repaired it will never be as strong as it was. It seems like once or twice a year, something happens and it triggers anxiety for me. At those times, I almost thing of nothing else, and worry a lot, and fear the worst, and castigate myself for mistakes I made. It is not a good way to live...

My anxiety started about 6 months to a year ago I really didn't see it but here's what happen. All started with work. Did something stupid and got fired. ok no big deal got another job. Was having some chest problems stomach problems. Had a upper endoscopy done found I had Gerd. Some stomach ulcer. Had my heart checked my pulse was low 42 was scared. Had nuclear stress test done. Was told I had blockage. got scared. Was at work had chest pain. Went to doctor hospital had a cardiac cat done was very scared came out clear no blockage. Got fired from other job for doing something stupid. Then my teeth was hurting. Got teeth pulled. Had another root canal done hurt like heck still bothers me some. Started feeling weird yep anxiety took Xanax then doctor put me on Buspar. Buspar so far is helping take twice a day .5 says to take three times but I was scared to do three. Bring us to now o yea and had blood work done just have high cholesterol 241. And yep pulse still drops to 42 when I lay down or sit along time at least it goes up when I walk or do something. They are not worried about my pulse but I am.

Not sure but I have a guess.
I've always had health anxiety since I was a kid but the thing that made everything worse was me moving to Sweden, while my dad was sick. I guess this made me feel like I left him behind. Even though he had whole family around him.

Though my panic attacks stated 2 years after I got divorced from my first hubby. He gave me a good 4 years of hell during our marriage. I say panic disorder was the aftereffect.

First memory of panic was before 10, not a panic attack, but a feeling of being trapped and scared for no reason. Anxiety runs in my family. First panic attack in my teens. First "break down" i.e. anxiety severe enough to cause me to stop eating and sleeping (sort of like an intense panic attack that lasts for 2+ weeks) @ 25.

I think there's the predisposition, but how it "manifests" I think is more of a learned/habitual thing. One common trait I do see with fellow anxiety sufferers is a sense of unworthiness.