Anxitey, Mental Illness or Not? Discussion

I made a stupid choice to look up Anxiety on the web and many people were calling it "mental illness" and that there is no way out of it except to cope with it and live with it. I don't like looking at myself thinking that I have a "mental illness" and it makes me sad to think that I might have to deal with it for the rest of my life.
What do you think about what Anxiety is? How do you put a positive spin on it? Negative thinking and extra sensitivity is what feeds it, so I was hoping to start a discussion on thinking positively about what most of us on here are experiencing. I think this will be of great help to everyone.

I have been dealing with this bout of anxiety for slightly over a year. Although things are getting better, I still have moments during each day that I feel the anxiety and tension at lower levels and it makes me sad as to why I have this condition. I have either stopped or slowed down some of the activities that made me happy before.

I had my last episode 15 years ago and 50mg of Zoloft, 0.5mg of Klonopin along with therapy completely pull me out of it within 4-5 months and I have lived an amazing, successful life, even better than before that episode. However, this time, it is taking its time despite medication, therapy, CBT etc...

Thanks very much and so looking forward to the positive spins on this Anxiety thing :)

Thank you S.C. I always hear great things from you. I truly appreciate it.
I would also love to hear what others have to say

I wish there weren't such a stigma on mental illness.

Your pancreas or gallbladder can become ill, and not produce the right enzymes or pump the right amount of stomach acid in at the right times to digest your foods and absorb your minerals. You take meds for it, change your eating habits, and manage it.

Your brain can become ill, and not produce the right chemicals or amounts of chemicals. You take meds for it, change your thinking habits, and manage it.

There is no difference in those two illnesses in my opinion. No matter what part of your body that isn't functioning correctly is ill.

Now, there are different types of illness. Many different types of heart conditions, and many different types of mental illnesses. I have a mitral valve prolapse, which is a mostly benign condition that doesn't require any meds or corrective surgery. There are those who need entire heart transplants. There are those you have anxiety, and there are those who have schizophrenia.

My MVP doesn't mean I'll develop other heart conditions. My anxiety doesn't mean I'll develop other mental illnesses. They are completely separate.

Keeping things in perspective, and using your coping skills to keep your logical brain in charge is key. With or without the help of medications. Not all people with anxiety needs medications to manage their illness.

Just my take on it.

Hi lexa,

I actually don't think of it as a mental illness now, more of physical symptoms.

I know it affects everyone differently and the severity of each case depends on the classification IMO. When I first developed the anxiety, it spiralled out of control for me and I would've classified it as a mental issue at the time as I had no idea what it was and had me really freaked out.

Nowadays I'm coping well and have the odd slight physical symptom, but like you am struggling with the fact I have "something"

"Our entire life - consists ultimately in accepting ourselves as we are." - Jean Anouilh