Explaining Anxiety Disorders and Self-Doubt to Non-Sufferers

It's been three to four exhausting months. I don't usually know how to explain my anxiety. This is something new to me. I never had it. Or, had this. I don't know if I have a disorder but, I just know anxiety. Sometimes, its intense and ill have panic attacks. I'm learning to not let my thoughts carry me into panic attacks. Thank you for this! It explains exactly how I feel, always. Others don't always understand. I have just started therapy but I even doubt that. I've been having to make important decisions but, I always doubt that too. Well, I doubt and overthink I just try not to give into it.

[…] Spesso mi chiedo dove tutto nasce da – questo eccessivo bisogno di scusarsi per tanti chi soffre di ansia. Naturalmente, siamo tutti diversi, ma per me è la sensazione di essere in qualche modo rosicchiare nel modo – una parte sciolto, una ruota di scorta e un fastidio (Ansia e dubbio di auto). […]

I do agree with all the ideas you have offered to your post. They’re very convincing and can definitely work. Nonetheless, the posts are very short for beginners. May just you please lengthen them a little from next time? Thank you for the post.

I've been going back and forth on whether I should post this or not. But I still can't figure out how to handle the doubt. Because I get these obsessive thoughts that don't go away. Sometimes I know it's anxiety and can put it out of my mind sometimes I get really anxious about it and can't focus on anything else. But when I'm anxious about whatever it is that time, it feels so real. The anxiety doesn't feel like it's just anxiety. It feels like something is really wrong. For example I had these horrible bouts of nausea that lasted weeks and because I've always had a fear of cancer I thought I had stomach cancer. And no matter what anyone said or did, as long as I was suffering from the nausea I was convinced I had cancer. It turned out to be acid reflux but the question is: Was that part of my anxiety disorder? Or would anyone be that anxious about stomach cancer just because of some nausea? I should mention I'm also bipolar so maybe that changes things but I don't know and I'm very anxious that all these things I'm worried about are not from the anxiety disorder but because they actually are a real threat to me, and it makes life almost impossible to navigate. And if it is just anxiety, how can I put it out of my mind if it feels so real?

You have explained my anxiety disorder and thinking better than any shrink, counselor, and family member could explain to me what it is like. I have the same feelings and thoughts exactly. I seem to feel like my anxiety disorder is at bay, or should I say just hovering waiting for the next to obsessively worry about. I hope I can get to the acceptance part of accepting this is what I have, and tell myself "It's just the anxiety rearing it's ugly head, and roll with it!" I have read that once one accepts that is all it is, they tend to deal with it easier?

I'm 46 years old and have suffered from GAD all my life. It has caused several major depressive episodes in my lifetime. I've read so many articles and have seen therapists, but this article has spoken to me more than anything I've read or learned about my disorder. I'm constantly questioning myself and it is exhausting at times. Sometimes, however, it makes me very thorough in my job and projects that I do. But, it takes me forever to let go of decisions that I've made in order to move forward. I hate that I dou myself so much.
Thanks for writing this article and sharing it. It feels good to know I'm not alone.

This article helped me very very much. It comforted me more
than anything. I am diagnosed with GAD, and it causes major insecurity in myself and doubt in just about everything I do. It's causing problems in my relationship, that have become much more extreme as my anxiety takes over more and more, to the extent where I find it difficult to focus on the good times with him, because everything is I see is seen through such a negative filter. What you said about lining up the facts is very true. Although for some reason, the mind can overpower the facts. :( Wonderful article though. Definitely shows the mindset of someone suffering very clearly to those not suffering. Funny how sometimes it's hard to believe that everyone around us isn't filled with these thoughts as well, especially with paranoia/excessive worry.

This is my living hell at the moment! My anxiety has made me doubt my very identity, I can't even enjoy hobbies anymore because me brain keeps me in this self doubt where I wonder if I'm even enjoying myself or 'doing things right' and that just ends up giving me more anxiety so I'm afraid to even start. And im so tired from it that everything gets muddled up in my brain anyway which leads to more anxiety and feeling worthless! Iv tried to explain it to my parents but really I know they don't get it.. Why would they? No one but people like us fully understand what it's like to question every thought and analyse if it ok/normal! I know when I have these thoughts that they are just thoughts and nothing more but constantly have to reassure myself is just exhausting! Sigh..

Thanks very much for that and it explains exactly how I feel! My problem is I don't know how or what is normal and I'm so scared of my future and just emotional about everything. But I'll be fine for ages then some little thing like not doing something right at work will be me straight back to feeling this way.

Oh man; doubt is what "kills me the most! I stress out too often about illogical and irrational things of which I doubt. Good article

Thank you so much for putting into words what I feel everyday! You explained anxiety beautifully!

This article has helped me to understand the link between anxiety and self doubt. Thank you

So true, I am always trying to find the bottom line and not knowing where or how to look. When I was asked if I could go back to a difficult situation from the past what would help me feel better about it? It was to have something/someone validate my feelings that what I felt about what happened was right. To think that 45 years later I still doubt my observation of that what happened to me was as bad and abusive situation as it obviously was!

have a read of "the chimp paradox". Those negative feelings and voices come from your "chimp" which is the part of your brian that deals with emotions. It is very powerful, but can be managed by your human side, which deals with rational thinking.

i agree with the others. this was so on target for what i go through every day. i depend on my therapist a lot and to some extent my sister whom i live with. trusting the wrong people has been devastating to me in the past. i'm very careful now. thank you for a great article.

Thank you for the excellent way in which you describe the horrible burden of self-monitoring. It is simply exhausting. Great article.

Thank you. I enjoyed this article. I hadn't really thought about this being a part of my anxiety. I just figured I was unsure of myself or just have low self esteem. I tried to stop second guessing myself but it just seems to be a part of who I am. I figured I was careful about anything I did. It is difficult to manage. It is sometimes time consuming and overwhelming to say the least.

Excellent article.

Thank you for writing this. I've noticed that I can't trust my own judgment. What makes it worse is when those around me realize that I don't trust myself and use that to their advantage, to manipulate me. Sadly, there are a lot of predators out there that see me and people like me as easy prey. Even those who claim to love us.

I agree with Kendria. This was very informative. I ave developed memory problems and confusion seems to go along with it. I felt like I was going down a long tunnel and could see no way out. By writing out what I want in my future and marking small but positive goals toward that, I am slowly making progress. All the information that I can find on my disorder and direction that is pointed out to me keep me from giving up. I want my life back!

This was a great article. The last paragraph is probably the best thing I have read in helping describe to others what a day in my life is like. Thank you for posting this.

thank you for sharing,this was very informative.