Mental Health

10 Things I Wish I Could Tell My Parents About My Anxiety

Dear Mom and Dad,

I know it can be hard for you to understand my anxiety sometimes. I don’t always express it in the best of ways, but it’s because I can’t explain it to myself some days. This is a list of ten things about my anxiety I wish I could tell you.

1.  I’m not being f**cking overdramatic.

No, going out every so often probably won’t actually kill me, but it feels like it does, mom.

2. For real though, I can’t help my panic attacks.

I know it’s hard to explain to people why I start crying and hyperventilating when in a particular place, or when certain things are said, or when I make a D, but I can’t. Help. It.

3. There’s really nothing you can do to help.

It’s actually ingrained in my brain.

 

4. And no, it’s not your fault.

It’s nobody’s fault really. Again…just…ingrained…in my brain…

5. I’m actually trying, please understand that.

It’s harder for me to make friends, so please know that I’m doing the best I can.  I might not be the life of the party, but I’m okay with that.

6. Please don’t talk shit about my friends/partners.

I wouldn’t allow anybody who makes my anxiety worse in my life, so trust when I say that my friends and partners are good. What does make my anxiety worse is when you don’t approve, and have nothing but negative things to say.

See Also

7. If I don’t talk to you for a while (or don’t take your calls), it’s not personal.

I probably just need time to recollect my thoughts. I promise I’ll call you back. I still care.

 

8.  I’m not unmotivated, I’m actually really ambitious.

I’m not nearly as much of a slacker as you might think, I’m just anxious af about everything I do and how it’ll affect anything in the future, so I sometimes elect to not take any course of action.

9. I appreciate your understanding or attempts at it.

10. Sheltering me from everything isn’t going to help.

Sometimes I need to feel anxious and get past it in order to be a successful adult.

Anxiety is challenging to live with and explain to others who do not have it, can you think of anything else you would like to say to your parents that you wish they could understand better? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Featured image source: pinterest.com
Ely Murray

Queer, opinionated, and lover of literature and kiwis, Ely is a Communications major at Peace University. Their goal is to change the world.

Recent Posts

15 Sexy Plus Size Dresses That You Need In Your Closet

A sexy dress is the easiest way to look and feel confident - no matter where you are going. If…

5 hours ago

10 Healthy Snack Substitutes For Your Favorite Junk Foods

Sometimes junk food can be the most comforting thing. You've had a rough day, it's raining out, and all you…

8 hours ago

The Average SAT Scores For Colleges Across The Country

Taking the SATs can seem pretty scary. You have all of the practice tests and maybe you're even taking a…

11 hours ago

10 Best Places To Cry At University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Coming into college, we are constantly told of all the fun times, great memories, and lifelong friends you will make during…

15 hours ago

10 Things To Do Around Kent State University That Are Free

Having a good time in Kent does not necessarily mean you need to spend a ton of money! There are…

23 hours ago

5 Reasons Why I Chose UNC at Chapel Hill

My hands were shaking. I stared at the bottom of my computer screen where the words “View your decision here”…

1 day ago