Anyone ever consider the positives of anxiety?

[JohnnyD]

I know your first thought was probably to scoff or laugh at this notion. I agree that the negatives are numerous and overwhelming but there are some characteristics that anxiety gives me that can be helpful.

Because of the constant thinking (and overthinking) very rarely do I forget things. When I have projects at work I am very well organized and make sure I go above and beyond what is asked of me. I think this relates to my fear of failing and the displeasure I feel when I am reprimanded. Therefore, most of the time I have a pretty good rapport with my boss because he knows I will treat projects like they are my baby.

Another positive is my time management. My anxiety goes crazy when I am running late. I hate standing out for negative reasons. Professionally, I am almost always on time and the same thought process carries over to deadlines. If I tell someone I will have something done by a certain time, my mind will "bug" me until I make it happen.

Also my customer service and attitude when dealing with the public is heightened, I believe because of my anxiety. My anxious mind has the desire to please. When I know someone is angry or upset with me I have a very hard time turning off those thoughts. I fester on them and make the situation seem much worse in my mind than it normally is in reality. To combat this I am very friendly and conversational with most people. These friendly exchanges help keep positive thoughts in my mind and in turn I am normally viewed as a "people person".

I know that most of the time anxiety is viewed very negatively and honestly "rightfully so". However, I am convinced that there is always a positive and silver lining to everything. I try my best to focus on the positive instead of focusing on the negative.

I hope all is well with you all and if not we can all work on it together!

 

[janemariesayed]

Ha ha, @JohnnyD yes I did laugh when I started to read your post, but as I read on I understand that you put across a very good point.

I do constantly think things over and over and like to please people. But in work, like for example, I worked in a bakery shop serving. The boss said I was her best worker because I am like you with working. But my fellow workers would hate it and despise me for it.

I'm not just anxious though. I'm depressed too and have PTSD and cptsd. I try to please people but feel I say the wrong thing and I'm afraid I'll upset them.

It's a very good point to put across, I'm interested to see how other members think of this too?

 

[JohnnyD]

I understand. I definitely am not trying to say that the positives of anxiety outweigh the negatives but I just thought it was interesting to look at it in a different light.

Has anyone else ever tried this? Any thoughts?

 

[janemariesayed]

I understand. I definitely am not trying to say that the positives of anxiety outweigh the negatives but I just thought it was interesting to look at it in a different light.

Has anyone else ever tried this? Any thoughts?

Yeah, and don't they say that every cloud has a silver lining?

 

[Rogdog]

Hey JohnnyD.

I agree with you totally. I have a constant anxiety, that keeps me absolutely running, trying to control everything and prove I am ‘good’.

As a result I’ve had an amazing career, and really interesting life. My inability to let go and relax has kept me pushing long past when others have put their feet up.

It is only as I get ever closer to retirement that my inability to let go and relax has become a huge concern. I want to enjoy my life, but as soon as I stop focusing on achieving, I start to be overcome with constant fear. I’ve had as much success as I want, but can’t stop and enjoy it.

It has been a double edged sword for me.

All the best


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Kaynil]

Anxiety works differently for everyone and so the different methods we have to cope with it. I agree it is good to see the positive but I don't want to give the credit to the anxiety. I think the credit goes to each of you and what you have taught yourselves to make the best coping with it.

As for me, I feel it made me become a lot more empathetic and less entitled than what I'd be if I wasn't constantly assessing everything taking into account other people's perspectives. I would go lengths people would say to me, "what's the point, do you think the other person is going to be thinking of you when is reversed?". If I can relate to a possible outcome in a situation I will avoid putting other people through it. In that sense, I feel content with my moral compass and although I am gaining a bit more confidence in me I never want to become someone who just doesn't think or realise when is causing pain to others.

 

[Claraviolet]

Honestly, I never thought anxiety have a positive side until now.
Guess it does have a positive side to it. I try to keep things in order and I rarely do mistakes at work. OCD combined with anxiety wouldn't let you to forget anything.
Even some of my colleagues want me to check their work before sending.
I check something for about 5-6 times or so. Otherwise I would feel uneasy about it. I sanitize my hands often and I tend to keep everything clean.
I organize my work and concentrate on the priority work first and it helps me a lot in meeting the deadlines.
But when compared to negatives, the positives are less, according to me.

 

[He Man]

My anxiety experience basically started little over 2 years ago..
Before this I didn't have much empathy for people suffering from anxiety, depression, etc. I largely had an ignorant, tough-love belief that anxiety could just be overcome with a person's will power.. & a lot of suffering people just weren't trying/working hard enough to overcome it..
My experience has been very eye-opening to my previous ignorance, & has broadened my empathy. In this way, I believe I've spiritually benefitted from anxiety..

 

[scharley1973]

Anxiety works differently for everyone and so the different methods we have to cope with it. I agree it is good to see the positive but I don't want to give the credit to the anxiety. I think the credit goes to each of you and what you have taught yourselves to make the best coping with it.

As for me, I feel it made me become a lot more empathetic and less entitled than what I'd be if I wasn't constantly assessing everything taking into account other people's perspectives. I would go lengths people would say to me, "what's the point, do you think the other person is going to be thinking of you when is reversed?". If I can relate to a possible outcome in a situation I will avoid putting other people through it. In that sense, I feel content with my moral compass and although I am gaining a bit more confidence in me I never want to become someone who just doesn't think or realise when is causing pain to others.

i agree with you i dont see much good in having anxiety...it makes us organized, we overthink everything, ect... thats just another mental health issue its called OCD! i also agree and give you all credit for learning how to cope with it and seeing it as more of a positive in your lives tho. but in mine not so much. as you said, everyone has different degrees of this and how it effects us. no positives for me.