Are family and close friends accepting or having a clue about your anxiety? I'm very fortunate but it has taken me many years of suffering this disorder for most of them to even accept me as I am. Most importantly, my wife is just great but was aware of my anxiety when she married me 34 years ago.
My side of the family is very understanding as the remaining ones all have mental illness. It took years for my wife's side to accept that I just won't be showing up at the family functions. When I do show up they treat me like a rock star. Only problem is that I've aged 5 years since the last time. Most of them don't understand but have at least listened to my attempt to describe to them what it is like to live with anxiety. The one thing I have thankfully learned is that it is a waste of energy and agony trying to hide my illness from anyone. You've got to be willing to not give a rip about others being critical or thinking you're crazy to get to that point. Am hoping the majority of the members here have some supportive people surrounding them.
My side of the family is very understanding as the remaining ones all have mental illness. It took years for my wife's side to accept that I just won't be showing up at the family functions. When I do show up they treat me like a rock star. Only problem is that I've aged 5 years since the last time. Most of them don't understand but have at least listened to my attempt to describe to them what it is like to live with anxiety. The one thing I have thankfully learned is that it is a waste of energy and agony trying to hide my illness from anyone. You've got to be willing to not give a rip about others being critical or thinking you're crazy to get to that point. Am hoping the majority of the members here have some supportive people surrounding them.
but they say many things to my mother. which in turn comes back to me. which makes me feel like a p.o.s. are we ever gonna be ok??? like...i wonder if this disorder will ever be acknowledged by the people that we love the most. u said it took many years for your family to understand or get it. maybe mine just forgot...becuz i was ok "some what" for many years but now its smacked me in the face again