What's something positive your anxiety has brought out in you?

[amy88]

This might sound like a weird question, but hear me out!


I think my anxiety has really helped me be more empathetic of others. I feel like in a way being anxious makes me more receptive to notice those things in other people - so when someone is going through a tough time for instance, I tend to be able to notice it before others might.


Can you think of any positive things that your anxiety may have brought out in you? Have you noticed that you're more compassionate towards others, too?

 

[gracer]

Well, I have a lot of anxieties but I guess if there's one positive thing my various anxieties have taught me is to accept that I cannot control everything. I have somehow learned to cope with things that don't go my way and just accepted the fact that the world is full of factors that I just have to adjust with.

 

[hades_leae]

For me, Anxiety has made me realize that in the most important situations in my life, I have to be strong enough to make myself over come Anxiety. It has made me realize how much I can make myself rely on self-motivation. I love the feeling because when I think about something that I used to struggle with because of Anxiety.


I also think about how I told myself that I did not want the problem, and how I motivated myself to come up with ideas, and things that I could practice for myself in order to prevent Anxiety attacks in situations I wanted to be in control of. It made me want to understand my Anxiety problem so I could find a solution.

 

[John Snort]

People always talk about living in the moment. And most don't even know what that really means. Anxiety taught me how to live in the moment. I've been in tough situations before and whilst trying to solve my problems I realized that anxiety didn't help. It just robbed me of happiness but when I stopped worrying about what might happen in future I became happier. So maybe that's the only positive thing I gained from anxiety.

 

[Robilas]

After experiencing anxiety I am more empathic. Whenever I see someone having a problem I always compare it to my situation, so it's easier for me to understand how hard even a stupid problem can be. In my opinion having anxiety helps you putting things in perspective and understanding other people's pain.


Another upside is that I understood how to force myself to do things: I know that I lterally need to do some things against my will and know how to make me do them.

 

[joshposh]

You do have a point. You do have a better understanding of anxiety as a whole and you do become a better understanding person after experiencing it first hand. If I went through life not experiencing it, I wouldn't have as much patience as I do now with anxiety sufferers. Takes on to know one. Everyone has heard that one before.

 

[NormaD]

Anxiety has helped me to be able to counsel others who suffer from similar problems. I am at a place emotionally where I can be there for them so much more than I would have been able to had I not experienced it myself.

 

[Sue]

I have to agree because of my anxiety and depression issues I am better able to understand people who are going through the same thing. Some people who don't understand it will think that they simply can just get over it but I know that it isn't the case. I am always there to help people who need somebody when they aren't doing so well. This is real and it is easier to understand it if you are dealing with it too. I have also learned how to deal with it and what triggers it so I am aware when it is going to happen. I know myself and my body and how it is going to react to different situations. As much as I dislike this it has made me a better person.

 

[Laneorexorcist]

Well, yes. I have noticed that I also became more empathic to people or more considered to them, I try really hard to don't make them the things that give me anxiety, even if they don't really have a problem with that, I think that it's always good to try to make them feel more comfortable, I guess. I also have became really aware of the little details, and when it comes to my personal presentation, it almost always looks really good and put together, and I really like that.

 

[Jemina]

I'd definitely agree that I'm more sympathetic towards others and try to be more understanding as a result of my anxiety. I tend to see these things more in other people than I would have done had I not had the issues I have I think. I also tend to read people better I think as a result of the anxiety because instead of leaping into things I tend to sit back and watch first which makes me feel like I can understand people better than I would have otherwise.


My anxiety has probably also helped me to be more cautious in situations that could otherwise have ended badly, if that counts? Such as always checking I've locked the doors and windows has quite possibly stopped my house from being burgled again.

 

[Corzhens]

It is not me but my husband who has anxiety issues. His first attack was a long time ago, sometime in 1986. Anyway, he has been recovering at times but mostly he is normal. And for the positive thing with his anxiety, I have noticed that he has become tame. He used to be temperamental who is easy to blow up even with petty matters. Simple mistakes are big deal to him. But when he had to face anxiety, he had learned to be a little kinder with people. He seldom shouts and if he does then that means he has a good reason for that. He also does not curse but when he curses then that also means the person being cursed is terribly wrong. I cannot question his generosity but he sometimes become over-generous to a fault that's why I call his attention to that. Maybe it is the effect of his medication - the tranquilizer that relieves him when he suffers an anxiety attack.

 

[NormaD]

I think it's really great that as fellow sufferers from this anxiety disorder we have all found at least one positive thing to take away from all this. Every thing that happens to us in life happens for a reason, and if we just take every experience as an opportunity to learn, then we will live more successful and joyful lives, regardless of whatever else may be going on in our circumstances.

 

[fuzyon]

I guess I'm not as easily fooled and gullible, having anxiety makes you view the world in a darker tone than it actually is so I guess it helped me be more aware. Also, the battle with anxiety has made me much stronger mentally and I started to not sweat the little stuff anymore. Battling this illness is eye-opening and can make you be more mature.

 

[sidney]

Suffering from anxiety has made me realize that it can indeed be managed. I used to be averse to going out of the house and mingling with people when I was younger, but as I grew up the anxiety just faded. I think it all has to do with your maturity level and your state of mind. Anxiety has made me discover that you can overcome it because "it's all in your head", and once you make a conscious effort not to be anxious, then you will be successful in mastering your emotions.

 

[It'sJaz]

It helps me to understand others better, and also, helped me realise that I'm the only one who can change anything about myself. I think there's always something to be gained from every obstacle. If I could choose, I would still rather be 'special' than be normal like everyone else, it's opened me to different perspectives and I'm not giving that up.

 

[MellowCat]

My anxiety has allowed me to be more kind and emphatic too. But it has also gotten me to be braver and more outgoing. As I have had to learn to deal with a lot of things on my own. For a long time I was isolated where I lived and had no friends, so I was forced to pretty much do everything by myself. It got me to learn to fend for myself in ways that I may not have had I had more friends around to rely on. It got me to talk more and take initiative in seeking out new friendships as well.


My depression and anxiety are probably actually what caused me to meet some of my best friends. I created an online group at one stage for people in my area just so that I could meet some friends. In this way, not only did I find people who could understand my situation, but I also learned to be brave by getting out of my comfort zone. And I'm so glad that I did, because even years later, I still keep in touch with all of those friends!

 

[djordjem87]

Sometimes it makes me stay in and being in my room all alone is sometimes a good thing for me. Too much of everything going on and nobody gives a shi* about it. When I hit my limit it is quite visible and they live me alone. I just disappear for some period of time until I get my rabbits in order. Nothing good from it actually, apart from that. Maybe I will recall something but for now my only hint is my heart pumping like crazy, me sweating and panting. Nothing good about this.

 

[AnxietyNerd]

It has made me much more aware of my thoughts because If i am able to control my thoughts, I would be able to easily get rid off anxiety and keep the attacks at bay. So these days in order to avoid the attacks, I am much more cautious regarding what I am thinking and try to only think positive, to keep the attacks away.

 

[Panic57]

I've finished a lot of work because my anxiety would keep me up all night. I finished a novel and most of my illustrations during the night. The constant nervousness and endless worry that I won't finish on time keeps me working hard even when I'm exhausted. I never do sloppy work because I always worry about what people will think about my work so I try not to release bad work.

 

[kelden]

Anxiety taught me the value of time and the consequences I have to face If I don't even try to achieve my goals for being to afraid of failure. It allowed me to realize sheer self-loathing leads towards nowhere, and also that normal people deals with social problems too.