Anxiety disorders are the most pervasive mental disorders in the U.S.
And it’s a commonly found illness, affecting over 40 million adults age 18 or older, or 18.1% of the population. Unfortunately, only about 37% of those suffering receive treatment, probably due to the stigma still surrounding mental illness. Until recently, scientists thought that a hyperactive amygdala – the brain’s emotional processing center – caused anxiety.
However, new studies have come out showing that anxiety is caused by complex interactions between different brain regions and that by being able to overpower the emotional brain by using cognitive rationality, anxiety will be reduced.
Cognitive behavioral therapy, medication, or a combination of both can usually help reduce anxiety symptoms. Also, eating healthy, exercise, getting enough sunlight and sleep, reducing stress, and other lifestyle factors can help symptoms of anxiety.
However, people with anxiety will tell you that it isn’t an easy disorder to manage by any means, and it usually requires lifelong treatment to keep symptoms under control. Below, you’ll find first-hand experiences from different people who have suffered from anxiety their whole lives.
We hope you find comfort in their stories and that they will serve as a reminder that you are not alone.
25 People Describe Their First Experience With Anxiety
1 – Malia A.
I could date this all the way back to grade school. Not wanting to go to Wednesday night church because I was so shy and afraid I would get asked to be called on or someone would just want to talk to me. I would feel physically sick because if it. #My1stExperienceWithAnxiety
https://twitter.com/_carbsandcoffee/status/1143366018087211014?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
2 – Rebecca
#My1stExperienceWithAnxiety Interesting. It’s hard to pinpoint because mine is clinical. I think, it started in grade school when waking up in the morning would give me such a terrible stomachache I would beg my mom not to go. Everyday for weeks on end I would want to stay in bed
— Rebecca ? (@rherm93) July 1, 2019
3 – Tristitia
https://twitter.com/TaemintFever/status/1143054906674372608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
4 – Nico
#My1stExperienceWithAnxiety I can't remember too well because truthfully, I've always had it. But my first full blown panic attack was at 17. Body and brain felt like static, felt like I was breathing thru a straw, dizzy, nauseous, pacing into late hours… shit is NOT sweet.
— artist. (@BfromdaC) June 28, 2019
5 -Nohemi
https://twitter.com/nohemi_cats/status/1143301030697771009?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
6- Jennifer
https://twitter.com/RoseJenniferben/status/1143226942671466496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
7 – Brittney
#My1stExperienceWithAnxiety I remember walking into my schools cafeteria and suddenly I felt like all eyes were on me and I felt myself starting to panic and the tears started to well up as I kept walking. I was 12 at the time and to this day this feeling hasn’t gone away.
— b r i t t n e y (@brittneygamezz) June 23, 2019
8 – Bella
https://twitter.com/BellaGMendoza/status/1143024745862041601?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
9 – Lindsay F
https://twitter.com/Wethepeoplehope/status/1142986348934156294?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
10 -Brittany L.
#My1stExperienceWithAnxiety when i was in kindergarten. I was walking down the hall and looking at my feet, then i started thinking too much about walking, and how walking happens, i started to feel disconnected from my legs and then started tripping over my own feet.
— Brittany Furlan Lee (@BrittanyFurlan) June 23, 2019
11 – Chloe
Anxiety has followed me my entire life, but a moment I remember was at my brother’s high school graduation. I was happy and taking pictures, and then out of nowhere I started feeling dizzy and totally disassociated from what was happening. #My1stExperienceWithAnxiety
— Chloë (@beaujolais_) June 23, 2019
12 – Maddie
https://twitter.com/Maddie_Magpie/status/1143056269084745728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
13 – Arya
https://twitter.com/arya_kidding_me/status/1142972064799895553?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
14 – Gamerga
https://twitter.com/Gamergal67/status/1142962325508374528?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
15 – Jacqueline Z.
i don't remember #My1stExperienceWithAnxiety but i do remember when i finally told my parents that i couldn't bring myself eat or sleep and i didn't know exactly ~why~ that was happening. i knew it was anxiety, but i had no reason to be anxious. i was on vacation.
— jacqueline zegler (@jacquelinezegs) June 24, 2019
16 – Jim
Left work mid day in gasping panic bc my wife (who had my infant son) didn't answer the phone.
Didn't tell boss. Sped through red lights with tunnel vision thinking I had to save them. They were fine.
I was a school teacher.
— Dr. Jim (@SinCityShrink) June 24, 2019
17 – Bekah K.
https://twitter.com/Bekah_Kashorek/status/1142947062713073664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
18 – McSpocky
https://twitter.com/mcspocky/status/1142920628212625408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
19 – Kaz W.
#My1stExperienceWithAnxiety was in 3rd grade. I began to panic as I walked to the school bus & started to cry & hyperventilate on the bus. The principal eventually called my Mom to come get me.
It would be nearly 2 decades later before I recognized that as my 1st panic attack.
— Kaz Weida (@kazweida) June 23, 2019
20 – Alana
I don't remember #My1stExperienceWithAnxiety but I do remember my first panic attack.
It was about 4 years ago and I considered calling 911 because I felt like I was dying.
Panic attacks are no joke.— Alana (@apatheticalien7) June 23, 2019
21 – Jordan D.
i don’t remember exactly #My1stExperienceWithAnxiety since i’ve always had it, but i do remember the first time it became physically debilitating. i was driving 2 hours to the second week of my hairspray show, i couldn’t breathe or see straight for 4 hours. i thought i was dying.
— Jordan Doww (@JordanDoww) June 23, 2019
22 – Joolz
I guess I’ll participate bc why not lol #My1stExperienceWithAnxiety
I missed months of school during middle school and just told everyone i was sick bc I didn’t know what was happening. I experienced dissociation/dreamlike feelings and constant dizziness— jules ? (@jhodges444) June 23, 2019
23 – Nadir
I was around 7 yrs old. My babysitter (who grew up living on Bob Jones campus) told me that unless I got forgiveness for my sins from Jesus, I would burn in hell throughout all eternity. I stayed up all night crying and begging God not to burn me up. #My1stExperienceWithAnxiety
— Elizabeth Spero (@WaxWidow) June 23, 2019
24 – Allis
https://twitter.com/MC_Allis/status/1143308629518372866?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
25 – Elle
#My1stExperienceWithAnxiety I honestly can't pin it down to one moment. Growing up was a constant state of anxiety. Don't say the wrong thing or mom will get angry. But it was never clear what "wrong" was. She could snap at anything. pic.twitter.com/xaxWEEQA2S
— Elle Summers (@ElleBSummers) June 23, 2019