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| | It's natural to feel anxious about moving to a new place, starting a new job, or taking a test. But in the case of an anxiety disorder, the feeling of fear may be with you all the time. It can be intense and sometimes debilitating, causing you to stop doing things you enjoy.
Today, our team members open up about how anxiety affects their everyday lives. We encourage you to email us newsletters@healthline.com to share your experience, too.
Did you know? October is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Awareness Month. Next week, we're revealing our first narrative short film called "For All I Know," which emphasizes that OCD isn't a quirky personality trait but a serious disorder that affects every aspect of a person's life. Watch this space to find out when it's released and how to watch! |  | | |
| Q | | What's one thing you wish others knew about living with anxiety? | | | | A | | "A lot is happening that you can't see. It can affect my gut health, headaches, and how much time I need to 'recover' from social events. And it's also not linear. Though we certainly make progress when building tools through therapy or taking medication, it can be easy to mistake a person with an anxiety disorder for being 'all better,' especially after treatment, but that doesn't mean we won't be dealing with it in a more intense or different way in a few weeks, months, or years." — Naomi Wilde, engagement editor
"I need to be alone to process my feelings. I need space and time to sit with my thoughts before I'm able to feel like 'me' again. I've explained this to my friends several times, and they're becoming more comfortable leaving me alone. I've learned that it's on me to communicate these moments to them so that they're aware and don't worry. I'll bounce back … in my own time." — Kenny Thapoung, managing newsletter editor
"It's not always something that is 'logical' or can be reasoned through. A lot of triggers and responses can appear mundane or disproportional to someone who doesn't have anxiety. I can't explain why I react a certain way to seemingly small things, like going to the grocery store. Or if I can talk through it, it doesn't immediately cancel out the anxiety around it. So when I need support, I don't want the 'logical' approach, or to be questioned about it — emotional support goes a much longer way!" — Sarah Choi, associate editor
"If I say no to something, it's a form of self-care and not me being afraid to 'push myself.' I know the moments when I decide to be vulnerable, but I need to choose those myself. Someone else's well-intentioned 'tough love' actually just becomes another stressor, and it's a cue for me to focus my energy elsewhere." — Chrissie Moore, editorial director
"It's not linear. Some days I can cope (or even thrive!) in situations that would otherwise cause me a lot of anxiety. Others, I can barely manage to get out to the shops.
Chances are, most people with anxiety know about different coping mechanisms. While 'have you tried X?' undoubtedly comes from a kind place, it's possibly the least helpful thing to say to me, personally, when my brain just refuses to let coping mechanisms work." — Veronica Zambon, senior market editor | | | | | If you'd like to request a specific topic, offer feedback, or chime in with your answers to our weekly questions, feel free to email us at newsletters@healthline.com. We look forward to connecting with you and supporting you on the path to mental well-being. | | | |
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