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i saw anxiety trending and i felt like i really needed to contribute to the conversation about mental health.
when i was 5-10 years old, i was "sick" a lot. thunderstorms. when i got in trouble. when someone else got in trouble. when someone got hurt. 1/?
when i was 5-10 years old, i was "sick" a lot. thunderstorms. when i got in trouble. when someone else got in trouble. when someone got hurt. 1/?
after she 10, everything had to be perfect. my handwriting, something as simple has a hand drawn circle, how i wrote assignments in my planner, how my books were stacked in my desk, how my softball pants met my socks, everything.
in high school, if my grades weren't "a" across the board, that sick feeling from my childhood came back.
all of my emotions were anger. worried that you didn't answer the phone? anger. you're late and you didn't tell me? anger. i saw an ambulance and then you didn't answer?
all of my emotions were anger. worried that you didn't answer the phone? anger. you're late and you didn't tell me? anger. i saw an ambulance and then you didn't answer?
you guessed it. anger.
anxiety manifested differently in different stages of life. it still does. i lash out a lot in anxiety, and then i'm responsible for cleaning up the messes i made, softening the blow of my anxious angry words.
anxiety manifested differently in different stages of life. it still does. i lash out a lot in anxiety, and then i'm responsible for cleaning up the messes i made, softening the blow of my anxious angry words.
i didn't know why i was sick when it stormed when i was a kid until i started taking classes in psychology in college.
a few weeks into abnormal psychology i had a full blown, traumatizing anxious meltdown about my future.
i needed to see someone. anyone.
a few weeks into abnormal psychology i had a full blown, traumatizing anxious meltdown about my future.
i needed to see someone. anyone.
for 10 years i didn't tell ANYONE about the anxious feelings i had, i always just said "i was worried about you!" or "oh, i'm just a perfectionist."
it not normal to make yourself sick, angry, and paranoid for the sake of keeping your real feelings inside.
it not normal to make yourself sick, angry, and paranoid for the sake of keeping your real feelings inside.
it's okay to reach out. it took me a long time to be okay with addressing my anxiety with a professional. i still can't find the roots of some of my worst triggers. but it's getting better!!
your friends will understand you when you speak about your anxiety.
your friends will understand you when you speak about your anxiety.
instead of lashing out, understand why you feel that way. when waves of anxiety roll in, ask yourself what triggered your feelings.
it's okay to take medication, and go to therapy, and to talk to your friends about your mental health.
it's okay to take medication, and go to therapy, and to talk to your friends about your mental health.
i'm so blessed to have close friends who know about how dark anxious storms and depressive episodes can be for me. they check in, ask if i'm taking my medicine, and tell me to drink more water.
i love them. they're so important to me. i love my SSRI. i love my PRN anxiety meds.
i love them. they're so important to me. i love my SSRI. i love my PRN anxiety meds.
and believe it or not, i love all of you.
if you aren't ready to take the steps to see a professional, come to me. we can talk, get virtual coffee, we can share stories.
but don't think you're alone, even if you feel like you're alone. i see you. i'm here.
if you aren't ready to take the steps to see a professional, come to me. we can talk, get virtual coffee, we can share stories.
but don't think you're alone, even if you feel like you're alone. i see you. i'm here.
also... here are some people who have a platform and speak about mental health (and other topics of importance) that you should definitely follow. 
@hichasestokes @WRBolen @jameelajamil @matthaig1 @jamietworkowski
(ps. if you come @ my spelling in this thread kiss my ass)
@hichasestokes @WRBolen @jameelajamil @matthaig1 @jamietworkowski
(ps. if you come @ my spelling in this thread kiss my ass)
