If you struggle with anxiety, you might not think that memes go hand in hand with mental health issues. After all, what could be funny about panicking every time you have to make a phone call or spending an entire day laying in bed because the idea of going outside is far too terrifying?
I completely understand that mental health should be taken seriously, and we would never want to downplay this issue. However, if you can manage to find humor in your pain, it might make life a little bit more enjoyable! That’s where the Anxiety Memes subreddit comes in. This online group has amassed 154K members who are dedicated to sharing memes that resonate with their feelings. So we hope that this list will make you feel less alone too, pandas!
If you have anxiety, you know all too well how it feels. But if you happen to not be burdened with this curse, let me break it down for you. According to McLean Hospital, it’s a common misconception to assume that anxiety is just stress. In reality, it’s our body’s reaction to a threat. So in dangerous situations, it can actually save your life.
The problem, however, is when we feel this panic in situations when we’re perfectly safe and should be relaxed. A person with an anxiety disorder may often feel restless, become easily fatigued, worry excessively about upcoming events or activities, feel a sense of impending doom, become irritable and have difficulty concentrating. But symptoms can widely vary from person to person depending on exactly what kind of anxiety they experience.
There are various forms of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, separation anxiety, phobias and obsessive compulsive disorder. As for what causes these mental health issues, McLean Hospital notes that they might be triggered by experiencing traumatic events in early childhood, a family history of anxiety or mental illness or unpredictable bouts of shyness while growing up.
Coping with an anxiety disorder can be extremely painful, especially if you haven’t received a proper diagnosis or aren’t sure what’s causing you to feel so anxious. But living with anxiety doesn’t have to be debilitating. If you’re struggling with managing your anxiety, the Mayo Clinic suggests first making some simple changes such as avoiding alcohol and recreational drugs and focusing on eating a healthy diet. It’s also a good idea to work on identifying your triggers, and if you can, keep physically active.
It’s always a good idea to learn about your anxiety disorder and understand your diagnosis as well. The more you know about it, the better you’ll understand why you feel a certain way. And you might even be able to prevent anxiety at times. Remember to take care of yourself, and make getting a good night’s sleep a top priority. If you drink caffeine or smoke, it would be wise to cut out or limit your intake of those substances. And work on maintaining relationships with your loved ones. Socializing can be scary, but it can also be extremely rewarding.
Now, you won’t ever be able to just flip a switch and turn your anxiety off. But according to Healthline, you might be able to minimize it by going to therapy and taking medication. Lifestyle changes can help as well. Yoga and meditation might be beneficial for you, and even acupuncture and exercise can make a huge difference. And, of course, getting some giggles into every day can lighten the load of anxiety.
#20 And Then It Happens Over And Over Again Until There’s Nothing Left…
