Anyone have well-meaning people giving you their anxiety "advice?"

[Rhody3333]

What can I do? Does anyone else have to deal with people who you just told that you have some anxiety, who start almost grilling you on whether you've tried putting your fingers together and hypnotizing yourself, petting a dog, taking deep breaths, etc? I tell them I have a doctor but that does not seem to discourage them. I know they might mean well, but it feels dismissive of my telling them that in my life I have to deal with anxiety. I want to have support and understanding without 20 questions. PS They never said they were sorry I had it or anything like that --just questions. This happened with some women in a book club and I feel they were bothered at the thought of my having anxiety. What do you do or say if you have this situation?

[hypercat54]

Well I would ask them where they got their medical degree! I would also be very careful whom you tell as you are inviting others to share their opinions by telling them. I would only talk to family and friends who you think might understand. x

[Rhody3333 in reply to hypercat54]

Yes, I guess I am too trusting sometimes. Thanks.

[hypercat54 in reply to Rhody3333]

You are welcome. Remember your anxiety doesn't define who you are. x

[Rhody3333 in reply to hypercat54]

Not sure what that means...?

[hypercat54]

You are you and not your anxiety. x

[Rhody3333 in reply to hypercat54]

Yes, that's correct. Our book was about someone who was coping with anxiety during much of his life, but not a great move on my part to assume people know what we've all had to learn about anxiety.