Changes

Do any of you feel like your anxiety or depression has changed you so much that you don't remember who you were before? I've been dealing with social anxiety for over twenty years now and it has changed my personality so much! I hate it! Do any of you have ways you deal with this? Journaling, meditation?

[SuzanneJohn]

My anxiety started as a teenager and I’m in my 40’s now so it’s a part of my personality.. I don’t imagine myself without it.

[EmLee96]

i have suffered from depression and anxiety since i was young- probably around 10 (i have had it for as long as i can remember) and i am 22 now. i don't really know what life is like without it. i saw this picture on facebook the other day that talked about not really knowing who you are when you have it for so long and it really rang true with me. i like to think i am finally finding the real me though.

[Hidden in reply to EmLee96]

Do you wonder what you are missing though, beacuse of your anxiety? Or do you focus on the good things that it has done to your personality?

[EmLee96 in reply to Hidden]

I try to not let my anxiety now prevent me from doing things, but that has been a work in progress for a good 10 years. It definitely kept me from doing s lot of things. I am confident I could have gotten more money for college if it wasn't for my anxiety. I could have placed higher in my band competitions. I could have had more friends and enjoyed life more no doubt

[hypercat54]

I am like others on here who have suffered from depression since very young and it's become part of my personality now. When I went to counselling I would get very confused when the counsellor would say they would get me back to how I was before. I didn't know how to explain that I didn't have a 'before' depression. x

[Angelfox2002]

Anxiety has changed me so much I feel like I truly don’t know myself. I’m almost 40 and I have such a vivid memory of the me before anxiety and depression found and took over my head! I hate it because I was a positive, outgoing, passionate, creative and caring person full of dreams and belief in myself. That’s the opposite of the me I see now and I try desperately to find my way back! I get some relief in reading others stories, YouTube has a lot of interesting videos for anxious empaths. Ive used journals pretty much daily since this started when I was pregnant with my 1st son, they are great for venting at that moment, then being able to look back at it later and make more sense out of the situation, like that saying hindsight is 20/20. Otherwise I miss myself and want so badly to be her again! This isn’t me, I remember me. I feel for those who have fought this battle for so long that they were too young to truly know themselves before the battle began but at the same time it makes me wonder if I ever truly knew myself before this or if that was just a facade I was able to keep up with in my youth following that saying in business “fake it til you make it”... maybe faking it just got old and I couldn’t hide it anymore. I’m interested in trying putryl (I forget the name) that you mentioned in another post.

[Hidden]

The basis for my personality, I think is the same. But anxiety has changed me so much. I feel my son is missing out because of it and it rips me apart inside. Thanks for your response!

[Hidden]

It might sound strange but I think it has made me a better person. I'm so much kinder,loving & compassionate for people! I try to stay focused on the positive things in my life! Negative breeds negative YET...Positive breeds Positive! Be kind & gentle with yourself. I believe better days are waiting for us! Hope will grow if you believe!!! I'm here for you!!!