Feeling Anxious at Home

[mvillarreal]

Hi, everyone! I just got back from St. Louis for the summer and have noticed my anxiety has gone up a little. This seems to happen when I come home from school. Honestly, I think my main fear is that I will get anxiety, and my parents will notice. Ironically, that fear gives me anxiety. I get especially anxious after eating heavy meals, and I get very self-conscious when my parents start to notice. I don't know why I worry so much about this, but sometimes, I get anxious, my parents do notice, and then it perpetuates the fear. Help?

[MSGSTL]

mvillarreal,

Maybe you are feeling anxious because at your parent's house you feel as if you are being held accountable for every little action. Anxiety after eating a large meal might be a thought in your head that your parent's think you eat too much, while in college you can do pretty much anything you want without answering to anyone. This lack of perceived autonomy might be what causes/triggers your anxiety. Rained all day in STL. Hope it's nice where you are.

Here's a trivia question: Who are the 2019 Stanley Cup Champions? (shame if you don't know!)

-MSGSTL

[mvillarreal in reply to MSGSTL]

No. I actually have a tendency to get anxious after eating. It's because of how the digestive system utilizes fight-or-flight, which can trigger panic attacks for some people with anxiety. I think it is the lack of autonomy thing. I just get so self-conscious about my family seeing me anxious all the time. IDK. I don't really watch sports. LOL.

[MSGSTL in reply to mvillarreal]

Ughhh! The Saint Louis Blues won the Stanley Cup after 51 years in the league! You get a pass on this one because you're so young. So, with the lack of autonomy thing, just be yourself and remember: Feeling anxious in this kind of environment (at home with family) is perfectly normal. It's better than being dependent on them all the time! It's beautiful but very hot here today. Enjoy your break.

-MSGSTL