Two types of Anxiety, one type of person(?)

[JixJax]

I have two types of anxiety; SAD(Social Anxiety Disorder) and GAD(Generalized Anxiety Disorder), but I am always freaking out. I have a tough life at home and I am, of course, in the middle of it all. My parents are divorced, my step-mom and boilogical father were fighting this morning over something, and that left me downstairs with my younger sisters. They fight at least three times a month and it always triggers my anxiety, causing to overthink and start shaking. Any advice on how I could calm myself without telling my family?

[catharsis34]

Welcome! I just going this group yesterday and your profile/ post was very relatable. I have GAD as well as panic disorder. I am sorry to hear that you are struggling. When I was a teenager my parents would fight constantly as a result of the discovery of an affair. I also witnessed the physical and verbal abuse of my mother which caused a lot of internal stress and anxiety. I was constantly forced to 'choose sides'. Some of the ways I coped were by writing or going outside for a run/walk. Physical activity was a huge help because it also aided in releasing some of my aggression. If you can't go outside, maybe try listening to music. Putting headphones in and blasting your favorite song can be a great escape without your family knowing. It would also help drown out the noise of the arguing. When you feel the panic start to set in and your body starts shaking, try to focus on your breathing. Taking long deep breaths helps calm the body down a bit. In my experience, any way that I could separate myself from the situation, even for a brief amount of time was helpful.

[Cocomelon1234]

You should talk to your family, it is so important for them to know how you are feeling and how they are making you feel. Avoiding them and not telling them will only make things worse. Sometimes parents need to be reminded that they should be careful around their children. I am a mother and step mother so I know first hand that we easily forget. The best thing you could do is be open with them and that will make you feel so much better.