Understanding....

[suffolkrelic]

How do you explain to someone so they understand how real anxiety and the panic attacks are to someone who's never had anxiety. One of the hardest things about having anxiety.....

[Hidden]

Hi suffolkrelic, invite them on here and let them judge themselves x Donver x

[Hidden]

It is very difficult. I think very few people, including doctors, appreciate how serious and debilitating this can be

[Jeffju]

I really do believe that only people who have been through this really understand how you feel.You can try and explain but the fear and rising panic are hard to comprehend to someone who has never suffered.

[silver_snow]

I think people who know me really really well understand how real it is for me but i do find it hard to explain to new people i meet as on the outside i can look completely fine while feeling a complete mess inside.

[Hidden]

I wish I knew and my husband would understand. It make life a lot easier!

[janey61]

I find people don't even have the time or the inclination to want to listen let alone try and understand ... sadly ...depends I suppose who you mean , my close family don't even know ...and others don't care ,,as said previously it's generally people who have them or have in the past ,, I have a son with special needs also and find the same with this ...so generally now keep myself to myself after years of trying to explain and expect understanding . maybe to describe your symptoms and how you feel during and after may be good , and don't have high expectations of others understanding ...sounds so negative sorry ..hope you get through to people ...

[Hidden]

hi suffolkrelic, you are quite right, I have lived with my wife now 45years , over the last 4 years she has had the most awful anxiety/panic attacks, going with her to docs/psychologists/psychiatrists,etc, and trying to explain the sheer torture her mind is going thru , and getting that blank look from them when you know they have absolutely no idea how bad it affects the person with it, hope you are well.