I sort of put a few pieces of the anxiety puzzle together tonight after my dad said something to me. He said that when I was little I would get really sick in cars, because of the motion, that's not necessarily an anxiety thing, but then he continued to say that I also used to have to leave restaurants as a child because certain smells would make me sick. I kind of thought, wow, I have always been sensitive, even as a child. I know I had anxious tendencies as a kid, without the panic attacks. I used to travel with my family, no problem, but that plane sure made me nervous and I would always think "What if I wanted to get off the plane? I can't... I'm stuck on this plane." I think that is an anxious thought and I had those thoughts well before I developed an anxiety condition.
So what do you guys think? Do you think that we are born overly-sensitive and we have a certain personality from childhood that makes us more prone to developing an anxiety disorder? Do any of you know of certain situations or feelings you had as children that were anxiety, but you didn't realize it?
I am curious to hear what people have to say about this topic!
Anxiety stemming from childhood?
hugs&kisses,
Karilynn
I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.
Frank Herbert
"How you climb up the mountain is just as important as how you get down the mountain. And, so it is with life, which for many of us becomes one big test followed by one big lesson. In the end, it all comes down to one word: grace. It's how you accept winning and losing, good luck and bad luck, darkness and the light."
Karilynn
I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.
Frank Herbert
"How you climb up the mountain is just as important as how you get down the mountain. And, so it is with life, which for many of us becomes one big test followed by one big lesson. In the end, it all comes down to one word: grace. It's how you accept winning and losing, good luck and bad luck, darkness and the light."
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Hairstylistmom
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Mon Jan 08, 2007 4:23 pm
I absolutely believe that my adult anxiety stems from my childhood. I was always scared of the dark, thunderstorms, and very much afraid of flying. I do remember worrying alot. My father walked out on us when I was 2 years old and never came back/no support, etc. and I think that is where my fear of being left alone comes from as well as trusting any man in my life. I don't think we are BORN overly-sensitive, but events in our past certainly can set us up for this type of wrong thinking and make us prone to anxiety as adults. GREAT topic Karilynn! I am also curious to see what others have to add about their experiences.
I was definately sensitive as a child, very OCD, obsessively worrying about environmental catastrophies, hoarding certain things, superstitious about what I read and did. Walking home from school I would avoid stepping on cracks and feel overly anxious if I did.
Anxiety runs in my family, but am I anxious because of a genetic propensity or am I anxious because the adults in my life were modeling it? My child is anxious and OCD but again, genetics or environment, or both? My instinct says that genetics loads the gun, and environment pulls the trigger. Just like we can overcome alot of the negative effects by doing cognitive type therapy, raising an anxious child in a supportive, nurturing environment might do the same. At least, that's what I'm hoping.
Anxiety runs in my family, but am I anxious because of a genetic propensity or am I anxious because the adults in my life were modeling it? My child is anxious and OCD but again, genetics or environment, or both? My instinct says that genetics loads the gun, and environment pulls the trigger. Just like we can overcome alot of the negative effects by doing cognitive type therapy, raising an anxious child in a supportive, nurturing environment might do the same. At least, that's what I'm hoping.
Very good topic. I dont have one single childhood memory without any anxiety, panic, ocd etc. I used to worry that a stranger would kidnap me, or rape me. I worried my parents were going to go into a store be killed then the killer would dress like them and come get me. I worried that there was going to be a freak accident and I would be hurt/killed, I worried about school, I could walk certain ways, I was completely anti-social and would never go for sleep overs in fear my friends dad would hurt me, I was afraid of the bathroom at school b.c. of the fire alarms going off while im on the can, I could go #2 anywhere else but home, i would have nervous stomach aches, ibs so bad at 16 they thought I had stomach cancer.. nonetheless.. I was a lonely child, played alone, single parent, no father, no siblings, no good memories.. nonetheless, I believe it is both, genetic and enviromental, without the enviromental the genetic may not be influenced, with both, look out!
Great topic!
Great topic!
Great replies. I think we're on to something here! I do believe that our thoughts as children do play a certain role in how we think as adults. I was always a big worrier. Even as a teenager, I would drive home and worry that when I'd get home, my parents were going to be dead. When I left my house at night to go somewhere and my mom was home sleeping, I'd have to watch to make sure the garage door closed all the way without someone walking into the garage. And then all night I'd worry about her at home by herself. Before I would fall asleep at night I would worry about people breaking into the house, and for years I locked my door with a chair as a child. I'd play out scenarios in my head about people breaking in and what I would do if it happened. I'd constantly worry about my mom, sister, and myself while we were out in public alone or even together. I'd worry about someone kidnapping me or one of them. I always locked my doors in my car and I'd never give a stranger the time of day. If someone approached me, I would start to walk away, my heart racing. I have always been a really negative thinker, since I can remember being able to think. And I truly believe it is because I was raised in fear. My dad is a lot like me. He is very paranoid about other peoples motives. He watches every news special on TV about murders and robberies. He would always tell us to be careful, to never leave our doors unlocked, because this could happen and this could happen.
When I moved out into an apartment, which was terrifying enough as it was, he told me that even though I was on the second floor, someone could still climb up my balcony and come in the door if I didn't have it locked. It scared me! But you know what, I sleep with my patio door wide open. I am getting a lot better about trusting people. I realize we live in a scary world, but I feel like I'm not giving myself this great opportunity to enjoy my life if I'm depriving myself of every small joy, because I'm afraid.
Anyone else have childhood anxiety memories or fears?
When I moved out into an apartment, which was terrifying enough as it was, he told me that even though I was on the second floor, someone could still climb up my balcony and come in the door if I didn't have it locked. It scared me! But you know what, I sleep with my patio door wide open. I am getting a lot better about trusting people. I realize we live in a scary world, but I feel like I'm not giving myself this great opportunity to enjoy my life if I'm depriving myself of every small joy, because I'm afraid.
Anyone else have childhood anxiety memories or fears?
hugs&kisses,
Karilynn
I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.
Frank Herbert
"How you climb up the mountain is just as important as how you get down the mountain. And, so it is with life, which for many of us becomes one big test followed by one big lesson. In the end, it all comes down to one word: grace. It's how you accept winning and losing, good luck and bad luck, darkness and the light."
Karilynn
I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.
Frank Herbert
"How you climb up the mountain is just as important as how you get down the mountain. And, so it is with life, which for many of us becomes one big test followed by one big lesson. In the end, it all comes down to one word: grace. It's how you accept winning and losing, good luck and bad luck, darkness and the light."
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Mary Wargo
- Posts: 274
- Joined: Wed Feb 06, 2008 12:37 pm
My mother was a worrier and so was her mother- and so am I.(although this is now changing due to the program) My cousins from my mother's side have all been 'high strung' as they used to call it. I inherited the "worry" gene and life events at a young age sealed the deal and set the stage for adult worry. I was aware of this at a young age but at that time there were no therapies available like there are now. I actually knew of a high school friend that was sent to a mental institute because they didn't know what else to do with her! Then I worried that would happen to me. I definitely feel we inherit a certain biochemistry from our parents but how that plays out I think has a lot to do with life events and how we learn how to react to them. When my mother used to say "Mary you worry too much" I would say "I know Mum I'm just like you".
I also got carsick fairly often on a trip over several hours. Was somewhat sickly as a pre-teenager, throw-up etc. and it would disappear over night. I would watch scary movies like Dracula and then have night mares afterwards when I was 9 to 13 or so. I am very glad I didn't grow up in our society today. I'd be freaking out every day almost with what they show in movies now a days.
After getting into basketball in high school a lot of this disappeared. Never missed a day of school my last 3 years of HS, went to the state tournament in basketball my junior year, honors my senior year in athletics and grades. But then had problems after HS.
What I didn't know about my Mother until she had passed away about 10 years ago is that she had panic attacks as a teen ager, as did one of her sisters. That sister sent me a letter recently written in early 1948 when my Mother was pregnant with a brother who only lived for about 24 to 48 hours. She was having trouble with her heart at this time and I interpret it as anxiety. My parents protected me from their financial woes when I was a child, but I can remember my Mother having to lay down when I was about 9 or 10 and she was non-functional for a few days. There were many more instances of my seeing anxiety in my parents. However, they truly had things to be concerned about. They grew up in the depression era and all the children had to work after school starting at age 7 to support the family. It was a rough economic time for many people then.
I believe there are genetic factors and environmental factors which influence us. I suspect that our thinking impacts our genes to some degree. Stress causes our neurotransmitters to function less effectively, can cause burnout, high blood pressure, heart disease, etc. Therefore, if stress (what we think) can impact us physically it makes sense it can impact our genes as well, implying our offspring can be affected genetically as well as environmentally.
Children are sponges, absorbing thier parents behavior and thinking. The good news is we can change all of this over time.
After getting into basketball in high school a lot of this disappeared. Never missed a day of school my last 3 years of HS, went to the state tournament in basketball my junior year, honors my senior year in athletics and grades. But then had problems after HS.
What I didn't know about my Mother until she had passed away about 10 years ago is that she had panic attacks as a teen ager, as did one of her sisters. That sister sent me a letter recently written in early 1948 when my Mother was pregnant with a brother who only lived for about 24 to 48 hours. She was having trouble with her heart at this time and I interpret it as anxiety. My parents protected me from their financial woes when I was a child, but I can remember my Mother having to lay down when I was about 9 or 10 and she was non-functional for a few days. There were many more instances of my seeing anxiety in my parents. However, they truly had things to be concerned about. They grew up in the depression era and all the children had to work after school starting at age 7 to support the family. It was a rough economic time for many people then.
I believe there are genetic factors and environmental factors which influence us. I suspect that our thinking impacts our genes to some degree. Stress causes our neurotransmitters to function less effectively, can cause burnout, high blood pressure, heart disease, etc. Therefore, if stress (what we think) can impact us physically it makes sense it can impact our genes as well, implying our offspring can be affected genetically as well as environmentally.
Children are sponges, absorbing thier parents behavior and thinking. The good news is we can change all of this over time.
Life's battles don't always go to the stronger, the smarter, the faster hand; But sooner or later the person who wins is the one who thinks "I can." Author Unknown
http://dp19032k9.webs.com
http://dp19032k9.webs.com
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Be-Positive
- Posts: 12
- Joined: Sat Apr 05, 2008 5:40 pm
I don't know if I started out as a sensitive child, or became one because of my mother's abuse.
By the second grade I was breaking out in hives. The doctor told my parents that I was nervous, but that didn't stop my mother's abusive ways. I just became more and more nervous as I grew older. Seems like I always had something on my mind that I was worried about. Some negative thought, that just played over and over in my head. I had my first anxiety attack at age 19.
By the second grade I was breaking out in hives. The doctor told my parents that I was nervous, but that didn't stop my mother's abusive ways. I just became more and more nervous as I grew older. Seems like I always had something on my mind that I was worried about. Some negative thought, that just played over and over in my head. I had my first anxiety attack at age 19.
Hey,
I also was neglected and abused throughout my childhood. I have PTSD and realize that although it will never go away, it's a management thing. I'm looking at the anxiety component the same way... it's managing it so you can function and enjoy life. It does feel like a huge challenge to me and I identify with - will this really help even people who've gone through abuse? But my response to that thought is.. Why wouldn't it help?. Good luck to you and know that you are not alone.
I also was neglected and abused throughout my childhood. I have PTSD and realize that although it will never go away, it's a management thing. I'm looking at the anxiety component the same way... it's managing it so you can function and enjoy life. It does feel like a huge challenge to me and I identify with - will this really help even people who've gone through abuse? But my response to that thought is.. Why wouldn't it help?. Good luck to you and know that you are not alone.
A psychiatrist at one of my groups told me that one of the number one predictors of depression is a stressful childhood. I grew up watching my parents fight. There was a lot of yelling and screaming and hitting. Then they got divorced when I was 5 and I was sent to live with my granparents. Talk about abandonment issues. I'm convinced that my mom has Borderline Personality disorder, after much reading on the subject. And I think I learned a lot of those traits from her. the same Dr told me that we grow up replaying our trauma, trying to make it come out right. We recreate our early pain trying to fix it. That's what causes a lot of our suffering.
I can remember having horrible stomachaches when my parents were fighting. And I'm still to this day struggling with childhood fears that "something bad will happen." or that the ones that I love will be taken away from me and I will be left all alone.
It takes a long time to heal these wounds and it is quite painful, but it can be done. There are days when i can see why my mom chooses to stay drunk, numbing her pain with alcohol because it is so hard at some times, but the good news is that once we move past these things there is so much life waiting for us. there is so much beauty in the world that we realize that we have choices. We can choose to stay in the past angry and sad for what we lost or what we did'nt have or we can enjoy the present and treat ourselves with the respect that we deserve.
I can remember having horrible stomachaches when my parents were fighting. And I'm still to this day struggling with childhood fears that "something bad will happen." or that the ones that I love will be taken away from me and I will be left all alone.
It takes a long time to heal these wounds and it is quite painful, but it can be done. There are days when i can see why my mom chooses to stay drunk, numbing her pain with alcohol because it is so hard at some times, but the good news is that once we move past these things there is so much life waiting for us. there is so much beauty in the world that we realize that we have choices. We can choose to stay in the past angry and sad for what we lost or what we did'nt have or we can enjoy the present and treat ourselves with the respect that we deserve.