Stress Center Peer Support

Does anyone have any advise as to what to say to family members that no matter what you say about anxiety they tease you?? When I first had anxiety about 7 years ago I used to check my pulse often and to this day I get teased about it! I don't do it anymore. (I have moved on to a new worry *LOL*) And when I begin to panic I sometimes get "Oh here we go again" from my older sister.They have no idea how miserable it is and if I explain it they don't understand anyway.
The other day my sisters friend says "you are how old and you still don't drive or stay home by yourself! What can you do!" I got so upset and just wanted to cry!! Then the topic went to caffeine for some reason and I mentioned how I avoid caffeine and a comment was made about how I freak out enough about daily life that I don't need caffeine! I need some kind of comeback to say because I may have a problem with anxiety but I am not weak and the comments make me feel like the lowest person on earth!

Ethan's Mommy - You need to step up to the plate here and tell these people how you feel about what they say to you. You know you are sensitive and there is a certain amount of kidding you can take with a grain of salt but if it is persistent I would tell them to stop it. If they can't be supportive than you'd rather they not comment at all.

You can be assertive without being hurt or angry. Both hurt and anger are forms of control. It's really best if you speak up and tell them how their statements make you feel. The exact thing for you to say would be hard for someone to tell you BUT if you speak about your feelings using "I" messages you will be saying the right thing.

There are risks involved with being assertive. Be willing to take those risks. Personally I wouldn't want to be around others who continually judged me and made unsupportive statements in regard to my anxiety issues.

Mom of 6 posted a writing that she found on the web here a week or so ago that I think might help you. If you look under the main Community then General Comments/ Inquiries and go back to Aug. 19th it was called Dear non-panic disorder sufferer.

I think for the most part, people get irritated because there is nothing they can do. They think by making remarks, it will help you move in the right direction or get you to change.

Sometimes with good intentions, the one suffering gets hurt because they know deep down that what they are saying is true.

As a former sufferer... I think by changing your perspective, you could really change the way others make you feel. Sometimes, it is not what others say.....but how we take it.

I used to be "stuck" but not anymore. Agoraphobia puts so many limits on your life.
You don't have to stay "stuck". No matter how long a person suffers with anxiety, panic and/or agoraphobia, they can overcome it with alot of hard work and determination.