The Struggle with Anxiety

As many of you have read on my sons blog, he has struggles with anxiety.  As he posts about his path, there are many people who have stated they have the same or similar struggles.  It feels to me that anxiety is more common than it was when I was young.  Why is that?  Is it because people are more apt to talk about it or is it because there are more environmental pressures that cause it? Why does it affect one person and not the other?

My husband and I spoke at great lengths regarding this.  I discussed this with colleagues and friends.  There was consensus that there is now the ability to talk more openly of things that were taboo previously.  Mental health issues, anxiety, addictions,  all of these are no longer things that are left in a closet with hopes that no one will ever discover.  These are not easy conversations to have but they can be voiced and support is available.

But we also talked about the pressures that are facing people today that were never there previously.  Social media - the most likes, the most followed, the ability to have negative comments delivered anonymously, friended, unfriended, cyber bullying, 24 hour messaging and availability, pictures that will never go away, lack of privacy, videos that never go away, instant gratification.  Then there are the pressures that have been around for generations - get a job, get good grades, be the best person on the team, know what you want to do with the rest of your life, contribute to your community, and be an active member of society.

I know I have struggled with trying to find a balance with my children, teaching them proper use and self confidence but knowing that if I completely banned something, they would never know how to cope with it as a part of everyday life.  We are able to openly talk about mental health, anxiety, addictions but as a society, there is no indication of the want, or need, to decrease these external pressures so we are left to build better coping mechanisms and support structures.   Where does that leave our friends and loved ones that will be impacted by all of this?  Struggling, until we can get these pressures decreased, until we can get the right support, until we are able to find a coping stategy.  If you are struggling, never stop talking and seeking help.  You are not alone.