What good things have come since having anxiety

[camel]

This might sound weird, but what good things have come about since acquiring an anxiety disorder?

For instance I am a much more patient and tolerant person. I am more sympathetic to other people and their problems. I have learned a great deal, including the fact that I learned I can deal with quite a lot and I am stronger than I thought.
I have met some truly awesome people on this site.
My path down life changed for the better, where before I was studying a law degree, now I have started photography and have started selling some photos. A creative life is one which is much better for me than one where I am stressed and in an office or a court room all day.
I have become more in touch with my feelings and emotions.
I have become a better person over all.

So in a weird way, I am thankful for my anxiety 

[peepo23]

Yeah good thread. Anxiety of course is one of the greatest survival mechanisms to have evolved in organisms, so it's always useful to remember that an anxiety disorder really is a pathological extension of a very normal and useful biological/psychological function. Anxiety has been a real pain at times, in it's pathological form, but I also know i'd never have performed as well as I have in my academics if I wasn't so responsive to anxiety.

I also wanted to say I really liked what you said about changing course from law to photography etc. That really highlights the brilliance of anxiety, in that it can 'break up thinking' or 'trends of thought' and tell us that the path we are on may not be in our best interests.

[camel]

Thank-you for the reply peepo


Yeah I truly believe that anxiety was a way of telling me that I was doing the wrong things in life and to change now before it became too late

:)

[Cuchculan]

Not like you to think of a good topic. 

But since I began with my anxiety I have become a bit of an expert gardener. Never into it before. But it was something I could do in my own time and at my own pace. Through the years I designed many a garden for people. Looked after the gardens too. Was something I done for well over 2 decades. Not as much into these days. Do my own garden and that is about it. People don't want gardens any more. They go for paved in gardens or fully cemented. Not many real gardens out there any more.
I also got into astronomy. At one point I had an 83/4 inch reflector scope. To explain. That is big. Was like a big canon gun. Had to get rid of it because it was too big for the house. But had many a long night out the back looking up at the stars. I learned the full night sky. Which was a big bit nerdy. Could even tell the time by just looking at the sky.
Pyrography as well. No Cam. Not pornography. Pyrography. The art of wood burning. Burning images onto wood. It was certainly something new. Very interesting and relaxing thing to get into. Add to that writing. Reading as well. Never been without a book in years. Love to read.

Had an anxiety condition not have kicked in I doubt very much I would ever tried any of the above out at all. You shape your life around the condition. Things you can do and things you can't do. Really the things I got into were all loner things. That was the condition talking. But it sure thought me a lot. And how can I not mention the friends online. Without an anxiety condition I wouldn't have met any of them.

[camel]

LOL, thanks Cuch

Those are some awesome hobbies, especially the astronomy. I have seen some of your pyrography, and it is awesome.

Nice to see the good in the bad sometimes. I think we tend to forget that

thanks for the reply

[Tam0630]

I, like Cam, have become more patient, especially with myself. I've come to realize that I'm strong, not weak, and can handle anything thrown at me even if it doesn't seem like it at the time.

I have also made some wonderful friends here and elsewhere, and really come to know who my true friends are. I'm more giving than I used to be, more attentive to the people I care about and I have more of a desire to accomplish the things in life that I feel I need to accomplish.

Without anxiety, I don't believe I would be doing what I'm doing, preparing to go to school for a degree in psychology.

Thanks for the thread, Cam. I think it's important to take time every day to see and be thankful for the positive things in and around us.

[camel]

Thanks Tam, nice reply

Yes it is important to realise the good things. And you are doing great things that you otherwise might not be doing

keep it up :-)

[Duckie]

I can't say that I've ever thought that anything positive ever came from having anxiety, but now that I've read the responses here, I can see that many good things happened because of it.  Mostly making friends with some truly extraordinary people here and elsewhere.   
I also learned to paint flowers and landscapes, which was really relaxing and fun. 
I learned to appreciate the times when I was free to go wherever I wanted without anxiety.  Those times are so special in my memory.
And strangely enough, it also taught me that there's ALWAYS hope!

Great thread, Cam. 

[camel]

Thank-you Duckie

Isn't it nice to see that some good had come out of this? I think many of us don't realise that some good has come of anxiety, so I thought this thread would help some to realise. :-)

[Crimson Serenity]

• An enormous amount of self-awareness that led to emotional maturity and growth.
• Friendships with people who share similar experiences and provide an opportunity to help one another.
• Increased empathy and understanding for people who experience all sorts of disorders and ailments.
• It taught me to be grateful for the things I do have and my progress.
• I re-discovered crochet.

[jen2213]

Excellent post Camel...almost made me cry

If I didn't have anxiety I wouldn't have ever known the pain and suffering my grandma went through, she had agoraphobia and didn't leave the house for 15 years and when I first heard about that I thought she was crazy. I am also able to relate with my mom more because she has been through it as well.

If I didn't have anxiety and agoraphobia I might be working as a cashier or administrative assistant because it wouldn't have been necessary for me to stay home. Now I am pursuing my life long dream of being a writer! (Plus I'm going to have a LOT of interesting things to write about when I finally decide to start on my book about anxiety and agoraphobia)

I am also able to "feel" more for people, with my disorder it is "all or nothing" and I am able to give myself completely to whatever it is that I am doing, whether it's on here helping people who have been through what I've been through, writing, my family or work.

I have my problems but I have never thought for once that I won't be able to overcome this someday and enjoy my life the way it's supposed to be enjoyed! Writing will get me there, we won't have to stress out about money and my self confidence will just keep going up the more I can contribute to my family and the world :)

[Sweet_Dream]

Hey, I know this is a really old topic but I was writing a reflective for English and I wanted to make it positive, but I didn't know what good could possibly have come from this condition. But all your comments got me thinking and I've realised that it completely changed the course of my life- for the better! Without it I never would've changed schools, made myself grow up (who can you spend your time being so overly dramatic when you have real demons to face?), and led me to a man who has been so important to me. :) We recently celebrated our 3rd anniversary.
So, I just wanted to thank you guys for positioning me to see my anxiety in a new light. Despite the pain it causes, a lot of good has come from it too and from now on I will focus on that.

[Fireraiser]

• An enormous amount of self-awareness that led to emotional maturity and growth.
• Friendships with people who share similar experiences and provide an opportunity to help one another.
• Increased empathy and understanding for people who experience all sorts of disorders and ailments.
• It taught me to be grateful for the things I do have and my progress.
• I re-discovered crochet.

Firstly, yay, for crochet.

• I have gained so much from my anxiety. 
  I have become a more tolerant and laid back person. 
  I truly feel joy now.  The experience of being so low makes me realise what a wonder life I really have.
  It has opened my eyes to different approaches to life.
  I find that I am less judgmental.
  It has shown me that life is for living.

[babybu92]

Reading all of these have really helped me realize that having this anxiety is not the end of the world. I don't like to look at something like this as terrible, i look at it as a blessing. I have become a much stronger person. I have truly embraced my faith, and i have so much confidence. I have never felt so strong, and i have never had so much faith in myself. I have even gotten closer to my family, forgiven people who have wronged me in the past and i am moving on with my life. I still worry but i continue to think positive, stay strong, and keep the faith. I am getting back into dance, and i think i might even want to write a book 

[NCLakeGuy]

Great Topic!!!!  Post like these is why I became a member!!!
I'm still coping to understand it all....just realized (was told by my Doc) 6 weeks ago that I suffer from Health Anxiety and now have been having General Anxiety about having HA.....LOL, go figure!!!!

However, in coming to terms with HA, I have started Yoga, which I love, I have also been reaching out more to my family that lives long distance from me and I started reading more, I started a project list for around the house and am starting to get some things done I've wanted to do for a while and I started voluntering at a local nursing home and am loving that.

So, when you think about it.......this Anxiety thing might not be so bad, look at all I've started in the last 6 weeks while coping with this new found (explained) health issue. 

[camel]

That is great babybu :D

NC, that is so awesome that you have become proactive in your own recovery. You are definitely on the right track. Keep it up :)

[tinam7]

This is a really interesting thread in line with my approach from CBT: turn the negatives I was conditioned to into positives. So we can find the good things and throw out the bad.

Want to add that Yoga has come into its own more than ever with more men in the classes I go to. Always want to go over and congratulate them but manage to control myself, ha ha.

[cutecat25]

Even though I tell my anxiety often how much I hate it and want it gone, I know it has taught me a lot. Especially over this past year.

It has taught me just how strong I am. When  I look back I can't believe everything I have gone through. If I had known what was ahead before all of this I would have given up then and there.

I have always been a spiritual person, but anxiety has truly allowed me to turn towards my spiritual side on a much deeper level.
Positive quotes and prayer have helped me in so many ways, and I know they will be a big part of the rest of my life.

I have met so many great people on this site, and online who are going through some sort of anxiety disorder.
My relationship with them has become closer than that of any of my family, friends who aren't online.
I have learnt so much from them, and I know the relationships I have formed will also be part of me forever :)

I have a new found appreciation for life, that no one could possibly have unless they have been through something lifechanging.
Back then, a good day for me would be spending time with friends, spending money, having fun.
A good day for me now, is being able to go for a walk around the block with my panic at a minimum, to be able to go somewhere without taking a benzo, or to be able to be able to pull myself out of scary, negative thoughts and depression and feel a glimpse of hope and positivity about the future.
When I overcome my disorder, and learn to control my anxiety, it will be the little things I will cherish in life. Fresh air, true friends, laughter, smiling, there's so many things I took for granted before.

Overall, though my anxiety has been the most horrible, dark, scary thing I have had to go through in my life, I will always be grateful for all the lessons it has taught me, and everything I have gained from it.

[LivingLife]

Mine actually have been pretty drastic, though when I'm feeling anxious I always tend to look at the negative side, good topic this is a great way of realizing that everything might just happen for a reason.
1. I lost 35 pounds (190-->155). I used to eat whatever and whenever I wanted. Though I was never really fat my friends would always make jokes about me dying of a heart attack when I'm 30 cause I literally ate a big mac meal and soda every day. I've never dieted this well for this long since my first panic attack
2. I got one of my courses dropped from an F to a Withdrawel because of the panic attacks, so that helped my GPA. I also changed my major and for the first time since my freshman yr took easy courses this semester because I didn't want to become over stressed and so far I've got all A's in my classes.
3. I learned to lift weights and do cardio for health and fitness, where as I used to only do power lifting and cared about trying to look like mark henry lol
4. I eat fruits 4 times a day, where as I probably ate 4 fruits all of last yr.
5. I stopped drinking and smoking completely, I was only a weekend smoker (Weed and hookah) and drinker.
6. I learned to enjoy some of the finer things in life
7. I have a much more sympathetic view for others, especially ones dealing with a mental disorder.
8. I opened up to my parents and told them about everything in my life, I used keep everything from them and inside me.
9. I have a much closer and better relationship with my sister, which I never had before.
10. I became a lottt better at basketball since I lost the weight (basketball has always been a love of mine)
11. And most important, I can see a 6 pack for the first time in my life haha

[camel]

Livinglife, thanks for replying

Those are some drastic and amazing changes. Great job!! 

[tinam7]

That is indeed an impressive list of accomplishments. Congratulations.

Make exercise your hobby and you've got it made. It works the mind as much as the body. For the six-pack I try to do daily sit ups and a series of leg exercises such as leg lifts, circles, swimming, scissors, elbow to knee. Crunches on a fit-ball are good too. Get the body in shape and the mind perks up, that mind-body connection revives. Read about Joseph Pilates and anyone can be inspired.

[Pippy187]

This is a great thread... While often times we think so negatively about anxiety... It is a hard wire primative response in our brains...  Scary as hell to us YES! However with that said a lot of good has come to me from my 1st panic attack till now.
1. I have learned to slow down and not work so much ( This is what worked me into my first attack {Chronic sleep derivation and Red Bull}).
2. I have a lot more empathy and am more tolerant towards people.
3 I have began to look down new career paths in the mental health field
4. I have made some great friends whom understand anxiety / OCD / Depression
5. I've been able to do a lot of introspective thinking
6. I have an appreciation for the world, while it feels different then the day before my attack... It still is a beautiful place.
7. I've committed to a healthy life style.  I've never been a smoker or drinker... I'm eating much healthier.

I hope to hear more stories on this thread.