Why Do I Still Think Like A Child When It Comes To Anxiety

[Raidergal2022]

As a child I used to be scared of certain teachers and dread going in

As an adult in my 30’s when something goes wrong at work (I underperform, feel I am struggling) I internally react exactly the same way. I have been fine the past decade, have gained qualifications and a full time job.

However since I developed anxiety to yeh point where I could g work a few months ago, I am noticing lots of similarities in my thought processes to when I was in ****ing primary school. I am just naturally very anxious. I fear every little thing at the moment including my health - any little symptom I fear the worst.

Again it reminds me of when I was in school and went through phases of worrying. One time after sucking my pen I was panicking for weeks at the thought of ink poisoning (even though my pen hadn’t even burst). I worried for ages about getting stung by a wasp as someone told me they can cause death. Apparantly at 6 years old before going on holiday I used to ask my mum if there was a hospital nearby just in case. I fainted several times as a child as I do now which only makes teh anxiety worse.

Going through this period of anxiety now makes me realise I have never changed. I can rationalise better which helps, but not a lot.

[bednobs]

its because people dnt change unless they try extremely hard to change

[andy-hughes]

Our childhood experiences, including the negative ones, are the building blocks that form our adult personalities.

They are so intense and so important, that they are never taken from us, merely buried under decades of life experience.

But we do remember every single thing that ever happened to us - only our ability to recall it varies - and that means that some of those childhood experiences, again including the negative ones, can be recalled sometimes involuntarily, and that is what you are experiencing now.

If this is something that is seriously impacting on your life, I suggest a visit to your doctor for a chat about counseling, which may help you find the triggers for these distressing memories, and maybe find a way to control them.

[Raidergal2022]

Thanks Andy, I wouldn’t say it is the memories that are distressing, in fact they help me to identify patterns of anxiety and so are in a way reassuring.

However although they count as useful memories in that aspect, they do make me realise how ‘deep set’ my anxieties are and so remind me of how difficult it will be to become a calmer more rational person

I am having CBT for my anxieties but am finding it difficult to escape my current way of thinking. It is like I can tell myself that nothing bad will likely happen all day but the anxiety still remains. Unwanted thoughts, concerns about my breathing (as I am at risk for asthma) etc. I have been fine for the past decade (in fact I was told by several people that I looked like I didn’t give a ***) or that I was ‘very calm and collective’ and carefree. However after an episode of fainting (triggered by an injury) it has somehow triggered anxiety.

[rowanwitch]

You just haven't learned appropriate coping skills. You would probably benefit from some CBT, or even hypnotherapy, to help you change your responses.

[Canary42]

Stop searching on the net - too many well-meaning but ignorant people (like me), and also too many charlatans after your money.

Get professional help, starting with your GP.