My Story with Anxiety
Lifelong Struggle
From a young age, anxiety has been a constant (unwanted) companion in my life. Whether it's the fear of social interactions, the dread of performing in front of others, or the overwhelming feeling of being in unfamiliar places, anxiety has shaped my experiences and life in profound ways.
Social Anxiety
Social situations often triggered intense discomfort and self-consciousness for me. The fear of judgment and the pressure to conform created barriers that seemed insurmountable at times. Social interactions were always a struggle for me.
Performance Anxiety
Performing, whether academically, professionally, or creatively, brought about paralyzing fear. The fear of failure, of not meeting expectations (both others' and my own), became a heavy burden to carry. For a lot of my life, I avoided performance based activities because of this.
Agoraphobia
Agoraphobia, the fear of situations where escape might be difficult or embarrassing, further limited my ability to engage with the world around me. It felt safer to retreat, to avoid potential triggers altogether.