Does being diagnosed with anxiety ruin your life?

Living with anxiety is quite tough I won't lie. It always seems to get me at key moments in life where being calm seems to be the most important thing. Like after a personal loss, doing a big project, in an interview to name a few. These seem to be so important yet it is hard to control anxiety when they are happening. Anxiety also makes it so uncomfortable I wish I could crawl out of my body and disappear and not have to feel anything. I think learning to tolerate it and practicing is the way to overcome anxiety issues.

To be honest, it's going to be different for everyone. However, most people seem to feel relieved to have a name for their feelings, and a professional diagnosis often reassures them that they are not imagining their symptoms. Of course, having that diagnosis also makes treatment feel more deserved (not that only diagnosed people deserve treatment, but having a diagnosis means there's one fewer thing holding you back from treatment).

Being diagnosed with anxiety doesn't really ruin my life knowing that it is treatable and that their are things out there to help manage it.

That depends on your perspective. It can have a devastating impact, that's for sure but only you can decide if it has ruined your entire life or not. Many people live with anxiety everyday and can say they have happy times :)

Of course not! If anything, being diagnosed can help, because it can help you understand why you've been feeling the way that you have. Also, if you felt so inclined, you could ask for a medicine to help control your anxiety, which could end up helping you significantly.

I don't think it ruins your life at all!! I think it just means you have one extra obstacle; sure it can be difficult and make things harder than they could be without it. But it makes you stronger!! It makes you learn how to deal with panicky feelings. In reality you will be able to manage a lot more than other people might. It may feel as if it's ruining your life, but it gets easier to manage :)

Heck, Deck, Wreck NO! Nothing can ruin your life as long as you never lose the faith in being the best human being you can be, and having the best time of your life every second. No matter what you're diagnosed with, live life to the most fun, work hard for what you love for the most, and never give up. :) :) :)

Why would it? If you've been diagnosed with anxiety, it's because you had it in the first place. A diagnosis won't change that. It helps therapists classify problems and sometimes it helps people feel less alone, but there's not such thing as "Anxiety." We all experience it a bit differently, it comes from different places, is triggered by different events and situations etc. "Anxiety" is just a word. It doesn't have the power to ruin anything in its own. I think the real question should be: "How do I deal with getting diagnosed?". And it's really hard to answer to that. I dealt with that too. And all i can tell you is to try to remember that you're not your diagnosis.

You are not alone with this diagnosis. Reach out to the community, like here on 7cups, and find others who are dealing with similar issues.

Being diagnosed with anxiety was one of the best things to happen to me. It validated that what I was feeling was real, and that I shouldn't be embarrassed about it. It is also the first step to learning how to cope with your anxiety.