How to Tell Your Parents You Have Anxiety

What is anxiety? Anxiety is a general term for several disorders that cause nervousness, fear, apprehension, and worrying. These disorders affect how we feel and behave and can cause physical symptoms. Mild anxiety is vague and unsettling, while severe anxiety can seriously affect day-to-day living. Do you have troubles telling your parents or love ones that you have anxiety? We put together a video for you!

Hope you find this helpful!

Watch our anxiety playlist for a better understanding:

Script: Katlyn
Voice Over: Jim Monteforte
Animation: Zyanya Méndez

Intro: Surey Camacho

Project Manager: Erin Bogo
Community Manager: Priscilla Cha, Nicole Pridemore
Producer: Psych2Go

[kadeszs]

When I told my parents that I had anxiety they told me that I was faking it so I have a reason to feel sorry for myself...

[evanzheng]

Parents: Anxiety?
Pshhhh, you’re just stressed... it’s normal

[Gocrazygiogio]

I wish my parents could understand, no mum it's not I'm too sensitive I'm just casually having horrible anxiety thanks

[fgfgfg]

I was literally wondering on how to do this these past few days, most my family won’t think its serious but, thank you for this video .

[nightsky]

What if your parents are in denial about your anxiety?

[CarlosRamirez-nsqw]

I feel stupid whenever I explain to people about my anxiety.

[bluejay]

I have tried multiple times to talk to my parents about how I feel and my anxiety.



But they keep saying that it's just the Devil taking over my mind ): they don't really seem to care about what I'm going threw

[stargirl]

That animation tho 😍😍😍 it's so aesthetic and minimalistic 😍😍😍

[kaidanariko]

I was diagnosed with anxiety only 5 years after it was officially given a universal name. (1996) this is back when they were still not sure how to treat it properly, heavily medicated children, and did frequent “fear therapy” I was given stupid things to do like “pretend your belly is a balloon that popped. All your anxiety is gone! Continue your day!” Like yes. As a young child I understood.

Later diagnosed with generalized anxiety. Social anxiety. Severe panic attack disorder. And later OCD and PTSD.

IM SO glad that it’s more accepted now. I remember being taken away from other children because I puked give them my “purposeful bad behaviour” when I hid behind furniture hyperventilating and freaking out.

I had no friends growing up. And they tried to put me in the remedial class because anyone with mental health disorder was deemed mentally delayed. I was called stupid and at first not allowed to learn with regular children.

I had one of the worst cases of. Not the worst locally and a lot of psychiatrists used me as a guinea pig.

The strides that mental health has taken in 20 years is phenomenal

[rzrcxwg]

how can I seek professional help, If I am to young to do it on my own, but I am not ready to tell my parents?
And how can I tell my parents I think I need therapy?

[amberheart]

Can you maybe make a video on how to tell if you have an anxiety disorder? I did have INCREDIBLY bad anxiety last year, and I wasn't in a very good mental state at the time, but I've been doing a lot better!

[btscft]

i had panic attacks for quite a while bc of stress and anxiety, and my mom caught me one day while having one after something terrible that happened. the next day, she sat me down and asked how long has it been happening. so i told her everything, she took me to my doctor bc she was afraid and now, i have to go to therapy and all, even tho i don't want to. but the thing is, communication is the key. if you can't tell your parents, tell another trusted adult that can help you later on to tell your parents. :)

[nam-nooc]

What if they don't believe me and think that i'm a liar? Because that's exactly what is happening right now and i don't now how to deal with it

[cowboymonkey]

Oh god thank you so much, I really needed this, I’ve been wanting to finally get a therapist and get help. My parents just think I’m just really shy and over think too much.

[ProjectHMT]

I told my mom while we were eating at a restaurant. She was really understanding but as much as she is concerned, I still think she thinks its not that big a deal. Parents who don't have anxiety will always think its ridiculous that you're not able to do the "simple things" that they can do without giving it a second thought. Whenever she sends me to do an errand it takes me so long to get dressed because I get so conscious about how people will see me so I over-dress just so I can feel confident while im out there. And don't get me started on having to cross the street. It feels like the drivers in the stopped cars are picking me apart with their eyes. Doesn't help that my dad likes to do that when hes behind the wheel, judging everyone. So that makes me feel like there's a good chance people ARE watching me when that happens

[katb]

just wanted to say that writing a letter is a really helpful way! My sister did it this way and she persuaded my parents to seek professional help and right now she is much better!

[rachelg]

This was very helpful! Thanks Psych2go

[GetPsyched]

I think this is a really important and powerful video! Telling anyone about anxiety can be so hard. Going about it in a constructive way though is important. Letting others know, especially those close to us can contribute greatly to recovery

[euniro]

It’s hard to talk about my anxiety with anyone... everyone just thinks I’m shy •_•

[mjvybz]

My mom wouldn't listened to me, even if I'd tried