4. Separation Anxiety
Similar to my own anxieties I described above, my husband grew up living in crippling fear of his parents dying. His separation anxiety would get so bad that he’d often stay home from school because he was “too sick.” Looking back now, he probably was sick to some extent being that the overwhelming fear of leaving his family — even for something as simple and normal as school — was too much for this sweet little boy to handle.
5. Avoiding Social Interactions
As an adult, we often get invited out for dinner, or a group of friends gathers at someone’s house. You can always turn down an invitation for social activities, but social anxiety as a kid isn’t always so easy to escape. Eating with others in the cafeteria is a minefield of navigating where to sit and who to sit with. What’s worse is when you would sit alone and worry about someone joining you. The anxiety is a mental drain of massive proportions, and far too much for a child to take on and realizing exactly what they’re experiencing.
6. Nervous Habits
Anything from nail biting to hair pulling, to constantly tapping the pencil on your desk would be considered a nervous habit. And they’re all things that people who suffer from anxiety can relate to doing as a child. Most individuals who resort to these habits will often tell you that it’s nearly impossible to stop. Not because pulling hairs out of your head feels good, but because it’s a coping mechanism that’s directly related to anxiety.
7. Canceling plans
Similar to avoiding social interactions, canceling plans is probably one of the most common ways people with anxiety cope. It doesn’t matter if it’s something you’ve been looking forward to forever or not, anxiety makes it so that the “safe” thing to do is retreat and stay home. Many people who suffer from anxiety often see this in their childhood. Whether it be backing out of a slumber party you’ve been looking forward to for weeks, or just a last minute play-date with your best friend, it’s always been your M.O. to isolate yourself at the last minute.
If you’ve lived with anxiety for any amount of time, you know that it affects every individual differently. Some people never experienced anything on this list as a kid, and still, today are the victims of crippling anxiety. Others will read through this list of things people did as a kid because of their anxiety and be raising their hand in agreement saying, “that’s me.”
Wherever you are at in the process, know this: you are not alone. Your childhood ways do not define you in a negative manner but support you in your efforts to combat the beast. Because knowledge is power. Being self-aware and knowing intricate details about how you’re wired and why you do the things you do, is empowering.
