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Original poster

What is the strangest thing that triggers your anxiety?

172 replies

MullerInk · 21/05/2023 16:43

For me it's when we are having a garden day, walking in and out of the garden to the kitchen. It makes me feel so sick with worry@

OP posts:
PrincessHoneysuckle · 21/05/2023 19:43

Dark restaurants/eating areas

FernGully43 · 21/05/2023 20:05

Doorbell ringing when DH isn't home. I feel ridiculous but I get so anxious as opposed to when he's here

Treasureboxkey · 21/05/2023 20:11

Phone calls from numbers that I don't know.
Unexpected knocks at the door
The post
I think it all stems from when dd was tiny and dh was made redundant. Trying to manage the bills every month and being in debt. It was years ago now but it's worse than ever.

My kids scraping their feet when walking in fine gravel. It really sets me on edge and makes me quite agitated.

Frith2013 · 21/05/2023 20:12

Escalators. But only sometimes.

ktpoo · 21/05/2023 20:14

Seeing family 😣

gerbo · 21/05/2023 20:15

Having to hold something in front of people. I first felt panicky eating in a certain social setting and my arms/hands went weak, I thought/felt like I'd drop my cutlery! Like I'd lost all strength and had jelly hands.
I get it holding a drink in social situations if I'm anxious and have to put the drink down, as I panic I'll drop it.
A friend asked if I'd like to hold her baby at a wedding, in a circle of people, and I made some excuse, as my arms had gone weak.
Very odd! Does anyone else get this??
It seems to be when I feel socially anxious and very watched by lots of eyes.

DemonicCaveMaggot · 21/05/2023 20:16

Swimming pools when I am the only person in them or they are large and not many people are in them. I can trace that back to the James Bond movie where someone was in a pool and the villain sent sharks through an underground passage into the pool.

Deep water. I think that is called Thalassaphobia.

Dressshelp · 21/05/2023 20:18

Teaspoons on the drainer with a little bit of tea still on them and people stood above me when I’m sat down.

DemonicCaveMaggot · 21/05/2023 20:18

Gerbo I used to get that in biology lessons when I was at school. I could barely take notes. Even descriptions of amoeba would bring on the weak, tingly hands. I had to give up after a year, there is no way I could have taken it through to O level.

Addymontgomeryfan · 21/05/2023 20:19

sleepysally22 · 21/05/2023 17:04

Halfords. I think it's because I had a panic attack in there once before and now when I go in there it seems to trigger the memory.

Im the same, but Asda not Halfords. I once had a panic attack while in Asda and now get panicky even thinking of going there.

RedRosette2023 · 21/05/2023 20:19

The worry I’ll need to wee frequency/at all when it would be awkward to leave to wee. Like car journeys with colleagues, exams, meetings.

gerbo · 21/05/2023 20:22

DemonicCaveMaggot, how funny. Never thought anyone else would get it.
It's a vicious cycle of anxiety I'll feel weak, drop something, so put the thing down, then feel more anxious that I look odd!
I've had to use my other hand to guide my shaky hand to my mouth before at stressful meals.
Sounds a bit ridiculous, I know, I still manage to do a professional job and bring up my children etc. perfectly well.

What was it about biology that set it off, do you think?

AmberGer · 21/05/2023 20:23

Answering machines. I'm a stuttering, stumbling, jabbering wreck

AgentAfricanGrey · 21/05/2023 20:27

Washing my hair. It always makes me think of the time that my horrible Aunt treated me like I was an imbecile, all because my 9 year old brain couldn't grasp the concept of showering without washing/getting your hair wet. We only had a bath in my house so it wasn't something I had experienced before.

She was so insecure about herself that my innocent, normal childhood questions made her feel attacked in some bizarre way.

TheMildManneredMilitant · 21/05/2023 21:35

The thought of being trapped somewhere where there's no toilet - like a long queue, cable car, traffic jam, centre of the aisle in a theatre etc etc.

Cornishromcom · 21/05/2023 21:36

When DC watch pokemon

Its just so fast, bright, loud, zingy, quick aahhhhhhhaha

Cornishromcom · 21/05/2023 21:37

(I think it reminds me of lockdown. Sadly during lockdown I suffered from an almighty breakdown and required valium to break up my panic attacks. I'm still on anxiety meds. But the sound of Pokemon brings it all back!)

WestOfWestminster · 21/05/2023 21:39

After i've filled up my car with petrol, walking to the kiosk to pay. This is ever since that bloody Silent Witness episode with the sniper at the petrol station.

Vintagecreamandcottagepie · 21/05/2023 21:40

Never getting any time to myself. Never being alone.

I need peace and calm and to be alone for a considerable amount each day.

I don't get it so my anxiety is through the roof by 6.30pm

sweetcarolinedadada · 21/05/2023 21:40

Being around my parents... I become overwhelmed with the idea one of them is going to have some sore of acute event like a stroke or heart attack... WHY THOUGH?!!

SmallandSpanish · 21/05/2023 21:42

Big roundabouts, leaving the house. I like being out, it's just the leaving the house routine that gets me. Have I turned the straighteners off, left enough water for dogs etc

user73 · 21/05/2023 21:42

Going to the loo, it’s a problem.

checking the post

putting petrol in the car

CombatBarbie · 21/05/2023 21:45

Daffodils

jaychops · 21/05/2023 21:45

Summer

PollyannaWhittier · 21/05/2023 21:45

my phone ringing, receiving a text message / email / forum reply

buckets or washing up bowls out of context (I have emetophobia and my brain connects those receptacles with illness)