I have suffered with anxiety on and off for a few years now. It's usually work related although it can be more generalised. I have noticed that some people really seem to trigger my anxiety, especially those who are particularly direct or bossy. I really hate confrontation and I guess it's probably linked to that in some way. I'm wondering if anyone else experiences this and if so, have you found any way of dealing with the anxieties associated this? I would usually just give these people a wide birth, but there are two in particular I can't avoid (family members).
A recent example of an issue with the family member: they are very security conscious but sometimes I find it overkill. They are constantly worried somebody is going to break in and burgle our house (we live round the corner from them) or steal our dogs. They have told me on several occasions they've noticed 'strange vans' driving slowly around the neighbourhood or 'strange men dropping off leaflets' despite the fact that we live in a lovely quiet area with a very low crime rate. This almost always results in them telling me not to answer the door, to stay at home, or not walk the dogs... now I realise crime does happen and you mustn't be complacent, however we take sensible precautions like everyone else (locking doors, walks during the day around the village). I want to carry on as normal as otherwise I'd never leave the house, however as this person has been so direct I feel like there will be a confrontation if they 'catch' me out walking or whatever. I just don't know how to handle the situation and it makes me feel very anxious. I know I should just say (kindly), I think you're overly worrying, but I just can't find a way. In this example, I have been fretting and stewing about it for days (feeling annoyed I've been told what to do like a child, wanting to do my own thing but being anxious about an argument).
Does anyone have any words of wisdom to deal with these types of situation, where essentially you just don't see someone's point of view and you feel you need to assert yourself but find this difficult?