Hi. So I’ve been suffering from anxiety and perfectionism for the past 8-9 months or so. I’ve also gone vegan recently. This anxiety and perfectionism is wrecking me. I think that I’m not (never) good enough because of the perfectionism and my anxiety tries to convince me that I cheat and that I should be ashamed of myself. In addition they produce physical symptoms. Unfortunately some people in my life tell me that the symptoms are because I’m vegan. Now I feel like any health issues or symptoms are my fault as a result due to my sensitivity. This includes the anxiety disorder itself, so each time it comes on I get not only anxiety but shame. All I can feel right now is shame and criticism from my mind. My anxiety tells me that I’m irresponsible and can’t solve my own problems. It tells me that my goals are too small and too easy to be meaningful. I feel sick in my mind every day. Today I kind of made a mini suicide attempt (my anxiety tries to convince me it’s an attempt I’m still not sure). I squeezed my leg, but before I squeezed it hard I stopped the attempt and calmed myself within a split second. Now my anxiety tells me that I can’t persevere through life despite my uncertainty whether if it was an attempt or not and that I’m going to get a blood clot from squeezing my leg for one second which will give me a stroke (my worst fear). I feel absolutely horrible right now and I would seriously appreciate any help I can get!!
CONSIDER THIS:
- Trying to be too perfect can make you feel like you’re not good enough. You are smart for being aware of the negative effects of your behavior despite your anxieties.
- Allow yourself to relax by becoming more aware of your actions and surroundings. You can try meditation or yoga. Eating healthy and regular exercise also contribute to a more healthy outlook on life.
- Do everything in moderation, slow down and set small goals for yourself.
- Be responsible for your own actions and thoughts. Some ways to do this may be to get a part-time job, take care of a pet or do some chores.
- You can try taking your mind off yourself more by doing good for others. Some great volunteer organizations are Habitat for Humanity, American Red Cross or find an animal rescue shelter to contribute to. Your perfectionism may just mean that you have a strong will to do make a difference in the world. The anxiety you feel may mean you feel frustrated because you don’t know how to do this.
- Instead of harming yourself, you can try focusing this energy on activities like listening to music, drawing or learning a musical instrument.
- In order to persevere in life you need to be more realistic. You can do this by setting goals for yourself and following through with them.
- On the Teen Central website you may go to the Learn tab and click on Anxiety to learn more about your issue. If you need someone to talk to you may go to the Help tab where there are several hotlines including the National Suicide Hotline and the Crisis Text line.
- By being more realistic you may discover how you are imagining your own anxieties.
- Speak to a trusted adult or therapist. They may be able to help you come up with a plan to control your bad thoughts.
- Repeat positive affirmations to yourself in a calm way. Notice how your negative thinking is creating a negative world for you.
HELP YOURSELF:
- In what ways can you commit to having a positive outlook in life?
- How would your perfectionism hurt your future?
- In what ways is perfectionism making you less perfect and holding you back in life?
- How would seriously harming yourself make you feel worse about yourself?
- In what ways can you control your mind and practice having a positive mindset?
- In what ways can you be more realistic?
- Are your actions really that bad or are you only worried about what could happen?
