How the Need to Become Invisible Helped Me Understand My Chronic Anxiety Disorder
When life put me in the spotlight as an adult, anxiety appeared.
“What’s going on? Did something happen?” — These are some of the questions you hear from people around you, obviously puzzled because you don’t seem happy and relaxed that particular Sunday morning.
And you should feel happy and relaxed because the idyllic lake scene is indeed jaw-droppingly beautiful.
“Nothing. I’m fine” becomes your most common, automatic answer while showing your brief, one-size-fits-all smile to deal with the attention you didn’t invite.
You quickly hide the truth written in your eyes behind the sunglasses–thank God it’s sunny–and do your best to return to the book’s pages.
“Are you sure?” — Here comes the consistent and insistent ‘question of the day’ when all you want is to become invisible to those around you, who have now stopped chatting and turned their full attention to you.
Awesome.
“Absolutely! I am just enjoying my book!” — It’s your polite attempt to conclude the annoying inquiry.
They eventually turn back to their Sunday conversation about the latest news and how this world is going nuts…
