Is anxiety common for ACON's?

[el123]

Just wondering if anxiety and panic attacks are common in ACON.  I have suffered enormous anxiety starting from the time my first child was born 7 years ago.  I needed to be a good parent, unlike my N mom and had to write all of my own rules to do this.  The cycle completely stopped with me.  I'm extremely glad that I did this but not without enormous anxiety (what if I'm doing a bad job, how can I know how to be a good mom, what are the parenting 'rules', etc).  Is this common?  It seems that lots of people here have anxiety/ panic attacks.  What do you think?
-El

[mighty mouse]

El123,

I didn't have panic attacks but I've never learned how to relax. I think it's because there was always so much fighting and stress in our house and the fact that my mom needed us to be available to her at her whim. I can remember my mom always yelling one of our names and you had better be there on the double or else she got madder than she already was.

In my early teens and twenties I had a lot of health problems and was always stressed. I then decided to consult a nutritionist and I have been taking vitamins and using alternative things to regain my health. It's worked really well. And then I had to work on the mental stuff.

Of course, on learning of my regimen, my mom had to take pot shots at me, but I've continued regardless. If it wasn't that it would be something else anyway. I have been a lot more at peace the last year and a half or so since I've accepted who my mom is and severely cut off most contact. Sweet peace I'll tell ya...

MM

[Blue Topaz]

Just wondering if anxiety and panic attacks are common in ACON. I have suffered enormous anxiety starting from the time my first child was born 7 years ago. I needed to be a good parent, unlike my N mom and had to write all of my own rules to do this. The cycle completely stopped with me. I'm extremely glad that I did this but not without enormous anxiety (what if I'm doing a bad job, how can I know how to be a good mom, what are the parenting 'rules', etc). Is this common? It seems that lots of people here have anxiety/ panic attacks. What do you think?
-El


Hi El123,

It is not uncommon at all, for an anxiety disorder to develop, particularly in those more prone biologically,  when under extreme worry or stress.  

What you describe as your enormous anxiety about being a good mom, and all that it may have brought back about your own childhood too, could have easily triggered the disorder.   It wouldn't be an uncommon thing.

I have an anxiety disorder that included panic attacks (don't get them now) but my parents were/are not N's.   My mother did have an anx. disorder though, which is what left me prone.

Congratulations on stopping the cycle and being such a great mom!! It's parents like you that make alllll the difference if life

BT

[lizbeth as Guest]

Same here, I am and have always been a very uptight person.  Full of anxiety.  It has gotten better, I have learned the past few years to let some of it go, but most of my life has been spent a nervous wreck.  Another of the lovely gifts of having N's and nuts for parents.

Lizbeth

El123,

I didn't have panic attacks but I've never learned how to relax. I think it's because there was always so much fighting and stress in our house and the fact that my mom needed us to be available to her at her whim. I can remember my mom always yelling one of our names and you had better be there on the double or else she got madder than she already was.

In my early teens and twenties I had a lot of health problems and was always stressed. I then decided to consult a nutritionist and I have been taking vitamins and using alternative things to regain my health. It's worked really well. And then I had to work on the mental stuff.

Of course, on learning of my regimen, my mom had to take pot shots at me, but I've continued regardless. If it wasn't that it would be something else anyway. I have been a lot more at peace the last year and a half or so since I've accepted who my mom is and severely cut off most contact. Sweet peace I'll tell ya...

MM

[el123]

Thanks for the replies!  

MM, that's great that you were able to control the anxiety!  I know what you mean about your mom taking pot shots at you on learning your regimen (all too well, LOL).

BT, I think that I am definately more prone biologically.  I am very sensitive by nature.  Thanks so much for saying taht I'm a great mom!!  That's a huge confidence boost!

Lizbeth, glad that your anxiety has gotten better too!

I haven't gotten any panic attacks in a long time now and my anxiety is way better.  I'm almost 'normal' (whatever that is, LOL).  A combination of nutrition, exersize, meditation, spiritual development, relaxation techniques, massage and having fun seems to keep it under control for me now.  It does seem to be common in ACON's though, it seems.
-El