Mental Illness Poem

Living With Anxiety

This poem is about my experience with anxiety and how I am still trying to breathe and work through the hard times. I know there are people out there with experiences like mine, and I hope this poem will help people know they are not alone.

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I completely understand you. Whenever I go to the doctor, they say nothing's wrong. But the truth is, it feels like everything is wrong. And it hurts so much, anxiety.

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Breathe

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Published by Family Friend Poems April 2018 with permission of the Author.

Panic, worry, darkness closing in around me.
These are some of the words I could use to describe my anxiety,
but nothing I can say could speak of its entirety,
as I cry internally thinking I've lost my sanity.

Doctors, counselors, saying there's something wrong with me.
My parents telling me to calm down and stop being so crazy.
But how can I calm down when the world around me
is spinning out of control and I can barely see?

Breathe. You will get through this.

You will get through the sleepless nights,
all the internal fights,
and the days that seem right
when the world hits you with all its might.

Breathe. You will get through this.

I know you think I'm overreacting about the silliest little things,
but to me those silly little things seem like the doom the world could bring.
Can't you see, a spilled glass of milk to you can seems like an earthquake to me.

I know it might be hard to understand my anxiety,
but I hope today I have given you some clarity.

So the next time someone is scared and feels like they can't breathe,
shaking and crying, unable to see,
don't tell them they're overreacting; don't call them crazy.
Help them realize there is more to life than this misery,
and no matter the doubt inside, they will be who they are meant to be.

Breathe. I will get through this.

Because I know I am more than just my anxiety,
and one day I hope to be free of it entirely.
But until then, I will keep telling myself, quietly,
I am stronger than this. I am stronger than my anxiety.

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Has this poem touched you? Share your story!
  • Uma Nalwaya by Uma Nalwaya
  • 10 months ago

I completely understand you. Whenever I go to the doctor, they say nothing's wrong. But the truth is, it feels like everything is wrong. And it hurts so much, anxiety.

  • Anonymous by Anonymous
  • 4 years ago

You know I do feel anxious a lot. I end up thinking that I just can't do this. But the thing is that you can. And you will. You will get up and fight the anxiety. You fight it. You move past it. You do. Thanks a lot for sharing this poem.

  • FloG by FloG
  • 4 years ago

I understand completely how you feel. I can't count how many times I've been to the doctor because of anxiety and I was "fine." The only advice I can give you is that if you find something to help calm you down, it will really help. You'll get through this!

  • Sandra Holguin by Sandra Holguin
  • 3 years ago

Anything triggers my anxiety, I have had it for so many years I have actually gotten worse to the point of terrible chest pain. I have had 4 attacks within 4 months. I'm so worried I have quite a bit of major chronic pain due to Stenosis of the cervical spine that lead to 2 major neck surgeries I live with 9 screws and 6 bolts in my neck which ultimately has affected my whole body. I can't move fast like I use to, if I rush I tend to get clumsy and fall or bumping into things. I must be as careful as possible. My husband just doesn't understand that when he gives me a list minute notice to get ready it still takes me so long to get ready. My appearance is very important to me I need to feel pretty to feel better.

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