I didn’t have the words for it back then.
I just thought I was “shy,” “too sensitive,” or “weird.”
But looking back, it’s clear now: I had anxiety.
And the wild part?
It’s like I knew.
Even as a kid, I’d say things like, “I’m struggling,” without really understanding why.
Here are some of the things I did growing up that were early signs of anxiety and mental health issues I wouldn’t fully recognize until years later.
- I Was Really Quiet
I wasn’t just introverted—I was scared.
Scared to speak up. Scared of saying the wrong thing. Scared of attention.
I stayed silent in class and around new people because my brain told me it was safer that way.
- I Clung to “Safe” People
There were certain people—usually a parent, a sibling, or a best friend—that I’d stick to like glue.
If I didn’t feel safe, I’d shut down.
I didn’t realize I was trying to manage my anxiety by staying close to comfort.
- I Picked at My Lips and Nails
Bitten nails. Cracked lips.
I thought it was just a bad habit.
Now I know it was my body trying to release nervous energy that had nowhere else to go.
- I Zoned Out a Lot
Sometimes I’d just space out in the middle of conversations, school, even playtime.
I wasn’t bored—I was overwhelmed.
It turns out dissociation is common in people with anxiety. I was coping the only way I knew how.
- I Always Felt “On Edge”
Even in calm moments, my body was tense.
Like I was waiting for something bad to happen.
Like I had to stay ready just in case.
- I Got Upset Easily
I wasn’t dramatic. I was hypersensitive.
If I thought someone was whispering about me or didn’t like me, it would crush me.
I was constantly scanning for rejection or danger—even if it wasn’t there.
- I Overreacted to Imaginary Scenarios in My Head
One of the most exhausting things was the mental stories I created.
I’d imagine people talking about me, laughing at me, or planning to leave me out.
My mind would spiral, and I’d get upset over things that never even happened.
Meanwhile, I was probably the last thing on their mind.
But anxiety convinced me otherwise—and I believed it.
- I Said I Was Struggling—Without Knowing Why
Even though I didn’t have a diagnosis, I’d sometimes say things like, “I don’t feel right,” or “I’m just struggling.”
I didn’t know the word “anxiety.”
But I knew something wasn’t okay.
It’s like my younger self was trying to speak up before I even understood what I was going through.
Truth is… I Still Do Some of These Things
I’ve learned to manage a lot of my anxiety.
I’ve healed in big and beautiful ways.
But some habits—like zoning out or picking my lips—still show up, especially on the hard days.
Old habits die hard.
And that’s okay.
Healing isn’t perfect. It’s just progress.
Final Thoughts:
If any of this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.
Anxiety in children often shows up in subtle ways, and many of us didn’t get the support we needed.
But understanding it now? That’s healing.
That’s how we break the cycle—and take care of the inner child who just didn’t know any better.
