TeenHelp - Anxiety about the past/nostalgia?

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Anxiety about the past/nostalgia?

I'm not really sure what this is and why it makes me so anxious..
Whenever I experience nostaliga or read/hear/see something that reminds me of the past (for example, if I hear a song that I used to listen to a year ago) it makes me so so anxious. I start getting really worried and I don't understand it. It worries me because I don't feel like the 'same' person that I was a year ago, etc. (or like when I was when I listened to that song). It makes me so anxious and I hate the feeling so much. Like I almost start crying because I don't feel like the same person - obviously I shouldn't feel like the same person because a lot has changed over the past year and I've grown up a lot but it still makes me so worried.

I'm thinking I might have OCD so this might link into it. does anyone experience a similar anxiety to this, does anyone have any advice on how i can cope with this?? it makes me feel so so scared and worried and i dont understand it :( :?

Re: Anxiety about the past/nostalgia?

Hey there,

I've had some similar experiences. Sometimes when I think or am reminded of the past, I get anxious too. Though for me, it's more like an uncomfortable feeling.

Either way, I think this happens when we have a lot of emotions from the past. If the past was difficult, it can still affect us in the present. If the past was happy, and things are different now, it can also be hard to accept. At the same time, you are right that if we've changed a lot it can be hard being reminded of the past.

It may be because of anxiety issues or OCD. To cope with it, it might be worthwhile trying to avoid any triggers of the past for a while. If you do get triggered, find ways to calm yourself down and then get distracted by doing something that makes you feel positive about yourself. Also, are you currently seeing a therapist? It's definitely a good idea to talk about your issues, especially seeing as this upsets you a lot.

Take care :hug: