Is it normal to have anxiety around my birthday?

81% Normal
7 Comments

For as long as I can remember I have dreaded my birthday. It is a time when I am anxious and easily upset. As a kid, more often than not I would end up crying in my room during birthday parties.
Today is my birthday and woke up crying. Hell, I was crying last night when I went to sleep. I do not really have anything to be upset about, I love my family and have a great house and can stay home with my kids. But on my birthday I really just want to run and hide somewhere. I think it is that I want the day to feel special...and it rarely does. This is not because anyone around me should be doing anything differently, I don't think. But I feel selfish on my birthday for wanting it to be special. And then being disappointed when it is not. Sure the kids make me things. My parents brought me potted flowers which I love. My husband is going to take me out to dinner. So why do I get so upset? I get angry with myself for feeling this way and apologetic towards my family. 38 friends on Facebook have wished me a happy birthday. I will not check them today, but the number comes up in my feed. I get upset when friends or family do not say it though at the same time. My sister forgot this year. And a couple of my kids too. I probably just need to get the hell over myself. I just wish I knew why I felt this way....and what I could do to deal with it.

Voting Results
81% Normal
Based on 129 votes (105 yes)
Help us keep this site organized and clean. Thanks!
[ Report Post ]
Comments ( 7 )
  • LornaMae
    9 years ago

    Birthdays are overrated. I just congratulate my parents every year. As I see it, it's their feat, not mine.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    1
    1
  • bonzaiwombat
    7 years ago

    Yeah I don't get it either. I love making a big deal over my daughter's birthday but I can't stand my own. Birthdays are a big deal to my dad and whenever I even imply anxiety about it he just says it's just another excuse for the family to get together. I actually just let them plan a party and then I don't show up. I don't want to be there, I want to just stay at home and have a good cry and work things out alone. Honestly all I want for my birthday is for it to just come and go without mention but apparently that's too much to ask.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • Lilero
    8 years ago

    I have this too. I think it's bc everyone makes a big deal of birthdays and we are taught to expect them to be perfect but they rarely are so we feel sad etc. which makes us feel worse bc we're supposed to enjoy our birthday and we're not. It's kind of stress bc we feel how we experience our birthday doesn't live up to society's expectations. And then we hate our birthday for the past feelings we associate with it. I think it's perfectly normal

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • ChaoticBunny
    8 years ago

    I don't like all the attention I get on my birthdays. As a person that suffers social anxiety, it just feels so awkward.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • stanie
    9 years ago

    the older you get the more you think what I am I doing with my life !

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • bananapie
    9 years ago

    I know that feel.. There are a lot of days I wish I were dead, so I don't really like the idea of celebrating my birth..

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • FireFlower
    9 years ago

    I hate birthdays too

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0