I keep seeing references to anxiety disorders being widely accepted and destigmatized (family members telling me "everyone has anxiety sometimes, so people are understanding of it," and online discussions about other conditions with phrases like "as opposed to destigmatized conditions like anxiety") and I genuinely want to know wtf everyone is talking about.
Explain why people laugh or get angry when someone stutters a lot or is so anxious they can't talk at all, especially in professional/academic environments.
Explain why people get freaked out and sometimes call security when someone is crying and shaking and can't explain themselves during a panic attack in public.
Explain why "too nervous to order food in a restaurant" and similar comments are always used as insults online.
Explain why so many teachers don't allow mental health days for anxiety or let students leave the classroom during panic attacks.
Explain why people get so uncomfortable around the topic of anxiety medication and antidepressants.
Explain why people are always weirded out by, if not outright hostile towards, people with psychiatric service dogs, communication cards, or other aids for their anxiety.
Explain why people with anxiety are laughed off and ignored when they try to advocate for their needs or set boundaries.
Explain why people are considered selfish if they're too anxious to verbally say "excuse me" or thank people for holding the door open.
Explain why people joke about hair loss even though it can often result from stress related to anxiety.
Explain why people act like it's a major burden to make a person with anxiety feel safe in an activity.
Anxiety may not be as stigmatized as other conditions, but that doesn't mean people aren't still ableist towards people with anxiety. They only accept it if it's hidden well enough that they don't have to look at it. And when they do have to look at it, all of their "acceptance" and "mental health matters <3" fly out the window.
The only reason you think anxiety is "widely accepted" is because your idea of anxiety is "someone who is mildly introverted and has a softish voice but is otherwise completely normal."
Trivialized isn't the same as accepted.
