Viral Video Hilariously Nails What It's Like Being A Mom With Anxiety
Jenkins hilariously sums up what it’s like to live with anxiety
If you are a person who suffers from anxiety, you know it can be a constant and debilitating disorder that can impact every part of your life. Even though those of us who deal with anxiety have different symptoms and triggers, this video created by a woman who suffers herself will resonate with you on so many levels.
Also? It’s pretty damn funny.
Tiffany Jenkins, who writes and produces videos for the wildly popular Juggling The Jenkins, is used to talking about topics like parenting, addiction, marriage, exercise videos, and hilarious thoughts about everyday life. But her latest video (a part two to one she released earlier this year) summing up what it’s like to live with anxiety is so accurate it hurts (in a good way, finally).
The video starts off with Jenkins’ anxiety (played by her, of course) yelling at her to get out of bed. “We’ve got a lot to do today,” her anxiety says. “We’re not going to get any of it done but we will spend a lot of time obsessing over it.” Sounds about right.
She goes on to deal with things like her daughter asking for a sleepover, which her anxiety reminds her: “Have you not seen Chris Hanson’s To Catch a Predator?” To answering the phone when her friend calls: “Don’t answer that, she’s gonna want you to go do something. And then you’re going to have to put pants on.” To seeing her neighbors: “She hates you. She’s laughing at your pants.”
It’s hilarious. And it’s real AF.
Jenkins knows anxiety isn’t a laughing matter, but she also knows sometimes it’s all you can do because it’s so overwhelming. “Anxiety sucks, man. It’s a battle that only those who have experienced it understand,” she wrote on her YouTube channel. “You are not alone, and it’s okay to ask for help.”
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults in the United States age 18 and older, according to the ADAA. Anxiety disorders also affect 25 percent of children between 13 and 18 years old. It’s no wonder Jenkins’ video has been viewed almost six million times.
Although best known for her funny viral videos, Jenkins has always been open about her past addiction, as well as her struggles with depression and anxiety. Creating videos highlighting the everyday problems like isolation, anger, and overwhelm she feels helps those of us who also suffer feel less alone.
She also makes us laugh. And that is a beautiful thing.
