A student doctor who struggles with anxiety has revealed what is really going on beneath the surface, and why what you see from someone’s personality isn’t always indicative of what’s going on in their head.
Zachery Dereniowski, 27, is a Canadian motivational speaker and medical student at the University of Sydney, and he specialises in mental health and making educational TikTok videos around the subject.
In one of his latest clips, Zachery revealed why someone who seems detail-oriented might be just over-thinking, and how you might think someone is outgoing, but in actual fact they are an obsessive people pleaser.
‘Anxiety: This is proof that how you “see me” isn’t necessarily how I feel,’ Zachery posted on TikTok.
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A student doctor who struggles with anxiety has revealed what is really going on beneath the surface (Zachery Dereniowski pictured)
YOU SEE: Detail oriented
THE REALITY: Can’t stop over-thinking
The first example Zachery gave is someone who you might think is extremely detail-oriented.
‘In reality, this personality trait might hide someone who can’t stop over-thinking,’ he said.
The student doctor recommends asking someone how they are and then always genuinely stopping to hear their response.
This will ensure they feel valued and like you’re listening to what they tell you.
In one of his latest clips, Zachery (pictured) revealed why someone who seems detail-oriented might be just over-thinkin
YOU SEE: Outgoing
THE REALITY: People pleasers
Many people pleasers masquerade as outgoing, and often you wouldn’t even know there is something wrong unless you know someone incredibly well.
Zachery said you need to look out for people-pleasing habits, as these can be a sure-fire sign of anxiety.
‘We’re suffering from a brain imbalance, not a character disorder [and] we don’t want to be a burden,’ he said in another clip.
‘Our sleep patterns are usually way off. Our eating patters are usually way off, too.’
Zachery added that people with anxiety find comfort in knowing that they have friends and family who will stand by their side through thick and thin.
‘Friends and family who stick by us are treasured beyond words,’ he revealed.
Many people pleasers masquerade as outgoing, and often you wouldn’t even know there is something wrong unless you know them incredibly well (pictured)
YOU SEE: Productive
THE REALITY: Inability to slow down
Another thing the student doctor said you need to watch out for is productivity.
While this can be good and can signify that nothing is wrong, Zachery also said it can hide an inability to slow down.
Productivity might indicate someone who is unable to sit down and be with their thoughts, so it always pays to check in on friends and family members.
YOU SEE: Hard-working
THE REALITY: Fear of failure
If someone is excessively hard-working, it could mask a fear of failure.
Zachery said so often, people with anxiety feel like they need to hide it and pump their productivity into working hard.
Zachery’s (pictured) post struck a huge chord with his followers, many of whom said they too struggle with anxiety
YOU SEE: Performs well under pressure
THE REALITY: Procrastinates
Finally, Zachery said performing well under pressure is all well and good, provided that’s all it is.
But some people who have this trait are also huge procrastinators, and they too might struggle with anxiety.
Zachery’s post struck a huge chord with his followers, many of whom said they too struggle with anxiety.
‘Mate, thank you for this, you literally share my feelings,’ one commenter wrote.
‘I love these. The only way to move forwards is knowing and understanding,’ another added.
To find out more about Zachery Dereniowski, you can visit his TikTok page here.