Just wondered if anyone else has this reaction. I have had problems with anxiety over the years, sometimes worse than at other times. Our new neighbours have small children and a new young dog. We never hear the children, but the dog is left in the back garden quite often and ignored when it whines to go in. This is just the other side of the fence outside our window. Of course it needs to go outside from time to time, I understand that, but the pitch of the whine really raises my anxiety levels, making my heart pound. Its got to the stage where I wake up wondering if I will hear it again that day. Keeping busy in the kitchen helps, as does listening to music or radio with headphones on. I want to say something to them but feel I will be seen as a miserable old woman as I don't believe that many people would understand.
It would be good to hear your different points of view. I should add that I do practise relaxation and mindfulness to help the anxiety.
New house and a sloping garden