Anxiety and I met in high school, she would visit me every once in a while depending on the circumstances. She was annoying but nothing I could not handle. She left me for a while and I thought I would never hear from her again.
Anxiety and I met in high school, she would visit me every once in a while depending on the circumstances. She was annoying but nothing I could not handle. She left me for a while and I thought I would never hear from her again.
At the beginning of college, she made herself known and she wanted to take on a bigger role. She bugged me every first day of class, at presentations and whenever I was late, something I was used to from high school. She was growing without me noticing because I did not stop her when I had the chance. She made me weaker. It got to a point where I had to explain to tell people of it, in case I had a panic attack.
As a sophomore in college, I would see her every day, attempting to ruin every little detail. It became a nightmare at night since I stayed in school until dark. I hated walking by myself because she would tell me of all the bad situations that might occur to me. She would turn shadows into people, dark corners into an unknown possibility of scary shapes. I knew she was lying but what if someone was indeed at the corner about to attack me and I could not see them because of the lack of lighting? She got in my head and I was fully aware. I had to fight back, but she was far in and I could not reach her.
She is so powerful. She does not even allow me to eat. She punches me in the stomach every day. She is a parasite that I cannot seem to get rid of.
Anxiety is a top concern for college students. 41.6 percent students have to deal with her according to the American Psychological Association.
Many of us are aware of her existence but we do nothing but hope she disappears. Anxiety disorders are treatable but people consider it not a real issue. I remember telling my teacher that I could not present because of my anxiety and he told me that it was “fine,” and acted like I used my disorder as an excuse. I overcame my fear of public speaking, but she was still there as my critic. Only 36.9 percent receive treatment for their anxiety according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America.
People need to understand that just because you do not have it or do not have it as bad as others that it is not a real issue. Anxiety is a disorder that is linked to many illnesses and other specific disorder. It is not a joke or an excuse. She is my biggest nightmare and for you to make fun of it, it is not fair.
