Anxiety And Depression Follows | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

Anxiety And Depression Follows

I thought college had "fixed" me

352
Anxiety And Depression Follows
https://az616578.vo.msecnd.net/files/2018/02/28/636554450486247833-1364117334_bigstock-jealousy-or-lovesickness-woma-30522896.jpg

In my junior year of high school, I was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. I would constantly have mild panic attacks which consisted of internal tremors, where it feels like my entire body is shaking, even though it isn't. If my anxiety ever got really bad, I would have a bad panic attack, and I wouldn't be able to breathe. These attacks could be caused by lots of things, from being overwhelmed by the amount of homework in front of me, to getting into a fight with a friend.

I always put so much pressure on myself, and set my expectations so high. Therefore, when I would inevitably fail to achieve those expectations, I would punish myself, tell myself I wasn't good enough, and that I am a failure. As high school went on, I learned to deal with my anxiety, and found ways to change my mindset. Finally, graduation came, and I was nothing but excited to start college.

My first semester at college was like a dream. I immediately found friends, I had the most wonderful boyfriend, and my classes, while challenging, were not stressing me out. Then I joined a sorority. It was a stressful process, and at first I questioned if I ended up in the right place. But I found myself getting along very well with the other women, and I got the best big sister I could ask for.

I was convinced that I had not only found a way to deal with my anxiety, but that I had permanently "fixed" myself. Life wasn't always perfect, but I had not had any panic attacks in almost a year. Little did I know, it wasn't going to last.

Summer came around, and I was thrilled to have a paid internship just after my freshman year. I live in Virginia, which meant that I was not close to any of my friends, who all lived in New Jersey or Pennsylvania. I was also far from my boyfriend, who had gotten a summer job at school. At first, it was not bad. I had a 9-5 job which took up most of my time, and then I would text and call my friends and boyfriend when I was free. And, I got to reunite with my friends from high school on the weekends. Things were good. But then I found myself feeling alone at work.

Some days I would sit in a cubicle the entire day, never seeing other people. And my friends and boyfriend got more and more busy, leaving me with less time to talk to them. I saw myself getting distant from everyone. It felt like no one wanted to talk to me or be around me. People were making plans to visit one another, but no one tried to make plans with me. I felt left behind. People stopped acknowledging me in group chats, which led me to stop talking in them at all. I felt completely alone. When I tried to bring it up to people, they told me I was overreacting, and that soon summer would be over and when I went back to school it would all go back to normal. I tried to believe them, but I knew it wouldn't be true. Then the panic attacks returned. I felt horrible. I did not want to go to work, in fact I didn't want to leave my house. I had also been trying to lose the freshman 15 over the summer, and I had done an amazing job. But when I looked at myself in the mirror I didn't see progress, I only saw disappointment. Finally summer was coming to an end. I did not want to go back to school. I dreaded retuning and still being alone.

Sophomore year has been a roller coaster so far. There are times when I feel so included in my sorority and in my relationships, and other times when I tell myself that no one wants me around, and I sit alone in my room, too scared to leave even to get a cup of water. I have accepted that I did not cure my anxiety, and that it is not something that can be cured. It is something that I must learn to cope with, and find ways to not let it hold me back. I tell myself every day that I am not going to let my anxiety and depression effect me, and that I will try to find ways to make myself smile and destress, however I have yet to find anything that actually works.

I thought that college would fix me. And for a while, I thought it had. Now I am trying to find ways to help myself. I think that it is important that I express to others how I am feeling, so that I am not trapped in my own head, telling myself that I know what other people think/feel about me. If I can do this, maybe I won't be alone.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

189602
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

14530
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

457546
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

26467
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments