Think about the people in your life. Think about your relatives, your friends, your co-workers- anyone you encounter, really. What is the first thing you think of? Do you think of their curly hair that you're super jealous of? What about how good they are at their sport? Are you thinking of how well-spoken they are? These are the types of things I think of when I mull over the people in my life. Well that's easy, because everyone has some sort of memorable characteristic about them.
But one thing we don't usually consider when we meet people, or think of those we already know, is why people behave in the way that they do. Everyone has their quirks and their stories that have molded them into the person they are today, but I'm here to focus on a prevalent thing that people deal with, silently, all the time.
40 million adults, aged 18-54, have some form of anxiety disorder in the United States alone. That's 18 percent, or almost 1/5, of the US population. And among society, it feels as though those with anxiety all fit some sort of mold. Picture anxiety; odds are, you might picture a panic attack, or someone with test anxiety. Maybe you picture your mom checking in on you every five minutes. Maybe you picture someone on the outskirts of society who doesn't know how to handle themselves.
Anxiety isn't all those things. Anxiety doesn't just manifest itself in outward, shaky, scary panic attacks. It isn't just crying or freaking out or getting nervous. Anxiety doesn't have a look.
Relating back to you, you probably know at least ten people. Now imagine that two of those people have an anxiety disorder. You aren't imagining your friends as crazy, deranged, panic-stricken people. They're still just the way they are, but delve a little deeper.
Anxiety can manifest itself in so many ways. There isn't just a cut and dry synopsis. For some, its a sense of feeling overwhelmed in particular situations. For some, it is the need to be organized. For some, it is planning for every possible outcome of a situation. For some, it is a need for control. For some, it is being overtaken by sadness. Sometimes it can be tied to depression, eating disorders, substance abuse, or other mental illnesses.
The point is, consider the people around you before you act. Anxiety, and other mental illnesses aren't always shown on the outside. You never know if someone around you is a prisoner of their own mind. So be considerate, and show some love to those around you, because everyone has their own, quiet battles they fight every day.
