Anxiety is a word that gets thrown around a lot, especially around a bunch of stressed out college students. Although we use the word to describe how we feel when we have an exam coming up or a presentation to give, what does it really feel like to have anxiety? Since the word is used so often, it seems as if the real meaning of it is becoming less and less intense. Even though most cases are self-diagnosed, this doesn't mean it's any less stressful. Anxiety is an actual mental health disorder that affects more than 3 million Americans every year. Many confuse stress with anxiety; however, it's so much worse than that. These two are not the same. Stress comes and goes; anxiety rarely ever leaves.
Imagine being trapped in a small enclosed space or area, not being able to breathe very well and slowly having the enclosed space grow smaller and smaller. Now, imagine racing thoughts always going on in the back of your mind of excessive worry or fear that something is going to go wrong, or you are constantly going to screw something up. Now, imagine not being able to concentrate because of these symptoms coming and going when it's the most inconvenient. You aren't able to control when they happen, while the stressors in your life just make it worse. When this starts to affect your ability to function throughout the day and prevents you from accomplishing tasks, it becomes incredibly frustrating. "Calm down, you're making a big deal out of nothing." "It's nothing, really." "You're being dramatic." Stop saying these things. You don't understand, it is a big deal to me, and if I could calm down, don't you think I would? Do you think I like getting all worked up about everything? Instead of saying these, approach a different way. "How can I help?" "Everything is going to be OK." These are much more comforting, and although it might not seem like it, we appreciate the concern.
At the end of the day, being stressed out and having anxiety are two completely different things. I get that people aren't trying to offend anyone when someone says they're having anxiety over an exam, or anxiety over anything else; however, easing up on this would be nice. Everyone get's stressed out in their life, but anxiety is more than that. Know that anxiety doesn't define us, and just because we have it, doesn't mean it's as noticeable as other mental illnesses. We are able to function normally; it's just more challenging. I know I'm still a happy person who loves to make people laugh because I don't let my anxiety run my life. All I ask is for everyone to be a little more aware when using this term, so it's not thrown around as loosely as it has been.
