A typical college student struggles with relationship drama, an excessive workload, trying to get into a bar on a Thursday night, and waking up for that dreadful 8:50 a.m. lecture. But hypochondriacs… we have to struggle with that and so much more. We’re always stressing to protect ourselves from germs in lecture halls, public bathrooms and even in our own living space. And, the worst part is, none of our friends actually take us seriously.

Lecture Halls

We’ve all been in them. Hundreds of people jam-packed into a room, being forced to sit only inches away from a stranger. For a normal student, this may just be socially uncomfortable. For a hypochondriac, this is a nightmare. Throughout the duration of the lecture the only thoughts running through a typical hypochondriac’s mind are “Please don’t breathe on me,” or “Maybe I should Purell my hands… once… or twice.” To say the least, it’s difficult for a hypochondriac to focus on the professor when the stranger sitting next to you has all kinds of germs.   

Friends
The most frustrating part about being a hypochondriac is how all of your friends never believe you when you think you’re sick. You take your health very seriously, but they don’t take you seriously. Is it too much to ask for a little sympathy? I mean, us hypochondriacs actually are concerned that we may have the Flu, or Strep Throat, or Mono, or Ebola.  

Roommates

A true college experience includes living with roommates. Roommates are great; you always have someone to entertain you when you’re bored, or to pick you up dinner when you’ve had a stressful week. But the problems arise when you’re a hypochondriac and your roommate decides to come down with a cold. Now what do you do? Wash your hands every thirty minutes? Disinfect the room multiple times a day? Ask her to camp out on State Street until she gets better? This is a true struggle.     

Public bathrooms

Public Bathrooms are the most dreadful place for a hypochondriac to be in. A true hypochondriac will never be caught dead in the bathroom without shoes, and will avoid touching anything at all costs. Too many people who probably “forgot” to wash their hands have touched the bathroom door handle. Hypochondriacs have a constant struggle with figuring out a way to open the door after washing their hands all while avoiding the handle.       

So the next time you make fun of your hypochondriac best friend, just know, the struggle is real.