Chances are that if you're in college, you are friends with someone who has clinical anxiety. First, I want to address that stress and anxiety are not the same things. It's normal to feel stressed at busy or eventful times in life. The symptoms of clinical anxiety are different than those of stress.
People with anxiety get so caught up in their thoughts that they begin to have an increased heart rate and may even start to shake. A person with anxiety lives a slightly different life than those without.
However, there are a few upsides to the condition as someone in college. I have lived with clinical anxiety for about a year now and can honestly say that I have become happier and successful in some aspects after facing the facts of my condition.
So, here are 5 ways that a student with anxiety wins at the college life:
1. We need to be busy.
There are many occasions where I can't sit still. Why? Because my body may be stationary, but my mind will run a million miles an hour. So, I need to find something to do, and a lot of times I choose to go to a coffee shop, surround myself with the voices of people, and get ahead in my school work. I have lived with clinical anxiety for two semesters now, and my GPA has increased by 4/10 of a point. What a bonus, am I right? Not everyone "needs" relaxation after being in class all day.
2. We aim to please.
I think we are just so afraid of unhappiness because it adds uneasiness and stress. If you date us, we will do whatever we can to better your day and see you smile.
3. All-nighters? Not a problem.
We sometimes pull them unintentionally just because our minds are too awake for us not to be. So when the books call for us to stay up all night, you won't hear us complaining.
4. We always turn things in early.
This kinda goes along with always needing to be busy, but if I have a couple hours in between classes, you won't find me taking a nap. Instead, I'm working on that paper that's due in two weeks. You might think I'm crazy, but I refuse to stress over cramming it into 2 days.
5. Lastly, we make the best of friends.
Growing up, I was always taught, "do unto others, as you would like others to do unto you." As a person living with clinical anxiety, I need my friends and I need a support system. And I have learned that the only way I will receive comfort and love is to radiate it as well.
I have been blessed with some pretty amazing people in my life and without them, I don't know where I would be. Making friends with someone living with the condition means that someone will always have your back, pick you up when you're at your lowest, and never leave your side, even when it seems easy to walk away.
