Everyone deals with a certain amount of anxiety, no matter who you are or what you say you know you do. You can try to cover it up by saying, “oh it’s just a little stress,” but if you aren’t careful it can turn into a lot more than “a little bit of stress.” Those voices you hear out of nowhere when you’re sitting in class or alone in your room that make it hard to focus; they don’t matter, they may seem like they matter but they don’t. Don’t focus on the negative; try looking to the positive. Be who you are; you are smart, strong, independent. You are special. 

Anxiety is a real thing; it’s not just an excuse or something you make up. Being diagnosed with anxiety isn’t anything to flaunt or boast about. It’s a topic that should be taken more seriously but is not. Sped up breathing, shaking leg, and flailing movements are a few of my symptoms during a panic attack. A panic attack is different for everyone; just because what you go through is different than what someone else goes through doesn’t mean it’s not as big of a deal. 

There are many subcategories underneath the category of Anxiety, such as: agoraphobia, panic disorder, selective mutism, separation anxiety, social anxiety, and generalized anxiety. Agoraphobia is where you avoid places or situations that cause you to worry. Panic disorder is where you go in states of panic over everyday situations. Selective mutism is a consistent fear of public speaking. Separation anxiety is developed during childhood and is from being separated from a parent or parental figure. Social anxiety is where you avoid social situations in fear of embarrassment and being judged negatively by others. 

Danielle Koepke sums it up the best by saying,“breathe. You’re going to be okay. Breathe and remember that you’ve been in this place before. You’ve been this uncomfortable and anxious and scared. And you’ve survived. Breathe and know that you can survive this too. These feelings can’t break you. They’re painful and debilitating, but you can sit with them and eventually they will pass. Maybe not immediately, but sometime soon, they are going to fade and when they do, you’ll look back at this moment and laugh for having doubted your resilience. I know it feels unbearable right now, but keep breathing, again and again. This will pass. I promise it will pass.”