Have you ever met someone who seems like their only mission in life is to put others down, control them, and suffocate them verbally? Now, imagine having that person in your head at all hours of the day constantly putting stress and turmoil on everything you do. Not exactly a fun thought, right? This is what us people with anxiety call "normal." For the people who don't experience this inner demon, consider yourselves lucky.

Here are a few things that people with anxiety might be able to relate to and if you can identify with any of these 11 things, know that you're not alone in your daily battle.

1. Eye Contact is a Definite No

Nobody likes eye contact as much as Chris Pratt. Obviously. But there are some people out there who just can't seem to grasp the concept of it. I'm one of those people. Eye contact makes me uncomfortable and usually makes me feel even more anxious when it comes to conversations. Imagine this scenario: you're walking on the sidewalk and two girls from your sociology class are walking towards you. You know in your mind that if you make eye contact, it'll be awkward if you don't greet them. Oops! You've locked eyes with one. As they walk past, you attempt to say hello, but instead, a squeak that sounds like a squirrel on bath salts escapes and you instantly regret trying to be normal.

2. Insecurities at an All Time High

Some people might just blame this on the fact that maybe we don't have good self-esteem or that we need a "confidence boost." While both of those may be true, that isn't the reason us anxiety folks are insecure. We tend to notice facial expressions and body language of other people a lot more intensely, so if we see something off, we immediately think it's our fault. It's not only our appearance that we may be insecure about (because I mean, who isn't?), but it's most likely our conversation skills and voice. I get super insecure when my voice cracks or when I stutter and when I'm having a conversation with someone and have no clue what to say, I usually want to cry in a corner and hide. Goodbye, world.

3. Having a mixture of OCD and Paranoia

I can't believe I'm about to tell you, whomever may be reading this, my secret quirk. I'm sure most people with anxiety has a level of paranoia/OCD tendencies occasionally, so that makes me feel better. Well, here goes... I quadruple check locks. And alarms. And the time. I basically quadruple check EVERYTHING. When I'm trying something on in the store, I have to check the door so many times and even make my boyfriend guard the door, even though I know it's locked. I'm sure if you have anxiety, you probably have a quirk like this. What's yours?

4. Not Being Able to have a Normal Conversation, Ever.

I can't count how many times a day I embarrass myself in a conversation or in class because I stutter or choke on my words. When I know I'm going to have to talk in front of the class, I repeat what I want to say a million times inside my head. Also, if you try a conversation with someone you've never met before and you ramble on and on about something, forgetting to breathe, and then end up telling them things that are super TMI, then you're one anxious guy or gal. I happen to have severe anxiety so I can relate. Try not to beat yourself up about the weird things you do because of your anxiety, it's not your fault and you can't help it. I usually attempt to embrace my quirks and use humor to save my ass in weird situations.

5. Fear of Being Noticed by Other Humans (unless they're cute guys...)

Imagine you're sitting in class and you really need a tissue for your nose. A person with anxiety would sit in his or her desk and wait for someone else to blow their nose first. Personally, I've never gotten up first to do anything. I was always so scared to stand up in front of the class to wipe my nose, so I would sit there, suffering through snot and discomfort, all because I couldn't stand to have eyes on me. Anyone with anxiety knows that being the center of attention is the worst thing ever in the world, EVER.

6. Parties are Either Really Fun or Really Uncomfortable

So, there are two stages of a party for people with anxiety. The first hour of a party is the Awkward Stage and this is when an individual is too scared and self-conscious to talk to anyone. You might find them hiding alone in a corner somewhere playing Candy Crush. The second stage is the Letting Go Stage and that's when said person with anxiety who was just being shy and anti-social, is coerced or voluntarily drinks 3 Mikes Hard and takes a shot of Vodka. Suddenly, it's as if you have never experienced anxiety in your life and talking to random people is the easiest thing you've done all year. You just told that guy in the purple beanie that he's adorable and asked to lick his face. Oh! And you decided try to make a new friend by doing a shot with her, only to end up sending her over the edge of wasted and making her puke everywhere. Parties are bittersweet for me, you could say.

7. Confrontation is Basically The Plague

I've never been in a physical fight in my life (except for when I accidentally pulled my sister's hair because she stole my favorite shirt), and that's common for most people who are anxious. First of all, yelling freaks us out instantly, especially if it's aimed towards us. In my personal experience, being yelled at by a teacher, a parent, or a friend instantly makes me want to go into panic mode and cry. The complicated thing about it though, is that when I'm about to cry, I get mad instead and it basically never ends well for me. Long story short, if you notice someone with tears in their eyes or someone looking like they're going to pass out while you're yelling at them.. Just calm your voice, and speak to them at a tone where they won't feel cornered. It's basic respect.

8. Going to Sleep is the Most Annoying Task

Shower? Check. Washed face? Check. Brush teeth? Check. PJs? Check. Now to lay in your warm bed and drift off into a dreamless sleep. Just as you lay your head on your pillow, your brain says "Oh hey, just kidding, we're not sleeping yet. We've got stuff to think about." And that's when you start thinking about how many days left are in the semester, what you're going to do for that art project, when you're going to buy your boyfriend's anniversary present, what you should get him, if you should text an old friend tomorrow, when your next gyno appointment is and so on. Now it's 3:37 a.m., you pretty much hate yourself, and have to pee really, really bad. Just a normal Wednesday night.

9. Panic Attacks (see definition below)

The medical definition of a panic attack, according to mayoclinic.org, is a sudden episode of intense fear that triggers severe physical reactions when there is no real danger or apparent cause. The definition of a panic attack according to anyone with anxiety is a soul sucking, earth shattering, no oxygen black hole of crying, gasping, and begging it to stop.

Honestly, panic attacks are the absolute worst part of having anxiety. Especially when they happen for no reason in a social situation. If you know someone's having a panic attack or see someone having one, please help them by telling them to calm their breathing, that everything will be okay, and maybe a hug (if you know them). I was thinking of making a t-shirt that reads "Keep Calm and Breathe On" to show my support to people with anxiety.

10. Thinking About the Meaning of Life and the Future

I never thought I'd be able to relate to a Harry Potter gif so much in my life. The caption on it literally explains exactly what I mean. Anybody with anxiety has encountered thoughts where they feel like they aren't going to make it to a certain age or a certain part of life. For example, when I was 15-16 years old, I would always think about my future and I, honestly, never thought I'd live to be 19 and in college. I just have never seen what my future would be like because my anxiety makes me feel like I'm never going to experience it.

We tend to think about death a lot, and contemplate the possible afterlife, even if we have religious backgrounds. This makes it difficult for folks with anxiety to make future plans and invest in what's to come. Which is the exact reason I didn't start saving for college at any point in my high school career. Smart move, Briah.

11. Cancelling Plans Because You CAN'T Deal with People Right Now

Now, don't get me wrong, I love parties. But when it's a day filled with job interviews, classes, club meetings, and study groups, I can't even think about socializing at a party. If someone with anxiety cancels plans because of a busy day or emotional distress, it's because they don't want to torture themselves by dealing with sensory overload all night. Sensory overload is when you're overly stimulated by the conversation and noise in a particular environment. The feeling compares to your head wanting to blow up and hearing loud screeches in your ears. Not fun.

Now, to my anxiety-filled peers, remember: Keep Calm and Breathe On.