I had an anxiety attack this week. I was late to a mock audition and when I got there, someone jokingly berated me by asking, "Where the hell have you been?" and I detracted into a sobbing mess that could hardly breathe. I spent a good two minutes just supporting myself on a table, completely certain this was the end of my career before it even began.
That's why I hate when people dismiss anxiety. "You're worrying too much!" "Just relax!" "That's not actually a thing; just get over it." You wouldn't be saying that if your brain completely shut down and cascaded into a spiral of ways one 'insignificant' event could completely and utterly ruin your life. I knew it was irrational. I knew that being late to this one audition wasn't going to make me die alone in a trailer surrounded by cats, but that's what my brain was telling me.
That being said, there are some ways to curb the existential void that lives in the crevices of our brains like a moray eel reminding us that they exist with all their evil sliminess. Here's just a few.
1. Identify.
If you can, identify the source(s) of your anxiety. Is it a speech you have to give? Is it a test you have to take? If you can put a name to the monster, it gets a little less scary and more manageable. Of course, sometimes there isn't a specific source, and in that case, take this the other way around. Identify some good things that have happened recently. In my case, it especially helps to remember meaningful conversations or events I've shared with other people as a reminder that people do care about me (one of the major sources of my anxiety).
2. Disengage.
I have friends who understand anxiety, and during this particular attack, they were incredibly supportive and ushered me into the bathroom to give me some space to just get away from the audition room. For me, getting away from the source of my anxiety does help, even if it means I won't get something done. Something that a lot of college students and adults should understand is that your health, mental or physical, should always come first.
3. Distract.
This helps me personally and ties directly into disengaging-- when I feel my anxiety spiking, I step away from whatever I've identified as the source and focus on something else for a while. Video games tend to help me more than anything, especially something mindless (I'm deep into "Nuclear Throne" right now-- nothing like destroying hundreds of enemies to
4. Vent.
If you are able to and have someone that is willing to listen and understand, it never hurts to tell someone what is triggering your anxiety. They might be able to help you ground yourself or find solutions to ease the sources of your anxiety. Of course, in the midst of an attack, it's hard to believe anything anyone tells us, but just having someone there who understands can mean a lot.
5. BREATHE.
One of the things that is easy to forget when you're in the midst of an anxiety attack or your anxiety is just peaking extra high is breathing. It helps to keep something like the GIF above nearby for guided breathing, but there are plenty of other resources as well! One that I've really enjoyed is Flowy, where you help a boat go sailing with your breathing cycle!
Anxiety/panic attacks aren't fun, and they're not "fake." We don't live in a constant state of worry just for attention. Hopefully, some of these tips might be helpful if you suffer from anxiety, but none of these are a complete substitute for professional help. If your anxiety is severe, please consider consulting a professional therapist or your school's counselor. It might take some time, but they're there to help..
