When you think of anxiety, you might think of someone with an extremely high fight-or-flight type of a reaction to stressful situations. The reality is, most anxiety is actually manifested within and hides under a sort of invisibility cloak. This, unfortunately, makes it harder for people to understand and best help those who struggle from this disorder. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), nearly 18.1 percent of adults struggle or have struggled with some form of anxiety disorder.

For the most part, anxiety tends to keep a low profile and works like an internal alarm or safety mechanism. But what is it really like to struggle with anxiety?

1. If you're introverted, people often mistake you for being anti-social.

2. Anxiety can seem over-dramatic or irrational to people on the outside. On the inside, how anxiety makes you feel is very, very real.

3. You constantly criticize what you say or do in fear of rejection or potential awkwardness.

4. A lot of the time, you worry that even your closest friends secretly don't like you or talk behind your back.

For the most part, this is untrue and it's hard to live life believing everything your mind tells you.

5. Sleeping becomes a chore because it's almost impossible to do with so many thoughts running around your head.

6. Nausea and hot flashes become increasingly normal in uncomfortable situations.

7. You have routines and habits that keep you sane, for the most part.

8. The bathroom becomes your number one friend ... to hide and contemplate stressful situations.

Anxiety isn't the same for everyone, but sometimes it's nice to know we're not alone in this struggle.

“Never give up on someone with a mental illness. When "I" is replaced by "We," illness becomes wellness.” - Shannon L. Adler