There are three kinds of people:

1. Those who hear the word 'anxiety' and blow it off as some fabrication people who want attention come up with.
2. Those who hear the word 'anxiety' and think it's synonymous with 'nervousness.'
3. Those who hear the word 'anxiety' and know how crippling it really is.

I'm part of the third category, but I know people from all three.

There is a lot of information about anxiety. Everyone should know at least the basics when it comes to spotting an anxiety disorder versus normal, healthy levels of anxiety. Especially when it comes to you or a loved one. If you don't want to click each of those links, stay here and I'll give a basic run-down on what anxiety disorders are and how you can help yourself or someone close to you.

Let's start with the fun part: the symptoms.

There are several different forms of anxiety disorders, but they're all characterized by an intense feeling of dread or fear. For those who suffer from general anxiety disorder, this feeling is constant. For those who suffer from an anxiety related to something (such as performance anxiety), it can come up just by thinking about a certain situation. For those who suffer from a panic disorder, it comes out of nowhere, leaves you pretty much incapacitated, and then leaves.

Imagine that adrenaline-pumped state of fight or flight because you nearly got into a major accident on the highway or you're running late for your flight and have to practically sprint 30 terminals to make it. Now imagine that all the time, or when you think of something specific (like making a speech), or having it hit you out of nowhere.

That's basically what anxiety feels like.

Each form of an anxiety disorder has different related symptoms, but they all come down to making life miserable, more difficult and potentially even making certain aspects impossible. Someone with an intense enough performance anxiety may, without help, never be able to become that singer they always wanted to be because they can't stop themselves from thinking about the 'worst possible scenario' and then blowing that out of proportion.

With help, that same person may be able to overcome their anxiety.

But how can you tell when you need help? When someone you know needs help? Sometimes, you can't tell. Sometimes, you go your entire life being told you're "overreacting" or that "other people have it worse." You may even know someone who has it worse and devalue your problems all on your own.

Don't do that.

Talk to a professional, even if that professional is your high school counselor. If you're in college, see the doctor or mental health center there. Most campuses have it cheap or, in SHSU's case, free. Talk to them.

If you can't talk to a professional, there are still things you can do for yourself. My favorite method is using a stuffed animal (or just imagining some cute creature) as your anxiety. By calming down this animal, by petting and cooing at it and telling it that everything will be okay, you'll eventually make yourself feel better in the moment. In the long run, it's a good coping mechanism for when things get bad.

If you want something that makes it less common in the future, start a journal or talk to a friend about your thoughts. Figure out what the most common thoughts are, and find ways to think through them. For me, I've become more rational. I've learned how to take myself out of the moment and ask myself, "Is this totally rational?" It doesn't work all the time, and I don't expect it to work for everyone, but something small to teach that little anxious voice in your head that the world isn't always on fire is helpful.

There are ways to get better and help yourself if you can't get professional help, but it's a much more difficult road. Professionals are the best way to do it, but there is hope for everyone, and even if you can't get help now, there's always the future.