There is a large spectrum of anxiety, from minor to intense, but no matter what intensity, anxiety is not easy to live with. Having anxiety impacts nearly every part of a person's day, whether they realize it or not. It's when you start overthinking every single spoken or written word, it's bombing exams because the fear of failing overtakes you, it's losing relationships because without loving yourself, it feels impossible to love another.
To put it bluntly, anxiety sucks, but it does not lessen your worth.
Anxiety is not something easily identifiable to the human eye. It takes trust to tell another that you are diagnosed with anxiety. It also takes even more trust to tell that same person that you're on medication for your anxiety.
Anxiety is not something that can just "go away." It is something that fades, and unfortunately most likely will come back. In fact, relapse is almost more terrifying than the initial diagnosis. You know something is wrong, but you don't want to admit it. You don't want to admit that you're right back where you started.
Panic attacks are the absolute worse. You know that no matter what you're getting upset over is most likely not worth it, but to you, it is. You start shaking, your breathing starts getting shorter and you can't get a full breath. The tears come faster and harder, your head starts pounding because the tears and rapid breathing is too much for you. You can't help but curl into a ball, unable to open up to the world. You start having flashbacks to your previous panic attacks and why they happened, and they make you worry even more. Eventually, you calm down. It may be in five minutes, it may be thirty minutes, it may be longer. Eventually, you come back around. Then finally, you can breathe and see clearly again. But, that does not stop the fear that there may be another panic attack right around the corner.
Anxiety is not an easy thing to live with. But, it's not impossible to live with either. It is manageable, with some practice. You can learn how to relax. Find something to distract yourself, whether it be Netflix or working out, maybe it's even taking a nap. Find something to distract yourself and put your whole life into perspective.
That job you just lost?
It's not worth as much as your college education.
Now, that test you just failed?
That's more important than a job.
Good grades can earn scholarships, those scholarships pay for school, a part-time job can only get you so far. Have friends that flaked out on you?
If they were true friends, they'd be there for you. You're going to lose people through your life, and that's okay. They had their purpose, but now it's time to move forward and find your own purpose.
You'll meet people who truly love you and care for you and support you; those are the ones you want around.
Take it from me; anxiety sucks. But, it's not impossible to live with. You got this. Keep calm and carry on.