Getting anxious and having anxiety are two very different things.
Everyone gets anxious from time to time - whether it's a final exam, facing a fear, or stressful life event. Getting anxiety is scary and overwhelming. In fact, people who experience a panic attack for the first time often visit the ER in fear of having a heart attack. Getting anxious for a time happens to most people.
But having anxiety is that anxious feeling all the time. I've described it before as that feeling just as you miss a step on the stairs - when your heart feels like it flew out of your chest and your body is momentarily tense all over - it's sort of like that, but it never fully fades. Having anxiety is constant worry, about everything - about nothing.
Having anxiety is aches and pains from always being tense. Having anxiety is the swelling up in your throat trying, in vain, to keep a panic attack at bay. Having anxiety is migraines and nausea, hyperventilating and panic.
Having anxiety is spending months in bed. Having anxiety is second guessing all close relationships you have. Having anxiety is thinking, maybe, people would be happier without you around.
Having anxiety is avoiding situations, people, or places you once loved because it might trigger a panic attack. Having anxiety is having panic attacks without warning.
Having anxiety is much more than "socially awkward," but rather being genuinely distressed in social situations. Having anxiety is not being able to sleep because of your racing thoughts, or sleeping too much to escape them.
Having anxiety is being aware that you have no need to worry, but being unable to curb that worry. Having anxiety is hard, it's a struggle. Having anxiety is fighting your own mind every day you wake up.
Having anxiety is all this, and still so much more.
Anxiety is a medical condition that has a profound impact on quality of life, and it's well past time we start talking about it as such.
Having anxiety is not cute. Having anxiety is not trendy. Having anxiety is not something you want. It isn't "#relatable."
