Anxiety is a general term for several disorders that cause nervousness, fear, apprehension and worrying.

For you, it may be the feeling that you have before a presentation, or maybe your palms won't stop sweating before a dreaded meeting with your boss. Maybe you're stressed because you've gone overboard during finals week, and your stomach just won't stop churning.

But, sooner or later, your palms stop sweating and that churning in your stomach comes to a halt.

You go back to "normal."

For me, however, anxiety is my shadow. It follows me everywhere, the feeling doesn't just disappear. I know that churning feeling in my stomach all too well, and sweaty palms are just a part of the package. Anxiety is in my day-to-day life. Anxiety is my normal.

At times, I have hated myself for causing my loved ones so much stress and worry. But, my constant angst is without recourse and is out of my control. My anxiety shouldn't be dismissed, it should be understood.

I am not pessimistic. My anxiety does not indicate that I look at life with a glass-half-empty attitude, because I truly do not. I do love my life and am extremely grateful for it. As much as I would love to "live in the moment," I just can't. I wish day in and day out that my mind would quit racing, that I could stop thinking about what went wrong in the past, and what could go wrong in the future.

My worry is never-ending and my mind doesn't stop racing, though. And as agonizing as it is for you, it is more so agonizing for me. Don't tell me how I feel, or how I should feel. Don't dismiss my feelings, nurture them. If I could help you understand my thoughts, I would. But sometimes, I am a prisoner in my own mind.

This is my life.

My anxiety does not define me. I am a unique, fun and loving girl. Some would say that my smile lights up the room, and some even call me "Sunshine," because they choose to see the sun in me rather than the darkness.

So please, I beg you, try to understand my anxiety. Try to see the sun rather than the darkness.

Those with anxiety may be different, but if you try to understand them you'll uncover so many beautiful qualities. We are amazing listeners, which I attribute to our understanding of how valuable a great listener can be. Compassion is our strong suit, and we will always have your back. We are extremely empathetic. We understand that there is a difference between feeling sorry for someone and actually feeling for someone. Our hearts are huge.

My anxiety does not define me. But, my anxiety is a part of me. This is just a thing, another thing that makes me, me. Everyone has a story, and anxiety is a page in mine.

Don't dismiss my anxiety.