A few months ago, I wrote an article about what it's like to be a sufferer from an anxiety disorder. You can find and read that article here. I never knew that it would reach out to as many people as it did. As I read the comments on the article from people all over the world, I kept seeing a lot of the same stuff. Here's what I want you to understand about your own disorder:

Don't ever let it define who you are. I was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder two years ago. After being diagnosed, I refused medication. I wanted to fight the battle on my own, so I looked for help by talking with a therapist. She worked wonders in helping me explore different ways to channel my feelings and anxiety. The biggest coping mechanism I found to help me manage my anxiety is by writing. I wrote that anxiety article while I was having an anxiety attack, actually.

Many people are diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. Those that don't understand that there's a difference between having anxiety and having an anxiety disorder will try to tell you that they're both the same. Wrong. Everyone experiences anxiety in their life. Whether it's a huge test that you haven't studied for, a job promotion or the death of a family member, everyone is prone to experience anxiety towards those situations. What differentiates regular anxiety from an anxiety disorder is the chemical imbalance in your brain. It's not something we sufferers just make up so that people will have pity on us. It's a legit problem.

If you have an anxiety disorder, don't expect others to pity you. That may sound a little contradictory to my other article, but it needs to be made clear. You have to understand that you do have an illness, but you still need to try to stand on your own two feet.

I made reference to those we love about being there for us when we have an attack. That doesn't mean we're trying to place the burden on you. It means to be patient and don't get so frustrated with us. This disorder is an enemy. It keeps us from functioning normally in our day to day lives. Although it's hard on you to be someone that loves someone else that has an anxiety disorder, understand that it's even harder on that person. Until you're truly able to walk in their shoes, please don't expect 100 percent normalcy from that person.

Don't use your own disorder as an excuse. Get up and try to make the most of your life anyways. Not everyone needs medication. You have the right to refuse medication. You have the right to try to battle it on your own. However, if you choose medication, that doesn't make you less of a person. No one has the right to talk down on anyone that has chosen medication for treatment. As long as they're not abusing the medication, then there's nothing wrong with it. But do understand that you don't have to be, and shouldn't be, dependent on the medication.

You have to be proactive in combating your anxiety disorder. Whatever your disorder may be, if you want to overcome it, then you have to be proactive in your battle. You can't expect things to get better by just sitting there and complaining about them. The options that you can choose to combat it are limitless. Pick a hobby, or even go to a quiet place and relax, but do something about it.

Whatever anxiety disorder you may have, it doesn't make you any less of a person, and it doesn't and shouldn't define you. You were made unique just as everyone else. Get up and be proactive with your life and know that there are others out there suffering from the same disorder as you. You are not alone in this battle, my love.