Yes, Anxiety Is A Crippling Disease, No Not Everyone Has It | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Yes, Anxiety Is A Crippling Disease, No Not Everyone Has It

But, yes, everyone gets anxious. There's a difference.

966
Yes, Anxiety Is A Crippling Disease, No Not Everyone Has It
Scientific American

In the era of social media, we are typically not surprised to see or hear something that is not true but passed around frequently; like when someone says you only utilize ten percent of your brain at once… seriously?This is not true people.

However, other misconceptions may have a more detrimental effect.

I have been suffering from anxiety for a good portion of my life. When I was a little younger, I didn’t understand my emotions or why I was so different from others. I couldn’t socialize the way everyone else did, and I was constantly nervous. My body would always feel tense like when you’re standing outside in cold weather wearing just a sweater, so you try to shrink your body inward as much as possible.

I always tried to play it off like a joke because if I didn’t take it seriously, maybe it wouldn’t be so serious right? Wrong.

When I entered college as a freshman, my anxiety was at an all-time high. After I became a part of Active Minds, I really started to learn about anxiety disorder and the stigma attached to it. I started to understand the way people perceived me, and I started to understand how wrong it was.

People are so quick to say things like “everybody has anxiety.”

Now a comment like this only makes someone feel one hundred times worse. This comment is insinuating that you are not strong enough to cope with everyday life the way others are, and completely ignoring the biological explanation. Between the lines, this comment says “stop whining about your anxiety and deal with it like everyone else.”

But there is a clear difference in which people need to understand and be sensitive towards.

Everybody does not have anxiety. Everybody gets anxious. Big difference.

Right before you present a project to a round table of executives who decide if you get a raise, your hands are shaking and your mouth gets dry. You feel anxious.

You went out on a limb and applied to a job you would love to have, but may not have all the qualifications for, and you’re awaiting a response. You feel anxious.

However, you do not wake up wondering who it is you’re going to be today.

Am I going to be happy? Sad? Irritable?

You do not cry into your pillow at 2 a.m. because you’re feeling worthless for no apparent reason. You do not talk yourself through making conversation with people before the interaction actually begins. You do not collapse into anxiety attacks every other day, where you feel catching your breath will be impossible.

These are a few of the things I deal with from having an anxiety disorder. Not everyone around me will understand, and I do not expect them to. I only ask for people to push pass the ignorance and stigma regarding mental illnesses especially a more common disorder like anxiety.

Just because it is more common and undetectable, does not mean everyone has it.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

133231
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

31053
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

28517
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments