You know that feeling you get when you do something you know you're not supposed to? Such as going somewhere you're not allowed to or drinking alcohol when you're not 21? It's a feeling everyone gets once in awhile, but for some lucky people, that feeling never leaves. It's a constant feeling in your stomach because your mind is never at ease. Your mind is racing with horrible and terrifying thoughts, like, what am I going to do when my mother dies or what happens if the world was hit by a meteor, right now?
For people with advanced anxiety, like me, these thoughts run through our heads every second of the day. How can someone live with that deep, crippling fear swimming around their mind every second of every day? That's the thing. Those people aren't living; they're functioning.
Those people go about their regular routines still breathing, eating, drinking, and doing everything humans do, except live their lives. They sit at home instead of going to the bar with their friends. They stay home from school because there's a storm, and they're afraid that it's the end of the world. They'll go to the beach with their friends, then ruin the trip because they need to go home because they are having a panic attack.
Most people with anxiety don't look any different from you, who go your life without a care in the world. So when someone starts to panic, don't yell at them to get over it. It's simply not that easy for them. When someone is in bed, more than out doing things, don't call them lazy. Instead, ask them if they are feeling OK. Rather than judging someone when they have a panic attack, sit and talk to them. Most likely, all they need is for someone to listen.
Anxiety isn't something to play around with. If you have crippling anxiety, go get help. There are doctors who can help you so your anxiety doesn't control your life. Don't be ashamed of your anxiety and don't let it control you. You're bigger than your fears, and you can do anything you put your mind to.
