You have all been there for me and I could never thank you enough. I hope you continue to in the years to come because you all help me get better each and every day. But sometimes I don’t think you always understand, so here are some things I want you to know about my anxiety.

I worry about absolutely everything. I don’t try to, I just do. Please reassure that everything is okay. And if it’s not, be honest with me so I don’t worry about it.

I bite my nails. Please tell me to stop, but understand that something is wrong if I’m biting. Fight to figure out what. Don’t let me suffer alone in my thoughts.

Sometimes I take things personal. Ignored messages, snaps posts, etc., intentional or unintentional. I don’t want to feel like I’m a bother to you or that you’re mad at me. If you are, tell me so I don’t agonize over things I may or may not have done wrong.

I’m going to tell you I’m okay. If you know I’m not, please push until I tell you because odds are I’m about to burst into tears and I just want you there.

I over think and analyze every detail. I’m a perfectionist. Little things, the simplest of things, bug me to know end. Instead of yelling at me to stop, please just be patient with me and calm me and assure me things are going to be okay.

Some days I’m not going to want to do anything. I might get so anxious I want to sleep and cry all day. Please don’t yell at me and judge me for that. I need my days to do that sometimes. Instead, let me be or come cry with me so I know I have you my corner always.

Promise me you will never leave when I might get tough to handle. I care too much and that sometimes gets me into situations.

And lastly, I am not depressed. Do not worry about my safety or health. I am okay. I am happy with my life. I am simply over-thinking things, sometimes what feels like against my will. Remind me that everything will work out how it’s supposed to.

To my friends who have stuck by me and never let me down, who have always been there when I needed to cry or talk, who have always encouraged me to keep pushing through my nerves, who have loved me as I am and never lost faith in me, I thank you.