Have you ever noticed the amount of anxiety floating around in the world?
Personally, anxiety has taken hold of my life on more than one occasion, but I've noticed that even as I cope with my anxiety others are falling victim to it. It's human nature to get anxious before first days, important events, or when things just aren't going your way.
However, there's a growing number of young adults who experience anxiety in their day to day lives. So, what's the cause to this growing "anxiety epidemic?"
I often wonder what causes my anxiety, and how that relates to others. Of course, I'm no doctor, but as someone who struggles with anxiety I wonder what makes my anxiety run. What does it fuel from?
One moment I could be laughing up a storm, and the next I get this overwhelming feeling of dissociation. Things escalated quicker than a Kevin Hart movie, and not in a good way. My normal moments were bombarded with breakdowns, anxiety rashes, and the constant desire to cry, but why?
Is this generation focusing too much on the bad part of life? Are we easily bothered? Has entitlement and privilege weakened our mental strength? Or is the world really just that scary?
According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, 40 million adults, aged 18 and older, are affected by anxiety PER YEAR. The most common is Generalized Anxiety Disorder, although Social Anxiety is very common in young adults as well. Even still, no one is really sure why these statistics are so high?
What's it like living with anxiety?
Being a young adult with a mild case of Generalized Anxiety Disorder isn't easy. An overwhelming amount of school work, or the slightest change in my day could spur a day full of stress. You expect the, "Are you okay?", "Is this one of your days?", or "Are you sick?" questions.
You settle into the idea that your face will probably never clear up because all you do is worry and eat junk food, and as a girl you always wonder if your anxiety disorder will keep you from having kids.
Personally, I think every thing that goes wrong is my fault. If you ask to ask me a question before asking me the question, I'm liable to start worrying. Also, don't expect me to talk about what's wrong because often times talking about my worries makes me susceptible to a cry fest.
You learn to cry, and appreciate the three different types of tears used to help you heal. It's not odd to lose your appetite, or go a day or two without eating. The spontaneous idea of throwing up isn't crazy, and it no longer worries you because this has become your life. You hide behind your bedroom door and cry in private, or you act all fine in public. Relationships are hard, maintaining trust is hard, but even more surrendering to God is hard.
Anxiety makes you question everything you know. I know that my God has me in His hands. I know that He has planned my life, my obstacles, my words before I could have even fathomed the idea of them. I know when I cry He catches my tears, and holds my hand. Anxiety is not of Him, and falling victim to it is not what He wants. Our God wants us to live loved, and joyful. He wants us to run into His arms instead of the fears of the world.
Philippians 4:6 says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition."
Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to you a future and a hope."
Psalm 18:6 says, "In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears."
These disorders tell us we are NOTHING. They tell us we are BROKEN, UNLOVABLE, INCAPABLE, MESS UPS.
This world tells us that we are UNSAFE. It tells us we are HELPLESS. STUCK. PERPETUALLY LOST.
But our God, He tells us we are loved. He tells us we are good. He shows us that we are worthy. He proves that we can be fixed. He reminds us that WE ARE NOT ALONE.
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:28
Be still my friends. If you suffer from anxiety you are not alone. You are not broken, but you are loved. If you or someone you know suffers from anxiety please talk to someone. A therapist, a doctor, your family, but most importantly God. There are treatments and ways to a better life.
