I wrote an article earlier this year about living with anxiety. This is how my life has unfolded since, and things I did not mention then.
I am 19, going on 20, going into my junior year of college. Life is pretty stressful, but I know in the end it will all work out.
At any given moment, it is possible to have a panic attack. It could be over something small or something huge, and when it happens, it could be anywhere. I am tired of being labeled the girl who is "insane." Walk in my shoes for a day. See what it is like to just be sitting in bed and get too warm and all of a sudden just start panicking because the room feels like it is closing in. Try being me when that happens.
Support. Support is a major key and I get it from my family and family friends. My best friends are up there, too. There are also those people who become scared of you. Why are you scared of me? Can't you see I can't breathe? I can't just relax, it doesn't work that way. Anxiety just doesn't disappear over night.
What people don't tell you is that just because they are on medicine, panic attacks don't just go away. Thoughts can still consume you. You never know what can happen or when it can happen. You can have a small panic attack and yes, they are scary. But imagine having them almost every single day. There are also periods of intense worry. Imagine trying to go to sleep and everything that's bothering you causes you so much distress that it becomes physical and you loose way too much sleep over it.
It isn't fair that I have to be labeled because of this. I have learned not to care. You want to call me names and make fun of me? Go for it. I am beyond over listening to all of the hurtful words that people have to say to me. If you have to put me down to make yourself feel better that speaks volumes to me.
I am not perfect, but no one is. Before you laugh at someone with anxiety take a walk in their shoes. Try and see what it is like before you label them as "crazy".
I have anxiety. I am not perfect. Before you start judging others who are like myself please think about this article and the words said to me.
