Everyone experiences anxiety or nervousness in their day-to-day lives. Whether that be a test, going on a first date, or speaking in front of a crowd; you're bound to have a pit in your stomach.

The difference between you and someone with an anxiety disorder is that your pit of anxiety goes away after that situation is over. Ours doesn't; it finds another way to stay in our lives.

So, if you know someone, like me, who has Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), take some time to learn what it's actually like to live this way:

1. We almost always have racing thoughts going through our head, no matter what we are doing.

If we are having a conversation and I seem distracted, its probably because I can only hear what's going on in my head.

2. We dwell on every single situation.

We have a hard time letting things go, so don't get mad if we seem to talk about the same thing over and over.

3. We have a hard time asking for help.

We don't want other people to think we are crazy, so we keep everything inside. We like to look perfect on the outside, but a lot of times, this doesn't correlate with what's on the inside.

4. Just because we are on medication, doesn't mean we are crazy.

No, we are not psychotic. We just need a little extra help to get us through the day.

5. If we cancel plans at the last minute, know it's not you; it's me.

If we say we are tired, honor that and don't ask questions.

6. We don't like it when you invalidate our feelings.

This is another reason why we don't talk about our disorder because everyone else says they have anxiety, too.

7. Being stressed or anxious isn't something to joke about.

This irritates me most because people just simply don't understand what its like to live with anxiety 24/7.

8. Please still be there for us, even if we go AWOL.

When this happens, we isolate ourselves so our feelings don't become "real." Please be patient, and be there for us when we need you.

9. A lot of times, GAD stems from another mental disorder.

GAD is very collaborative with other disorders, such as OCD, eating disorders, and depression.

10. You don't need to tiptoe around us.

We are humans too. Just because we have severe anxiety, doesn't mean that we don't like to have fun.

11. We are creatures of habit.

We don't like new things, so we stick to what is comfortable.

12. A lot of our fears are irrational.

We know this, so you don't need to tell us.

13. Don't joke about having an anxiety attack.

Because you actually have no idea what it's like unless you've had one.

14. If we confide in you about GAD, we trust you with our whole life.

Don't take it for granted.

Anxiety and stress are real for everyone, but some people just need a little extra help in handling it.