Ever get that feeling inside where you feel hollow? A feeling of butterflies fluttering in your stomach and you are not sure why...Bead sweats around your brow, and even though you are in a comfortable area that you know, your nerves still feel shot.
You, my lovely, have anxiety.
I know this because I myself have it as well. Granted, I don't suffer from anxiety all the time, but when I do, it down right sucks. Those consistent feelings of worry and needing of self-reassurance make a person feel like they are trapped in their own body, and they are looking for a way to break free. According to WedMD, there are several types of Anxiety:
1. Panic disorder.
"People with this condition have feelings of terror that strike suddenly and repeatedly with no warning. Other symptoms of a panic attack include sweating, chest pain, palpitations (unusually strong or irregular heartbeats), and a feeling of choking. It can feel like you’re having a heart attack or 'going crazy.'" - WebMD. This one would be when one is having a panic attack. So think again before you think someone is overreacting, because this person is having a panic attack, and that is something no one should go through alone.
2. Social anxiety disorder.
"Also called social phobia, this involves overwhelming worry and self-consciousness about everyday social situations. The worry often centers on a fear of being judged by others, or behaving in a way that might cause embarrassment or lead to ridicule." We live in a society where there is a consistency of harsh judgement STILL. Unfortunately, those uncultured swine will never go away, so when you feel or see someone having SAD, you want to be sure to know they are welcome. Ask them to hang out, get pizza, take a walk or whatever they want to do. It costs nothing to treat people with decency.
3. Specific phobias.
"These are intense fears of a specific object or situation, such as heights or flying. The level of fear is usually inappropriate to the situation and may cause you to avoid common, everyday situations." This one is another one that I see a lot, and yet others think that phobias that can be gone within a night. Yes, I can wave my magic wand and BOOM! I am cuddling a spider....
4. Generalized anxiety disorder.
"This is excessive, unrealistic worry and tension, even if there's little or nothing to provoke the anxiety." More often than not, everyone gets anxious or nervous within their life. It is just a factor of life that people feel nervous.
It is completely normal! I have this problem as well, and you know what? I take a minor dosage of sertraline, which helps take the edge off of my anxious behavior. It is something I am no longer afraid of admitting, and if it helps me feel more at ease with myself. Anxiety is not a laughing matter that a person can brush off their shoulders. I see peers at my campus you make fun of anxiety, and yet when they get nervous for an exam, it's ok if they start lashing out?
Think twice before you make a person feel bad for having anxiety. Ask them how they can help and try to be there for support. Once again, it does not cost anything to be a decent human being.
