It seems like a trend. I have seen it in almost every single one of my Facebook friend’s posts.

I know I don’t know every single one of your individual stories, but I can tell you that not all of you have a medically diagnosed case of anxiety.

The definition of an anxiety disorder is: "a group of mental disorders where they are characterized by significant anxiety and fear." This means that anxiety makes you worry about future events that could take place, your mind makes up all these scenarios but (probably) none of them will ever happen, while the fear is a reaction to current events. With these feelings also come physical symptoms such as fast heart rate and shakiness. In my case, it’s always been nausea, shaking, excessive coughing, and finally, vomiting.

You really don’t want anxiety... trust me, I have it.

I was diagnosed well over a year ago. It was one of the hardest diagnoses I’ve ever been through and the last thing the doctor mentioned was anxiety. In their minds, they thought it was something physical, not mental. The whole diagnosis process took about six months until they figured out it was indeed generalized anxiety disorder. This requires a medical diagnosis, not just your Facebook post saying, "Oh no my anxiety is acting up because of my test tomorrow!!!" I was finally in a place where I felt stable, but not stable enough to be back at 100%.

It also wasn’t over yet. After being diagnosed and on the way to being stable, you first have to go through treatment, which for me was finding the right daily medication - and this can take months. It also doesn’t help that socially, most antidepressants and anxiety medications are shamed. The media has mainly targeted Xanax, one of the most effective medications for anxiety disorders on the market right now. It is shamed as being a street drug. Some people really do need Xanax to help them and it’s unfortunate how this medication and those who use it for the intended purposes are shamed.

I can tell you that to this day, even with my medication, I still have panic attacks and go through all my symptoms.

This might be due to the fact that the medication that really worked for me I ending up developing an allergy too. Medication isn’t the only way; there’s also counseling. I used to do this once a week every week. This isn’t easy, either. I usually left crying or ended up having a panic attack in front of her. It wasn’t pretty. She also mainly suggested simple things to help me feel less anxious, like coloring, keeping my room organized and cleaned, and just having time to sit back and read a book or watch a movie. Don’t get me wrong, these are all wonderful things and I did all of them when my schedule would allow! It did help, but it was also just as tough as my diagnosis process.

So, my main point is that I would like you to step in my shoes for a day with all that I’ve been through.

The feeling after my panic attack is over feels like I’ve just run a 10k - and I’m in no shape to run a 10k. It almost feels like passing out and then picking myself up off the bathroom floor, flushing my vomit down the toilet, then going to the sink to wash up and brush my teeth with the toothbrush and toothpaste I carry in a bag to work. At this point, I’m so physically and mentally exhausted, that lying in bed for the rest of the day sounds good. This isn’t an option, though, I have to go back to work and try to forget what just happened and punch the numbers like the boss man wants.

Just imagine; almost every day is like this.

The fact you have to carry a toothbrush and toothpaste around. The fact something so little could set you off without warning. Just think that this could be you. The whole process could be you, but it’s not. So please, if you don’t have medically diagnosed anxiety, then the next time you say your anxiety is acting up because of whatever reason, maybe instead say, "I’m anxious about 'whatever reason it may be,'" because saying you have anxiety and making it like a fashion statement or trend where everyone must have it is unfair for those of us who do really need the help.