Anxiety is a mental disorder that many people struggle with today, but many do not understand the impact it has on someone who deals with it. Some people think it is something you can just turn off, like a light switch. Some people think it is just a lot of worrying, overreacting, and over-dramatizing every situation. It is something way more than that and I want to show you what living with anxiety is really like.

It is being in a state of constant worry, where you automatically assume the worst in every situation. You are convinced something awful is going to happen to you, or a loved one, and there is nothing you can do about it.

It is an ongoing battle with the person you want to be and the person you are when anxiety takes over. You want to go out, have fun, and be exciting, but most of the time your anxiety puts up a wall. You can't enjoy anything you want to because of thinking about the what-if's and what could possibly go wrong.

It is leaving parties or get-together's early because suddenly something is off and you have no clue why.

It is randomly bursting into tears and trying to figure out why you are upset in the first place.

It is not talking to people for days because you have persuaded yourself that you are a bother to them.

It's always being paranoid about how people see you and what they see.

It's having an anxiety attack, where you heart races, you feel like you can't breathe, and you feel out of control of your body. This may happen over something small, or even because you made up an impossible situation and are sure it will happen. It could also be over something big, like finally breaking down over a situation you have been stressing about for a long time. Honestly, you just never know when it will take over.

It is random chest pains (or body pains) from all of the stress and anxiety attacks.

It's never going anywhere alone out of fear of what will happen or what people will think of you.

It's having a short temper most days because you're dealing with too much. You're mind is always running a million miles per hour with anything and everything that could happen in your life.

It's learning to control your thoughts and actions caused by your symptoms. Learning to cope with your struggles and be yourself through it all.

It's trying so hard to cover all of these things up. Trying to convince yourself that anxiety is part of who you are, but not who you are.

If someone in your life is dealing with anxiety, then try to keep in mind the everyday obstacles they face. They do not enjoy having it around and all of the things that follow with it, so be patient with them. All they need is your support and help through it.

If you have anxiety and can relate to this article, then just know it will get better. Always look forward and don't let your anxiety take over who you are. Most importantly, be aware of it and don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it. You're strong and you've got this!