When it comes to anxiety, you can never know enough. Each person and their disorder is different. As for me, I still learn new things about mine each day and I’m sure it will stay that way. Whether it is bad or good things: I learn how to progress, I learn other things that trigger me and I learn about other people who suffer with similar things. It is such a common disorder so like I said before, it is important to still know things about anxiety and what you can do to help. Or even if you do have it, it is still great to learn more. As Mental Health States, “Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental illnesses in America; over 21% of adults (42.5 million) are affected by these debilitating illnesses each year” (MHA).

Learning the true definition to anxiety, and knowing that it is not just a nervous feeling. It is a disorder that affects everyday life and can change someone’s life forever. Constant feelings of being overwhelmed and worrying about every little thing. Especially when it comes to being a student, anxiety plays a huge role in trying to accomplish assignments and studying. Struggling with balancing work, a social life, and studying is a lot to handle for anyone-especially someone with an anxiety disorder. It is important to keep this in mind as a teacher, and as a fellow classmate. As an employer remember to keep an eye out for those with anxiety also.

To help, always remember that every case is different. As I said in my other post, what triggers someone might not trigger someone else. Be aware of what others are comfortable talking about and not. Considering the statistics on how many people are diagnosed with anxiety, it is likely that many people you know have it too. Do not be scared of the topic. Learning about it is the most important part- and that goes both ways. Whether you are the one suffering or the ones around you. Be supportive, and consistent to show you are there for the loved one.

Remember if you suffer with anxiety there are so many things you can do to help yourself. On your own you can use breathing technique’s, exercise, meditate, be around positive influences, write your thoughts, sleep well, and give yourself space to think and evaluate your day to try and better yourself. These are used daily by many people who suffer with anxiety to help them relax and destress. Besides these at home remedies, doctors also can help a lot. They may suggest medication like antidepressants if you are unable to control your anxiety. Therapy or counseling is another suggested resource. This can help with letting out your feelings and getting advice from someone in a different perspective.

Throughout my experiences with anxiety I have learned that I am not the only one, I am actually just 1 in forty million who suffer also. It is comforting to know I have many resources to help me and advice from many others who can relate. I have done so much research and learned about what I can do to help others and even myself. It is easy to forget about others when you are wrapped up in yourself, but I have learned to always be considering of every one else. Now that I am comfortable with my anxiety, I have become a better person. The reasoning for this blog cite is to hope I can help someone else through the eyes of professionals, others, and even myself.

Mental Health America. (2018). Anxiety Disorders. [online] Available at: http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/conditions/anxiety-disorders [Accessed 28 Nov. 2018].

Though there are ways to adjust your lifestyle that will help to relieve your anxiety, there are also medical ways to treat your anxiety or help you cope with it. Seeking a doctor is important if you believe you suffer with anxiety. When you go to a doctor concerning your anxious thoughts, they will often start with an evaluation. A medical article states, “If no other medical culprit can be found and the symptoms seem out of proportion to any situation you are facing, you may be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder” (How). Meaning once they are sure that this feeling you are having is not inflicted by other medications, low blood sugar, heart problems or any other issues you will then be looked at for an anxiety disorder and then deciding which type. If you are anxious about even seeing a doctor then before your visit, I would recommend writing down everything you want to say. Your triggers, how you feel, when this happens, etc. The doctor is there to help and will not judge you. Anxiety is a common disorder so do not feel like you are the only one. The way you feel is important for a doctor to know so that they can find the best way to treat your anxiety.
They may recommend you to start taking a medication. Medication commonly used for anxiety includes antidepressants like Neurontin, Celexa, Prozac, Zoloft and more. These are examples of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. The medicine prescribed to you will depend on your symptoms, how severe and which type of anxiety you have. Doctors usually prescribe medications because they effect the chemicals in your brain. The downfall with medications that help treat anxiety is that they are highly addictive, making it difficult to prescribe. Usually it is prescribed on a short term or as needed basis.
If you or your doctor is uncomfortable with prescribing you with medication, another suggestion is seeking a mental health professional. A therapist or counselor is another form of treatment that works very well. An article about anxiety states, “Counseling can help you learn new ways of thinking, practice positive behaviors, and take active steps to move beyond your symptoms” (Anxiety). Many people, including me, find it very relieving to talk to someone and let your feelings out. Though it can be weird to talk to a stranger about your life at first, in the long run it is a great resource to learn more about yourself. They will give you advice and after learning so much about you they will just be like a friend to you. They are also professionals who know how to help you move forward from any obstacle that comes your way. Personally, therapy is a better option for me because I have anxiety about taking medication. It has taught me to be more comfortable in my own skin and learn more about myself and disorder. Finding what works best for you whether it is a certain medication, therapy, or even both will help you move forward from your anxiety!
WebMD. (2018). Understanding Generalized Anxiety Disorder — Treatment. [online] Available at: https://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/guide/understanding-anxiety-treatment#1 [Accessed 28 Nov. 2018].

Maketheconnection.net. (2018). Anxiety Disorder | Symptoms & Treatment | Military Veterans | Make the Connection. [online] Available at: https://maketheconnection.net/conditions/anxiety-disorder?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=Medicine|4567656202|c&utm_term=%2Bmedication%20%2Bfor%20%2Banxiety|medical%20advice%20on%20anxiety&utm_campaign=Search-Anxiety-BMM|133167245 [Accessed 28 Nov. 2018].

Stress and anxiety reduction tools can differ among every person. As I mentioned in the previous blog, the things that trigger one may not trigger another person. This also relates to the self managing skills; meaning that they differ among everyone as well. There are many ways to relax yourself, so trying a lot of them is the best way to find what works for you. This list is not only to help anxiety and stress, but prevent and stop it in the moment also. These are things that I do to help my anxiety and I hope they can help yours too.

• Breathing techniques like taking slow, deep breathes when feeling nervous can reduce your heart rate and give a feeling of ease. Inhale through your nose, exhale through your mouth.
• Distract yourself. This can prevent you from constantly being worried. Call a friend, bake, or go to a favorite spot. Keeping yourself busy will help keep you from your overthinking.
• Exercise. An article by Christina Desmarais states, “Countless studies prove the myriad health benefits of working out, including recent research that found strengthening your muscles releases enzymes that detoxify a substance called kynurenine, a byproduct of stress and inflammation” (Desmarais). Meaning that scientifically, exercising is beneficial to reducing stress. Go for a run, walk or take a trip to the gym.
• Meditating/yoga for 30 min a day. Calming your mind by focusing on breathing, stretching and relaxing your muscles will help detox the bad energy, even if it is just only for that 30 minutes!
• Spend time around those who make you happy. Negative vibes rub off on everyone around, so if someone in your life is negatively impacting you and your happiness.. Stop being around them! Surround yourself with positive, radiant energy because not only will it rub off on you but also help you forget about your anxious thoughts.
• Write your thoughts. Keep a journal. Keeping your thoughts on paper- whether they are good or bad- can help you reflect. You may notice a habit you have that you want to break. Or notice that you are proud of yourself for doing something. Or writing can just be a form of stress relief.

When it comes to school:

• Make a schedule. Planning your days truly help with that feeling of worry and overload of stress. Use a calendar and/or assignment notebook to track what you should be doing each day.
• Maintain a healthy diet. While stressed, it is easy to forget about your eating habits. Eating well is important because mental health and physical health go hand in hand. Without good physical health, it is hard to have a good mental health.
• Regulate your sleep habits. Being sleep deprived or even getting too much sleep can cause anxiety. Making sure a steady schedule is in place can help with anxious feelings.
• Give yourself alone time. When going from class to class, to busy dining halls/cafeterias is it important to give yourself some space to relax. Go to a lounge, or coffee shop and plug in headphones or watch something you enjoy. I have found that having time alone can give me a clear headspace.

DesMarais, C. (2018). 10 Scientifically Proven Ways to Reduce Your Stress. [online] Inc.com. Available at: https://www.inc.com/christina-desmarais/10-scientifically-proven-ways-to-reduce-your-stress.html [Accessed 28 Nov. 2018].

Anxiety disorders are not just the feeling of being nervous. Many people experience feeling anxious about an interview, or a first date but this disorder is complex, and uncontrollable. If you do not suffer with anxiety it may be hard to understand. Especially if a friend, significant other, or family is diagnosed with anxiety it can be difficult to understand what you can do to help. One important thing to remember is that every person is different, especially when it comes to what triggers them. For example, your loved one may hate when you bring up their disorder- but your mom is very open about hers and talking about it actually makes her feel better. So unless they bring it up, it is better to stay away from the topic. Another important key is to stay calm and do not get frustrated. Since it is uncontrollable, getting frustrated with them will only make them feel worse/more anxious. Also make sure that whoever you are dealing with that suffers with anxiety knows that you are always there for them. Reminding them you are always there to talk can help them feel more confident in talking to you when they are struggling. Some people may like to be alone while enduring anxiety so do not take it to heart if they do not ask for your help; just be there for them if they do! Inviting them to do exciting things and adventuring outdoors can relieve stress and help them feel carefree; even if it is only for an hour! Through all of these do’s and don’ts, always remember to keep whoever suffers with this disease on your mind, whether they distance themselves or not. Anxiety can lead to depression and some may suffer from social anxiety, so wanting to be alone is common. Just make sure that they are aware of your love and concern for them. A great piece of advice I found medically reviewed by Faiq Shaikh M.D states, “You don’t need to change who you are, and the person with anxiety doesn’t want you to change either. You are close for a reason. Be yourself. The fact that you’re looking for what you can do to help this person with anxiety proves that you’re a good influence in their life” (CalmClinic).

What helps me personally is just being around my friends and family. I dislike when people bring it up because it reminds me of being anxious and then it is on my mind. I appreciate the friends that I have who encourage and check up on me, making sure I am always OK. When it comes to school, it makes me feel better to hear “You will do great. And if not it is not the end of the world!” or “I can help you study if you need it.” Being invited to things even if its just studying together or getting food helps prevent feeling lonely. Especially during the whole transition to college. Teachers can help by being aware of the pressure students face and making sure they are available to any extra help.

Being aware of what your friends or family with anxiety may be going through and what you can do to help is important and can make a major impact! Be aware and be helpful.

Shaikh, F. (2018). 12 Do’s and Don’ts of Helping Someone With Anxiety. [online] Calmclinic.com. Available at: https://www.calmclinic.com/anxiety/tips-for-friends-family [Accessed 28 Nov. 2018].

Living with anxiety is like living in constant worry. Worrying about what people will think about how you look. Worrying about if you will say the wrong thing. Thinking that the worst possible scenario will happen at all times. Going for a car ride you might think that there will be a horrible accident, or going on a date you might think that it will go horribly. These thoughts lead people to cancel plans and continue being sad and overthinking, eventually going into depression. Sleep is a struggle because at the late hours, that person with anxiety is overthinking every single thing they did that day. At work you are nervous to have small talk with co-workers. Will you say the wrong thing? Then you may go into complete anxiety and need to leave work, making your boss question your ability to handle a job (once again.) Will the paperwork that your boss wants tomorrow be ready? You do not think it is good enough, so you do not meet the deadline.

Anxiety can be triggered by stress, so it is something many students struggle with. Learn Psychology states, “20% of college students feel stressed most of the time” (Cohen). Being away from home, meeting thousands of new people, finances and exams are all stress factors that students face. Having anxiety in school can prevent students from trying their best, which then leading to depression and loss of motivation.

Personally, I am a college student who suffers with a mild generalized anxiety disorder. Though I do not feel anxious 24/7, things throughout the day can trigger my anxiety. Especially now that I am away I have noticed that busy, stressful days are filled with more anxiety than others. I get anxiety about big tests coming up, parties, and being away from people who are important to me. I worry about what my family is doing, if they do not call. I worry about tests up all the way from when it is announced, until I get my grade. I have noticed I lose sleep because of it, which also affects the performance on my test. When my family does not call, or I miss a call from them I worry that there is something wrong. When it comes to parties I worry that I will say the wrong thing, or something bad will happen there. These are just a few thoughts that go through my head and cause my stomach to drop, and I sometimes physically sweat. There are also days when I feel physically sick because my anxiety is taking over. Since I only have mild anxiety, it is easier to overcome the worrying. I feel lucky that I am able to live most of my life without letting anxiety take over; compared to others who struggle all day every day.

Cohen, M. (2018). Student Stress & Anxiety Guide | LearnPsychology.org. [online] Psychology. Available at: https://www.learnpsychology.org/student-stress-anxiety-guide/ [Accessed 28 Nov. 2018].