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].
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