There is no doubt that many students feel stressed from time to time, but some are plagued with an overwhelming amount of anxiety, characterized as a disorder that can be strong enough to interfere with daily activities. The stress we face daily is associated with frustration and nervousness and generally the cause is easy to identify. However, with anxiety it is harder to determine the cause as it comes from a place of fear and self-doubt.

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental disorders experienced by Americans, affecting 25.1 percent of 13 to 18-year-olds. People with anxiety can be afflicted with many symptoms such as irritability, fear, insomnia, poor concentration, trembling, nausea and more. They can also co-occur with depression, eating disorders or ADHD.

From personal experience, it can be tough to live with anxiety. Growing up I was always over thinking situations and worried about approval from others. It wasn’t until middle school when my constant fears affected my school performance and social life.

Missing school became a recurring issue, causing me to fall behind and panic even more. In addition to not wanting to leave my room, panic attacks were common and everyday seemed as if I was a prisoner in my own head.

It started defining who I was; becoming a part of me and I couldn’t run from it. Anxiety feels like being trapped in a room with hundreds of alarm clocks going off on full volume at once, and there’s nothing you can do to make them stop.

Medications and therapy are available to help decrease symptoms and improve functionality.  

However most teens with anxiety are not getting the help or treatment they need in order to learn how to cope. This can be due to fear of being judged or having their feelings become trivialized which can cause the situation to build up.

If you struggle with anxiety it is important to recognize the situations that cause it and make sure you have someone you are able to talk to about it. As for friends and family of the person struggling with the disorder, listening and acknowledging their feelings is a crucial part of helping them cope as it sends the message that people care about them.

Sincerely,

Sydney

This column was originally published Dec. 1, 2016.