What if they don’t like me? What would happen to me if I failed this exam? What if I get fired? What if I am not cut out for this career path? What if, what if, what if… this is constant questioning and uncertainty running through the mind of a person with an anxiety disorder.
Anxiety is the number one mental illness among college students, according to the American Psychological Association; approximately 41.6 percent suffer from anxiety. I am one of these students.
I have had anxiety for what feels like forever. What started out as minor worries related to socializing with others or talking in front of an audience when I was younger has gradually progressed into a worry so heavy and burdensome that it feels like the world is going to end. This constant presence of worry in my life has affected my relationships with others, my confidence in myself, and my physical wellbeing.
Getting along with family and friends is hard for me sometimes, especially when those around me don’t seem to fully understand what exactly I am going through. In addition, knowing that there is something about me that I know is harming myself and hurting those around me makes it difficult for me to find the self-esteem and self-compassion everyone deserves. Sometimes, it feels like my insides are twisted into knots, like the breath in my lungs is being compressed, and like I can’t even think straight. Can you relate? If so, please know that you’re not alone.
There is something about being diagnosed with a mental illness that brought about a lot of pain and shame into my life. While I knew the level of stress I constantly felt wasn’t normal, having it confirmed by a variety of health professionals made it real. It has taken me a very long time to realize that so many others suffer from a lot of the same things I do. Anxiety may be hardwired into my brain, but that doesn’t mean I am lesser than those who are able to approach life’s situations with a much sounder mind.
I fully admit I haven’t always been at the top of my game when it comes to taking care of my mental health. Just like any other illness, anxiety can be managed. Yes, those of us who suffer with anxiety may never be able to make it go away completely, but there are many ways that we are able to learn to cope with it and rise above it, rather than let it break us down.
While I am not an expert on this topic, I have attempted many different things to try to alleviate some of the stress and tension caused by my anxiety. I thought I would share the things that I’ve tried that help with my anxiety; however, remember that everyone is different. Some of the things that worked for me, may not work for you. Nonetheless, it doesn’t hurt to give new strategies a try!
1. Find a counselor that works for you
It may be overwhelming and sometimes intimidating to confide in a new counselor, but believe me, it is worth it. You may have to go through a few counselors before finding one of that works for you, as there are counselors of many specialties and backgrounds. Once you find the perfect fit, you will see great improvement with your anxiety.
2. Try out group-counseling at the HCC
Before coming to DU, I had never really heard of group-counseling before. But when I saw that the Health and Counseling Center offered a group called ACT designed to help those with anxiety and depression manage their mental illness, I signed up and ended up loving it! Group-counseling is great for those who feel uncomfortable talking one-on-one with a counselor, or it can just be an additional form of support to try out even if you already see a counselor. Stop by the HCC for a brochure or visit their website to see all the groups offered Spring Quarter and try one out! If you don’t like it, you are never forced to continue attending.
3. Read books about what you’re going through
If you’re a reader, this option is a fantastic way to find the help you need. There are tons of books out there written by researchers and experts on anxiety that give advice on so many topics. If you’re unsure where to begin, ask a counselor about authors or specific books they have heard of; it’s part of their job.
4. Try to keep a journal
I know, journaling isn’t for everyone. However, journaling doesn’t always have to be “Dear Diary” style. There are tons of interactive journals that can be very simple. My favorite one that I have tried so far is the “Present Not Perfect” journal written by Aimee Chase. There are a variety of prompts to help ground you and help you to think about your worries. Plus, there are a lot of cute drawings to look at. Amazon offers many journal options for great prices, and they may be just what you need to take a breather in the morning or right before you go to bed.
5. Set a time aside each day to do something you love
College life can be very overwhelming, and it is easy to get caught up in schoolwork, a regular job, and extracurricular activities, while trying to balance a social life. It is never good to blow any of those things off, but it is okay to let yourself relax. If you are an artist, give yourself some time to just focus on art. If you are a bookworm, read a couple of chapters of that book. Whatever it may be, if you love doing it and it relaxes you, do it!
6. See your doctor if you feel your anxiety is getting out of control
We all have a little anxiety here and there, since life can easily get stressful. But, if you feel that your anxiety is interfering with your ability to perform well in school, communicate with those you love, or simply enjoy your life, talk to your doctor about it. Sometimes, medicine can be a great blessing if you are diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. Not only that, but your doctor can give you tips on managing your anxiety and help ease some of the health-related problems that come with it by recommending foods to add to your diet or vitamins to take.
Strategies to help anxiety certainly aren’t limited to this list. These are just a few things I have tried that have greatly helped me in my mental health battle. Relief from anxiety doesn’t come easily, but it certainly will not get better if you don’t seek out help. Just because one strategy isn’t working, doesn’t mean another won’t work either. Those with anxiety disorders may never find full relief from their anxiety, but I will tell you, life gets a whole lot better when you find one or two strategies that seem to help you!