Breaking down the stigma surrounding anxiety in teens

   By Hannah Haslett

 

    Do you ever just feel “off?” Maybe feeling “off” is a gut feeling about something that you think is wrong.

    For me, when I say that I feel “off” I have a huge pit of panic in my stomach and it quickly takes over my whole body.

    Hi, I’m Hannah and I’m a college student who has had anxiety for as long as I can remember. That feeling of being “off” is VERY familiar to me. I have learned SO much about anxiety and I can’t wait to share my tips, tricks, and advice with other teenagers who are experiencing the same thing as me. Yes, it’s important to talk to professionals about mental health, but I have found it very helpful and encouraging to talk to someone who you might find easier to relate to. That’s exactly what I will be doing with this blog.      

                                                                                                                                         

As a current college student, I understand the stresses and complications that come with growing up with anxiety. My anxiety journey started with separation anxiety from my mom. I absolutely hated it when she left me. At this point, we had no idea that this was the start of an anxiety disorder. I started to see a therapist to help with coping mechanisms and finding ways of managing anxiety. I promise you’re not weird for seeing a therapist! Honestly, I think everyone could benefit from it. 

After I was diagnosed with GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder) I felt a sense of relief. Finally, everything that I was feeling made sense. Obviously, the things that caused me to be anxious when I was 8 are a little bit different than what makes me anxious at 18. I have gone from worrying about who I’m going to sit next to on the bus, to constantly thinking about the “what ifs.”  

No matter what your worries are, I’m here to help you navigate your worries (no matter how small) and to assure you that you are not alone!