Follow an interview with an anonymous GPHS student about their experience living with anxiety and how it has impacted their life and education with this monthly Mental Health Column, conducted by Deenie. Scroll to the bottom for an opportunity to share your mental illness experience for our upcoming issues.
Disclaimer: This article discusses sensitive information regarding mental health that some people may not feel comfortable with reading. Statements made in this article may trigger those faced with the same challenges. However, the goal of this article is to help those who may be struggling.
We all have beautiful stories. This is one of them. Everyone's experiences are different, but your feelings are valid. You are strong, beautiful, amazing, and a person with an interesting story, no matter what it may be.
As cheesy as it sounds, you are truly not alone. There are resources and people who are willing to help you. Please, if you need help, ask. There is no shame in asking for help.
I wanted to do something that might be helpful for The Scroll.
I mainly get really bad stomach cramps and chest pain. Usually, I’ll get cold sweats and shaky hands, but sometimes I’ll feel really hot and I can feel everything (my clothes, how I'm sitting, even how my hair sits on my hair) in vivid detail. It’s like sensing everything for the first time. It’s really intense and uncomfortable. And, of course, my throat will get really tight/dry so it’s hard for me to speak or breathe.
I felt anxious on the way to school every day and was never really able to relax while I was there.
I absolutely hated group work, and classes where communication was a big part of learning (like foreign languages) was always awful. Sometimes, if it was too stressful, I’d just leave class to loiter in the bathroom.
While online learning makes it far more difficult to focus on my work, I am a lot less anxious while in class than I was when we were actually going to school. It’s easier to be around new classmates when I barely have to interact with them.
Starting conversations and maintaining friendships have always been difficult for me. And anything big (like planning for college and my future in general) is so stressful that I’ll just avoid it altogether.
I try to distract myself by being productive, reading, binging shows, and hanging out with friends I’m comfortable with.
It annoys me that some people believe that people with anxiety are just shy or introverted. I’m honestly more of an ambivert, but I present as a huge introvert because my anxiety is so bad. It also bugs me how anxiety is often brushed off as the person being dramatic or just choosing to be difficult. While it is a very common condition, it shouldn’t be treated like it's normal or not extremely difficult to live with.
Oftentimes, the best way to deal with anxiety is to get out of your comfort zone, and try to focus less on yourself and how other people view you. It’s far more important that you like yourself than that anyone else likes you. But it’s also important to listen to your gut, and not push yourself too hard.
Grants Pass High School Has Licensed Therapists:
Kris Stuart- Mental Health Counselor
Mr. Baxter - Options Specialist Counselor
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-8255
They are there to help. If you need it please ask. You do not have to fight this alone.
