Anxiety is the most common mental disorder in the US and affects one in three adolescents and adults. Experiencing anxiety from time to time is normal and doesn't always mean that you have an anxiety disorder. Anxiety is a feeling of worry, nervousness, or apprehension that something bad is going to happen. Anxiety disorders, though, are intense and excessive worry or fear about everyday situations. Oftentimes, anxiety disorders have repeated episodes of sudden feelings of panic, fear, or terror that reach a peak in minutes which can result in panic attacks. There are over 10 anxiety disorders including social anxiety, separation anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, and panic disorder.

Treatments

There are a lot of different ways that anxiety is treated.  Some you can do yourself and others with the help of professionals. Many people with anxiety don't seek help because it is common, but if you don't get treatment it can result in further health problems. Anxiety disorders are highly treatable, and according to the Mayo Clinic "it can take some trial and error but over half of the patients who seek treatment respond to therapy." Psychotherapy or "talk therapy" is one of the more popular treatment options. Psychotherapy involves working with a trained mental health professional to treat your anxiety through a variety of methods. Therapy can also be paired with medication. Help for anxiety disorders can even be found at West! You can talk to school counselors, and they can help you figure out some healthy coping mechanisms like breathwork and other calming techniques. It's important to find a variety of convenient ways to cope that you can use in any situation. 

Some healthy coping mechanisms can be found here: http://www.mindwise.org/ACT