14 Things I Want My Teachers To Know About My Anxiety

1. I don't get to choose when I have anxiety and when I don't.
Anxiety does not have and on and off switch, even though I wish it did. I am not always in control.

 
2. I know it can be a hassle for you.

 I am fully aware that my anxiety is annoying. I also don't blame you for being annoyed by it.

3. If it is a hassle to you, please try to remember that it is even more of a hassle for me.

Yes, it is annoying and hard to deal with, but remember you have to deal with only what you can see, whereas I deal with what you can't see, which always worse.

4. What helps one day, might not help the next.

 Just because it worked to listen to music yesterday, it doesn't mean that will work today.

5. I don't always know why I am anxious.

 After awhile, there are so many thoughts racing through my head that I don't even know why I am anxious anymore. Sometimes I might have a panic attack for no reason.

6. If I say I'm okay, I'm probably not.

7. When I give up, I am at a very low point.

 There does become a point when I need stop. Please respect it. You don't know the pain that is within me.

8. I am not trying to use my anxiety as an excuse to get out of everything.

Anxiety is not like crutches, it is more like a jail cell. I might have the keys to get out of it, but I might not know how to use them, or might need help using them.

9. I don't know how to ask for help.

 And just because you ask me if I need help, it doesn't mean I'll know what to ask.

10. Yes, I know I am always tired. Don't suggest I should try going to bed earlier. 

 Anxiety affects sleep. Anxiety makes it hard to fall asleep and stay asleep.

11. I have no confidence in myself.

 This makes it hard to do things where I have to suggest my own opinion.

12. I am terrified of being wrong.

Even the simplest question is kicks off anxiety


13. You probably don't understand. So don't tell me you do.

 Anxiety is the type of thing where unless you have been diagnosed or suffered with anxiety 5 days a week for over 6 months, you don't know anxiety. You just don't. It is different than being afraid. It is different from that one time you were really stressed. It is hard to explain.

14. I want to get better. And I am trying. I am always trying, whether you think that or not.