Teagan Hirman – Opinion Columnist
Before you turn the page, pause and breathe. Take a moment out of your busy day to think about the question I am about to ask you. When was the last time you took care of your mental health? Now, let me ask you this, when was the last time you went and saw your GP, your dentist, the eye doctor, or even went to the gym to work out? I can imagine, many of you reading this take excellent care of your physical health. Eating the right foods, exercising, and getting a good night’s sleep (or as much sleep that college will allow) will do great things for your mental health, as well as the physical.
But my big question to you is this, what about your mental health? A year ago, if you were to ask me this question, I would have responded with, ‘I’m fine. Why would I need to see a counselor? There is nothing wrong with me…” There is absolutely nothing wrong with you, but sometimes it’s essential that we have a helping hand when it comes to our mental health and wellbeing.
Anxiety is characterized, according to the American Psychological Association, as follows, “Anxiety is an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts and physical changes like increased blood pressure. People with anxiety disorders usually have recurring intrusive thoughts or concerns. They may avoid certain situations out of worry. They may also have physical symptoms such as sweating, trembling, dizziness or a rapid heartbeat.” Honestly, I didn’t realize for so many years that these symptoms were a result of my anxiety. So, here’s a little story time…
Three years ago, I was diagnosed with anxiety. I was 16 years old, going to my yearly asthma test. Ever since I could remember, I had a hard time breathing while exercising, but I also had a hard time breathing while I was in class, talking with my friends and especially while taking a test. I’ve lived with this notion that I had asthma when in reality, it was severe anxiety. One day, at my doctor ‘s office, I took my yearly asthma test, and my breathing levels were normal. I asked him, “So…what exactly is wrong with me?”
At this point I was muddling through my sentence as tears glided down my pink stained cheeks. His response, though mundane, is something I will never forget, “Have you ever been diagnosed with anxiety?” Just straight to the point. That was the beginning of what might prove to be a lifelong struggle for me as it is for many others. Perhaps you the reader are spending time out of your day reading the words I typed up at three in the morning. My hope is that this might impact your life, even if that impact is small, it’s something.
Just the other day, I was cruising down the halls of Beck with a huge smile on my face feeling ready for whatever the day might bring me. When, all the sudden, my smile was still there, only weighing a little heavier. Masking the fact that my palms are sweating, my heart racing, my mind wandering in endless circles due to the fact that I had an exam in less than five minutes. I like to compare my thoughts to a roller coaster, twisting and turning so fast you barely have time to take a breath and think it through. Eventually the roller coaster slows down, and you have to deal with the adrenaline rush that follows.
My anxiety has never bothered me to the extent where I couldn’t function in my everyday life. It was simply there, and I ignored it, and went on with my day. But there comes a time when all of the ignoring and suppressing catches up with you.
COVID-19 has impacted my life significantly. I think we can all relate to this. For me, my mental health took a turn for the worst. It was as if my anxieties doubled over night and that’s when I developed nightmares and insomnia. Starting therapy was the greatest decision I had ever made. I learned tools that I still apply in my daily life, challenging myself to be social (even though it’s hard and sometimes scary) and reminding myself that it’s ok to feel this way, and, as my mom would say, “It’s ok to give yourself grace.”
College is hard, we all know this, but your mental health doesn’t need to be affected. The Chaplins office and counselors here on campus are always here for you. Asking for help is ok, and you shouldn’t have to feel scared or embarrassed, as I once did. If you’ve made it this far, take a nice long deep breath. I hope you feel so much better. This is a sign if you made it this far to take a nice long deep breath.I bet you feel so much better.