Anxiety needs our strict attention

In the ideal life, we would never have to deal with stress, anxiety, depression or whatever negative feelings come our way. Whether we like it or not, a purposeful life is filled with deadlines, expectations and unfortunate events like let-downs.

But we are problem solvers, so we should stick by America’s “Take a pill” philosophy to negate any problem, right? I don’t believe so (although if someone feels helpless and absolutely needs the help, then who am I to discourage them). 

We need to start asking ourselves if we can solve and deal with our own worries, or if we are just depending on a solution to come from someone else.

 According to childhealthdata.org, anxiety disorders in children and teens rose by 20 percent from 2007-2012. It is a heartbreaking statistic, but we should also know from 2006-2015, pharmaceutical revenue sales increased by $241 billion, according to gao.gov.

These statistics tell me there is money to be made off the feelings of people who are worried. There are many arguments that younger generations are depressed because there is no opportunity to flourish. But I think that we are responsible for all the success and misfortunes that come our way, we just only want the good. 

Why feel anxious about taking responsibility to ensure a bright future when you can instead take a pill and feel nothing?

I don’t think it’s fair to underplay what someone is going through, but literally everyone in the world deals with anxiety. It’s natural for anyone to feel worried about the future, nervous about a situation or any impending sense of doom. If you never felt worried about anything, then I would have a hard time believing you are human.

It is scary thinking about a future where nobody is worried about anything and is instead conveniently happy all the time. Without worry, we would ignore many issues that could use our attention. What would we even accomplish if nobody felt any pressure to achieve anything?

Maybe we should get to know ourselves again and figure out what’s got us worried to the point of prescribing a false solution. Who knows, these anxieties are just the intuition inside us yelling at us to do better. 

I am willing to bet Margaret Hamilton felt all sorts of pressure when writing the code that sent us to the moon. Imagine if instead, she went on Twitter saying, “I just can’t do it, the world is unfair, and I don’t even want to get out of bed”. 

We probably wouldn’t have any great advancements or achievements if the great ones in history didn’t react to their anxious feelings properly.

The feelings we are dealt with are given to us because they make us human, they make us who we are. The impending sense of doom you are feeling is just a feeling, but it’s up to you how you use it.

Will you let this uncertain feeling derail you from becoming better, or will you view it as a roadblock that you are more than capable of getting over?

We all have a story as complicated as the next and the beauty of it all is that you have the chance to make things better for yourself. The easiest and quickest solution won’t get you anywhere, discomfort will. Fight these inner battles and show yourself just how strong you truly are.

I want to conclude this argument by saying that there are many excellent resources for help around you. CSC has four licensed professional counselors on campus who can assist with getting someone the help they need. If you or someone you know is fighting a never-ending struggle, please seek out these resources. 

Lastly, catch up with your friends and even include a stranger in a conversation every chance you get. The world could benefit from us connecting with each other again.