A Disorder vs A Feeling: The Difference
By: Carlye Maita
Everyone will face a feeling of anxiety at some point in their lifetime. The nervous jitters before a final presentation, sweaty palms before a first date, or the lump that manifests in your throat as you walk into an interview—these are all common, and may I stress normal, reactions to stressful situations. It is natural for a person to react in a certain way following a nerve-wracking situation. These physical reactions are standard “feelings” to the body going through tension. However, if someone experiences these effects while doing routine activities, it may be time to reassess one’s mental health.
Mental health disorders, especially generalized anxiety and depression, have been normalized over the past decade. This is, thankfully, a result of people becoming more open about sharing their stories. As someone who has been suffering from anxiety and depression for ten years now, I have encountered many people who empathize with the daily struggles of this disorder. I have also faced many who don’t know the difference between a feeling and a disorder.
Many times I have had friends come up to me and say, “Oh my god, I literally had a panic attack during that test,” or “I lost my wallet and almost died from anxiety.” While they probably were stressed in both situations, neither instances involved dangerous levels of anxiety to provoke an actual panic attack. Someone who experiences anxiety more often than not, especially during everyday situations, may be diagnosed as having generalized anxiety. The emotional and physical symptoms of an anxiety disorder according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) include:
Feelings of apprehension or dread
Feeling tense and jumpy
Restlessness or irritability
Anticipating the worst and being watchful for signs of danger
Pounding or racing heart and shortness of breath
Upset stomach
Sweating, tremors and twitches
Headaches, fatigue and insomnia
Upset stomach, frequent urination or diarrhea
In today’s world, we are seeing several instances of anxiety disorders, specifically in individuals aging from 18-29 years old, according to the same NIMH study. Numerous people may not understand how to support a friend with generalized anxiety, which is completely understandable as many are not educated on this disorder. Even if you do not experience anxiety yourself, it is important to be mindful and considerate to the millions of people who are battling with this disorder.
First thing’s first - never assume that you know exactly what a person is feeling or going through. If your friend is having an anxiety attack about a fight he got into with one of his friends, he may deal with it by hyperventilating or crying. Try your best to console and calm him down. Someone who doesn’t experience high levels of anxiety might think he is overreacting, but it is crucial to remember that this anxious behavior is often out of their control. Secondly, always acknowledge someone’s feelings and struggles. Reiterate to that person that you will constantly support them to find a place of tranquility. These small acts of reassurance and comfort can benefit someone’s life and lead them towards learning how to cope with their anxiety.
If you leave with anything, leave with this: you don’t know until you know. You won’t actually know what someone who has an anxiety disorder is feeling until you experience it for yourself. There is nothing more helpful than the love and support of loved ones, making it even more vital to have conversations about mental illness. Educating yourself on issues of mental health is paramount to combating negative stigma that is pervasive in our communities, which can help people who struggle with anxiety and depression on Villanova’s campus and beyond.
