Sometimes we all skip out on things we don’t like. How is that relevant to anxiety? Very! Learn why avoidance may be the most important thing you’re overlooking to improve your anxiety.
We all try to get more of the things we like and less of the things we don’t. People of any age do this, and so do animals — it’s universal.
[Read more…]If you’re wondering whether your anxiety has been leading to panic attacks, read on to learn how to tell — and how to get help.
Alyssa is a high school senior and member of her school’s cheerleading team. She has never had a panic attack. When lifted into the air by her teammates during practice one day, she suddenly feels very dizzy. She fears that she is going to crash to the ground. She yells to her teammates to put her down. When they do, Alyssa begins shaking, hyperventilating, and notices her heart is racing. She tells her coach she thinks there is something wrong with her and runs, terrified, to the nurse’s office. After about ten minutes, she feels better and returns to her team. However, she refuses to be lifted into the air again.
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Homecoming, senior prom, graduation — these are the common high school milestones that teens look forward to and remember fondly for years to come. However, not all highlights from high school are marked with such excitement and positive emotions. The SATs, ACTs, AP exams, and other high stakes tests are a rite of passage for most students. Unfortunately, they are often marked with nerves, distress, and trepidation. Although few students enjoy these crucial exams, for some, the nervousness transcends the usual test day jitters. These students experience a more intense form of fear known as test anxiety.
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