Peace of Mind: Mental Wellness & Anxiety

It should have been another fun day with the people I love most in this world, people who love and support me and make me feel safe.  Instead, my stomach began to hurt and my breathing became labored. I wanted to cry and pass out, so I made my way to the movie theater bathroom to calm down before my family noticed. That was my first panic attack. I was 9-years-old. That initial panic attack led to another, then a third, then they were monthly, then weekly, until finally I couldn’t get through a day without the sick, nauseating feeling of fear and dread that grips me from inside and won’t let go. It was two years before I began to have language to describe what was happening to me. In sixth grade, a concerned friend talked to me and then used the Internet to learn about my symptoms. It was another three years before I received professional help. In ninth grade, I talked to my family about my struggles and they took action. I finally had my answer. I was diagnosed with Panic Disorder, a type of Anxiety Disorder. Speaking up was the beginning of my journey towards living a much happier and healthier life.

You may wonder how I could suffer from anxiety and Panic Disorder for five years without adult intervention. Overlooking anxiety disorders in adolescents and teens isn’t uncommon. Throughout this time, I have been a straight A student, have run track, competed in pageants, engaged in community service, and am a cheerleader. I don’t look or act like the stereotype of someone with a mental health issue, so it was largely unrecognized. In fact, teens are far more likely to accept my diagnosis. Adults tend to dismiss my Panic Disorder. The typical response is that I am too friendly and outgoing to have a mental illness. You may be surprised to learn that according to the US Department of Health and Human Services, 1-in-5 teens has a diagnosable mental health disorder. A 2019 study of data from the 2016 National Survey of Children’s Health found that of individuals ages 18 and under in Alabama, 20% to 27% have a diagnosable mental health disorder, yet 53% to 72% have not received care.  When we narrow the focus to teens and anxiety, data from the National Institute of Mental Health indicates that nearly a third of teens are struggling with anxiety. Now more than ever, we need awareness of this issue. Adults cannot help the children in their lives when they don’t recognize that an issue exists and children can’t speak up if they don’t understand what is happening to them. It is that simple.