Searcy, Ark., (LP) — Anxiety, or extreme worry, is a normal reaction to stressful situations. But in some cases, it becomes overwhelming and can cause sufferers of anxiety to dread everyday situations. Anxiety disorders are mental health conditions that involve large amounts of anxiety, fear, nervousness, worry, and depression. Anxiety that is too constant or too intense can cause a person to feel overwhelmed, tense all the time, and always on alert.
Anxiety disorders are most common in teens today. Most adults deal with it still, on a daily basis.

Claire Holden, citizen of Searcy, deals with her anxiety every day. Claire states, “It makes life harder in a lot of different ways including: school, relationships, and everyday tasks.” Anxiety forms you into a different person in many ways. It makes you overreact in small situations and expect the worst to happen. Claire stated, “Anxiety basically just takes your feelings and doubles them by 100 is what it feels like.” Claire got diagnosed with anxiety two and a half years ago when her mom passed away. She deals with anxiety and it’s different troubles on a daily basis but still works extremely hard and copes with how it has shaped her into a better person that she is today.

Teens dealing with anxiety is a lot more common than you think. Many teens find different ways to cope with the high anxiety they feel. It’s important to recognize your emotions, to know what you’re feeling and why you’re feeling that way. Recognizing the types of situations that cause your anxiety is helpful as well. Sometimes just admitting that a situation is stressful and being prepared to deal with it can reduce your anxiety.Conlie McCoy resident of Searcy, has dealt with her anxiety since the 9th grade. She states, “It has changed my outlook on life and my feelings.” She believes even though having anxiety is difficult, it has made her believe in herself more and has made her stronger than she’s ever been.

There are many ways to cope with anxiety. One of them being anxiety medication. Many teens today take this medication daily. It’s just another part of their daily routine. In many situations this medicine helps them cope with there anxiety disorder, but in other situations it only makes them feel worse. Anxiety takes a big toll on teens, more than you think. Anxiety continues to spread and become a bigger issue in society to this day.