Michael: Living with Generalized Anxiety Disorder

• Can you describe what living with anxiety feels like on a daily basis?

  • Depends on the day

  • I experience it on different levels each day

  • I have days where I am completely find, and other days where I feel like it's hard for me to get through anything

  • I get headaches a lot and it really affects my daily life

  • It's hard for me to really get things done productively 

  • Sometimes I will still get nauseous and even have sweaty palms or feet

    
    

2.  Triggers and Patterns

• What are some common triggers or situations that you’ve noticed worsen your symptoms?

  • Sudden schedules change can trigger me 

  • I think having routine is quite important to me, allowing me to plan ahead of time

  • I try to have a predictable daily life

  • I don’t sleep the best, and so sometimes that can be a trigger as well 

  • It can put off my entire day and it gets quite annoying

    
    

3.  Coping Strategies

• What strategies, habits, tools, and lifestyle choices have been most effective in helping you manage your anxiety in your personal and school life?

  • Keeping a routine is probably the most helpful. I try to plan out my days so I know what’s coming. Journaling every night has also become a really important habit it helps me unload everything I’m feeling instead of carrying it to bed. breathing exercises or just taking time alone when I feel overstimulated can help reset things too.

    
    

4.  Support Systems

• How have family, friends, or colleagues supported you in managing your condition? What advice would you give to loved ones supporting someone who suffers with anxiety?

  • I’ve been lucky to have a few close people who really listen and don’t try to fix everything

  • That type of support has helped me the most

  • I think for anyone supporting someone with anxiety, I’d say just listen to them and don’t downplay what they’re going through, and ask how you can help instead of assuming

    
    

5.  Medication and Therapy

• Have you found any particular forms of therapy, medication, or self-help resources to be especially effective? If so, what made them work for you?

  • I currently don’t go to therapy 

  • I have found journaling really helpful and I try to journal every night before I go to bed

6.  Stigma and Misunderstandings

• Have you encountered any misconceptions or stigma about anxiety disorders, and how have you responded to them?

  • Misunderstandings are extremely common, So many people especially high achievers or those from cultures that stigmatize mental health assume they’re just tired or run down. They’ll blame caffeine, sleep, or diet and sure, those can contribute, but they won’t consider stress or anxiety because it feels too vague.