When I first read the article “Living With Social Anxiety Disorder” by Kirstin Fawcett, I thought it was about time someone figured out what the heck it feels like to live with social anxiety. Kirstin refers to Angelo Andreatos who was clinically diagnosed with an anxiety disorder in 2014.  Andreatos describes his anxiety as an extreme sense of fear when it comes to going places where he knows will be highly populated. Angelo described not being able to enter public restrooms and feeling so worried about the unknown that he stayed home most of the time.

Although this may be a valid interpretation of someone’s experience with a social anxiety disorder, I felt a strong reaction to the statements that were made in the article.

I  struggle with social anxiety disorder and have known of my “disorder” since I was in high school. I feel like this article makes others see those with anxiety as people who hide indoors to avoid all the scary aspects of life when my view of this disorder is much different.

I see my social anxiety as something I have to learn to combat. I have certain triggers that bring me to this overwhelming, overthinking state of anxiety. Yet with all the triggers, I have to learn how to just deal with it. In this society those with mental disorders aren’t given a break we are expected to carry on life’s day to day challenges.

If I had to explain anxiety to anyone I would simply say it’s like drowning internally but still keeping a smile on your face so no one knows.