Anxiety disorders are not “all in your head.” Fact Fiction
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Anxiety can be a real medical condition, developing from a complex set of biological and environmental factors, including genetics, biochemistry and traumatic life events.
PTSD is a normal coping reaction to a traumatic event. Fact Fiction
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Brain imaging studies show that a part of the brain critical to memory and emotion appears to be different in PTSD. These changes are thought to be responsible for intrusive memories and flashbacks that occur in people with this disorder.
Students who experience anxiety can still handle the rigors of college life. Fact Fiction
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Colleges are designed to be challenging academically, personally, and socially. Some anxiety is a natural by-product of the accelerated pace of learning and growth.
College students don’t have anything to be anxious about. Fact Fiction
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Yes, college is fun and rewarding. It can also be incredibly stressful. You’re dealing with constant evaluation from professors, parental expectations, financial pressure, lack of privacy, serious relationships, the need to make career decisions and more. Recognizing that these feelings are a normal part of the college experience is the first step to dealing with anxiety.
Avoiding certain situations can prevent panic attacks. Fact Fiction
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This may be true in the short-term, but panic attacks can worsen over time without proper treatment.
People with OCD are not just detail-oriented. Fact Fiction
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OCD can be an extremely disabling illness that interferes with work, school and social obligations. A person with OCD knows that their thoughts and behaviors don’t make sense, but are unable to control them.
Feeling anxious about social situations is simply a reflection of ordinary shyness. It is nothing to worry about. Fact Fiction
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Social phobia is a medical disorder that can be associated with significant distress and even occupational and social dysfunction.
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Excessive worry with an inability to control it
Intense episodes of fear or panic
Recurring nightmares
Avoidance of social situations
Difficulty concentrating
Repeated, unwanted thoughts (obsessions)
Sleep disturbances
Upsetting, intrusive memories of a traumatic event
Physical symptoms such as nausea, stomach pain, rapid heart rate, muscle tension, sweating, shaking, dizziness, numbness, or difficulty breathing
Pete Wentz never expected his depression to grow with the success of Fall Out Boy, but it leads him to attempt suicide.
Students who served in the Iraq War speak out about the emotional challenges of adjusting to life back at home and the importance of finding support.
Success and fame unleash the scars of childhood abuse for Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins.
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illnesses in the US.
Anxiety disorders frequently co-occur with depressive disorders, eating disorders, or substance abuse.
Approximately 5-10% of the US population has one or more phobias.
People with phobias, particularly social phobia, may also have problems with substance abuse, and many people with social phobia become so anxious that they experience panic attacks as well.
Approximately 6 to 9 million Americans have obsessive-compulsive disorder; that’s between 2% and 3% of the population.
Panic disorder typically develops in late adolescence or early adulthood, but not everyone who experiences panic attacks will develop panic disorder. Many people have just one attack and never have another.
PTSD flashbacks may be so strong that individuals feel like they are actually re-living the traumatic event.
Have you found yourself in situations where you felt more anxious than usual?
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Have you been feeling tired, sad, blue or depressed lately?
Have you ever felt you should cut down on your use of alcohol or drugs (illegal or prescription)?
Over the last couple of weeks have you had trouble concentrating or felt your thoughts came more slowly or seemed mixed-up?
Have you been having difficulty managing stress in your daily life?
Over the last couple of weeks have you felt badly about yourself, such as thinking that you are a failure of have let someone down?
Have you noticed recent changes in your behavior, such as sleep pattern, eating habits, mood or interests?
Your answers indicate that you may be dealing with one or more problems that you should explore further. Use our anonymous Check Yourself tool to learn more or contact your campus health or counseling center for support.
Your answers indicate that you may not be struggling with the most common student mental health issues. If you're still concerned about recent feelings or behavior, use our anonymous Check Yourself tool to learn more.
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