Feeling anxious about social situations is simply a reflection of ordinary shyness. It is nothing to worry about. Fact Fiction
1 of 7
Social phobia is a medical disorder that can be associated with significant distress and even occupational and social dysfunction.
PTSD is a normal coping reaction to a traumatic event. Fact Fiction
2 of 7
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.
Avoiding certain situations can prevent panic attacks. Fact Fiction
3 of 7
This may be true in the short-term, but panic attacks can worsen over time without proper treatment.
College students don’t have anything to be anxious about. Fact Fiction
4 of 7
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.
People with OCD are not just detail-oriented. Fact Fiction
5 of 7
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.
Anxiety disorders are not “all in your head.” Fact Fiction
6 of 7
Anxiety can be a real medical condition, developing from a complex set of biological and environmental factors, including genetics, biochemistry and traumatic life events.
Students who experience anxiety can still handle the rigors of college life. Fact Fiction
7 of 7
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.
Click here to find local resources in your community or on your college campus
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
Rich, a student veteran, talks openly about the challenges of adjusting to college life and how civilian students can help ease the transition.
Almost 70% of college students know someone who has served in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Losing her father affects Melissa in unexpected ways, but her honest approach makes it easier to stay healthy.
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?
Yes No
Have you been feeling tired, sad, blue or depressed lately?
Have you noticed recent changes in your behavior, such as sleep pattern, eating habits, mood or interests?
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 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?
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.
Flyin' Get up, stay up with this megamix of feel good videos.
Wound Up Whether you're up or down, slide into this mix of medium sounds.
Bummin' Even bad times need a soundtrack. This one is ours.
www.adaa.org/
www.nami.org
1-800-950-NAMI (6264)
Read More
Their E-Mail Address
Your Name
Message
