According to many, we are living in the age of anxiety, even though it has been around since the beginning of mankind. Before the 21st century, having a mental illness was viewed as a character flaw, when in fact it’s a medical condition caused by biological factors and life experiences. Most people suffering from anxiety are highly misunderstood. They are typically encouraged to think more positively and to stop worrying so much, yet having an anxiety disorder can make those things nearly impossible.
It is not as simple as willing it away. The condition can affect all aspects of an individual’s life. The disorder is not curable, but it can be treated. Unfortunately, many people do not seek treatment because of the stigma tied to anxiety and other disorders. According to Very Well, “being ‘crazy’ or ‘insane’ carries a significant stigma in American culture (think about how often that is used to insult someone), any possibility that (one) could be misunderstood and seen as crazy is significantly threatening.” With that said, I encourage people to use the terms crazy and insane with caution.
People suffering from anxiety are often accused of either exaggerating or faking their condition, and anxiety disorders are extremely down played and not taken seriously. It’s probably because anxiety is used as another word for stress. We will all be anxious in our lifetime, but we will not all have anxiety disorders.
There is an enormous difference between experiencing daily stress and experiencing debilitating anxiety that happens for no logical reason. People with anxiety tend to think that the worst-case scenario is very probable. Many experience a rapid heart rate, trouble breathing, stabbing stomach pains, nausea and headaches among many other symptoms on a regular basis.
Another misconception is that people with mental illnesses can’t have productive professional lives. Scott Stossel is an extremely high-achieving person. He’s the editor of The Atlantic magazine and has authored multiple books. In 2014, his book, My Age of Anxiety: Fear, Hope, Dread, and the Search for Peace of Mind was released. The book not only details anxiety disorders, but also tells of his personal on-going battle with anxiety. Amazingly, none of his co-workers knew what he was going through until after the book was released. Many people with anxiety and other mental illnesses have a fear of being labeled by their illness. I’m not saying that Stossel has that fear, but he does show how well people with related conditions can mask their struggles.
Stossel is not the only high-achieving individual to talk about their mental illness. Recently, actress Kristen Bell has spoke about her battle with depression and anxiety. Another actress, Catherine Zeta-Jones has admitted that she has bipolar disorder, along with singer songwriter Demi Lovato. Multi-billionaire Ted Turner, who founded CNN and owns the Atlanta Braves, has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. John Nash, Nobel Prize Winner for his contributions to economic sciences, was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. All of these people are extremely productive and successful, despite their illnesses. On college campuses and in the professional world, we need to have a more open conversation. People diagnosed with anxiety disorders and other mental illnesses can contribute to society and should not be defined by their illness.
Preston Eagan is a sophomore majoring in accounting. His column runs biweekly.
