We Are More Than The Doctor's Paper

2-Anxiety Disorder

A mental illness that causes people to respond to certain objects or situations with fear and dread, as well as with physical signs or anxiety or panic. Those diagnosed are diagnosed if the person's response is not appropriate to situation, they cannot control response, or anxiety interferes with normal functions. (www.webmd.com/mental-health/mental-health-types-illness#1)

Those with an Anxiety Disorder may experience feelings of panic, problems sleeping, shortness of breath, heart palpitations (strong or irregular), can't stay still, dry mouth, nausea, muscle tension, dizziness along with many other symptoms.

1.5% ( about 3.3 million) of people in the U.S. 18 years and older have an anxiety disorder according to https://www.adaa.org/about-adaa/press-room/facts-statistics

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Hey, the name's Flynn Reed. I'm one of the patients here at Briarcliff Manor. I know how can someone as calm as myself be in a place like this? Well, the medication is keeping me this way. I am an eighteen year old with an anxiety disorder. The doctor's diagnosed me with it about five years ago. My step-mother had me checked out when I didn't respond correctly to my older sister fainting in front of me. Instead of calling for help I started rocking back and forth next to her. It was a summer day and my older sister, Maggie, was watching me while our parents were at work. Her friend came over and while I watched tv, they sat behind me doing something. Later, I found out that they were doing cocaine. Maggie had done a little too much and overdosed. Her friend asked for some water and Maggie being the kindest person in the world, went to get her some. As she came back in the room, she was stumbling and fell onto the floor. I panicked and ran to her while her friend laughed. I couldn't get her to respond and started to get really shaky and couldn't breath well. Luckily our father came home to check on us and was able to call for help before it was too late. The shakiness and difficulty breathing was only the start. After that event, I was always feeling panicked and still am to this day. I began having trouble sleeping to where I only got a few hours if I were lucky. The school became concerned when I would leave class without permission or anyone knowing because I would have a panic attack or get nauseous. My step-mother and father knew what was wrong, but they couldn't handle me like I was. I would have at least three to four panic attacks a day and mostly for no reason. My doctor, Dr. Pluto, has tried to find the root of my anxiety. However, she hasn't had any luck. My father says I get it from my mother who died at a young age. I don't remember my mother, but my dad has told me wonderful stories of her. He never mentioned my mother's anxiety. I suppose he didn't want me to think much of it. Maggie tells me I've been this way since she can remember. Once, she told me, I had a cup of milk and was taking it to the kiddy table in the play area. Before I could reach the table, someone rang the doorbell and I dropped the cup. Instead of crying like a normal kid, I started to panic. It was so bad that she had to go next to to get our neighbor, Miss Rosemary, and bring her over to help calm me down. I spazz out every now and again. Luckily I have such amazing friends who can calm me down better than the doctors and medication can. I just want to be able to live a normal life like normal people. Then again, who is normal?