{"componentChunkName":"component---src-templates-story-js","path":"/story/working-through-anxiety-d/","result":{"pageContext":{"data":{"id":"-5a23e867-2be6-55d5-ab5a-aa8f8621a034","authorFirstName":"Daniel","storyTitle":"Working Through Anxiety","photo":{"asset":{"url":"https://cdn.sanity.io/images/nr9digz2/production/849a9231a477b8fba6ea516742ec24d9eb735a1e-1280x854.jpg"}},"audio":null,"secondLanguageAudio":null,"school":{"name":"Mossyrock High School","city":"Mossyrock","location":"Washington"},"tags":[],"_rawText":[{"_key":"81ba46285e21","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"9d4429ec360a0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"On April 19, 2024, I went to a children’s clinic in Chehalis. My doctor told me, “I’m sending you to the hospital.” I weighed 85.2 lbs. and he was very worried. He sent me to therapy, and I remember waiting in the lobby with my dad. I looked around the room and saw many people- adults, teens, and even children. It made me wonder what went wrong and how I could have prevented this. I remember hearing in the background, “How did it go?” The patient replied with, “I got diagnosed with PTSD.” Even though that wasn't me, that memory always stuck with me."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"201b9a007c43","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"d593d313aa770","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"My therapist started by asking me what was going on. I told her I was feeling nervousness, panic, loss of appetite, and tiredness. As I was talking, I could see her writing things down. After a few minutes, she finally came to a conclusion and told me, “It seems like you are experiencing symptoms of generalized anxiety,” which wasn’t surprising at all. Now I wondered, why?"}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"b40f1b199c47","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"cc3b4a97bc9b0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"A few months later, I had my last appointment. She asked me, “Do you believe that you are ready to leave?” I nodded and replied, “Yes, I do,” because I felt like I was doing better. I had learned that anxiety is your brain trying to trick you into seeing the worst and taking control over your nerves, basically mind games. I always overthink future outcomes and loss of control, but I learned how to fight and manage it better."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"8411b89443a7","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"7d55630354fc0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Before I could manage my anxiety, I was always feeling sick and unable to eat. My doctor believed that anxiety led to my eating disorder and acid reflux, which is something I have dealt with since I was 9-years old. It is something that would randomly come and go for no reason. It affected my ability to focus, to go to school, to hang out with friends, and it honestly changed my life. I remember certain times that I would be laying in bed, sometimes crying, and I would ask my parents,“When will I feel better? I don't want to feel like this anymore.”"}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"7d1b56e108d2","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"c18f8eb51d990","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"Honestly, I still get anxious, but I can find ways to manage it. Now, I go out with friends and family often, and I feel a bit happier. I appreciate going out now and I love traveling but I sometimes get anxious when I'm going somewhere new, trying something new, and meeting new people. It's not fun dealing with bad anxiety, especially when it affects your life severely, so I’m honestly glad for those that don't have this issue. I know I’m not the only person dealing with anxiety. Even though many people have different levels of anxiety, it still leads to many challenges. I feel like if people open up more about their anxiety, it would help others so they know they aren't the only ones dealing with it. Opening up about your issues is a great way to remind people that they aren't the only ones struggling. Maybe someone reading this who is feeling the same way as I am can take that as a sign to seek medical attention earlier. It’s also a great way to demonstrate how it's still possible to navigate through tough times and grow stronger."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"09fa889fe95c","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"19c7e0cfdd3a0","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"I want others to understand how anxiety can be serious and affect daily life. Talking about these issues helps spread awareness and educates other people about their own issues so they don't feel alone. It shows that healing and growth is still possible, even if it can seem overwhelming."}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"},{"_key":"07be66eab5c5","_type":"block","children":[{"_key":"b79fa9414d420","_type":"span","marks":[],"text":"\n"}],"markDefs":[],"style":"normal"}]}}},"staticQueryHashes":["3309388390","890781507"]}