College Anxiety Disorders: Symptoms and Dangers

Nowadays, the permanent state of anxiety is one of the most common mental health concerns college students have (College Anxiety Disorder). Some degree of anxiety is normal and can have positive effects on behavior, however, there is a point where it is too much.

Anxiety can warn a student about upcoming trouble, boost productivity, increase courage, and promote consistency in the wake of an important exam. However, panic attacks and perpetual anxiety are maladaptive and should be monitored and treated medically.

By James Macaluso

The term ‘anxiety disorder’ comprises conditions such as GAD (generalized anxiety disorder), agoraphobia (fear of open spaces), and SAD (social anxiety disorder). It also includes OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) and PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder).

College Anxiety Disorders: Symptoms, Dangers and How to Deal with Them

Students long to juggle studying, romance, socializing, and work. However, anxiety might arise and take a piece of the action. When a student’s body gets worn out and stressed, both physically and mentally, anxiety is likely to grow into a serious concern. How concerned should we be about College Anxiety Disorders?

College Anxiety Disorders Symptoms and Dangers
  • 80% of students admit to facing everyday stress
  • 62% of students withdraw from college because of a mental condition suffered from an actual anxiety disorder or a related state, such as panic attacks
  • 30% acknowledge that they have had depression at least once in the past three months
  • 13% of questioned students had a diagnosed anxiety disorder condition
  • Finally, 9% confess to have suicide thoughts during a year

Although an anxiety disorder is astoundingly well-treated, among 40 million American patients with an official diagnosis, only 1/3 receive medical help.

How to distinguish everyday anxiety from an anxiety condition
College Anxiety Table 1

Symptoms of an anxiety disorder and follow-up panic attacks

Many experts agree that people prone to anxiety disorders have a family history of the illness. However, an important factor in developing a serious anxiety issue is the living environment and various life events. These can make an anxiety disorder even worse.

Here are the key symptoms of having an anxiety disorder. (Notice the words ‘permanent’ and ‘ongoing’ play a major part).

College Anxiety Disorder

Panic attacks pave a pathway to constant anxiety issues. Today, permanent anxiety disorders are highly treatable. Nonetheless, a panic attack, which often takes place in the life of affected people and students, may occur suddenly.

To get help with this mental condition, students and adults alike are well-advised to visit a specialized doctor. If you can not get help from a doctor right now, these methods may help in the short term.

Effective ways to isolate your anxiety problem

College Anxiety Disorder

One last piece of anxiety management advice for students would be to get enough sleep and rest. According to German professor Rolf Schulmeister, “At least seven hours in bed at night will reduce the risk of having a panic attack.”

Consult a doctor if any of the symptoms and conditions have already become (or are just becoming) permanent in your life.