It can be described as a tight fist over her heart, a clenching on the bottom of her lungs that made it impossible to get a full, clear, deep breath of air. The anxiety causes her nerves to fizzle as it sends all her energy to her limbs making her shudder and shiver. Senior Sara Bryant’s anxiety had, temporarily, taken control, causing even more of a panic.

     “I was super anxious all the time,”  Bryant said. “I felt like everything I did was wrong and that that small issue would cause me to fail for my entire life.”

     According to the National Institute on Mental Health (NIMH), anxiety disorders affect 25.1 % of teens between 13 and 18 years old. Research shows untreated teens with anxiety disorders are at higher risk to perform poorly in school, miss out on important social experiences, and engage in substance abuse. Anxiety disorders are highly treatable, yet only 36.9% of those suffering receive treatment.

     These stats show that one out of every four of students may be suffering with anxiety. It is something that may be hard to identify at first because everyone’s anxiety affects them differently. For senior Caleb Cuevas, anxiety makes it difficult for him to speak.

     “When I was a lot younger, I had a really awful stutter,” Cuevas said. “I couldn’t say anything. I don’t have that problem anymore but I still get the feeling of it. And this isn’t just around friends.  I have these same problems around my family. It’s just not that great of a feeling. I would have fits. I don’t know how to describe it.  It’s just these kinds of feelings happen sometimes.”

     NIMH research also notes it is not uncommon for someone with an anxiety disorder to also suffer from depression or vice versa. Nearly one-half of those diagnosed with depression are also diagnosed with anxiety. Psychologist Dr. Stephanie Smith who works with PAST Counseling and Wellness located in Lampasas and Burnet Counties said that although depression and anxiety are often seen together, they are not the same thing and have different symptoms.

     “Anxiety is a normal reaction to stress and can actually be beneficial in some situations,” Smith said. “It alerts us that there is a situation or circumstance that needs our attention. Symptoms of anxiety in teens might feel and/or look like difficulties slowing down fearful thoughts or having excessive worries about a variety of things such as grades, family issues, relationships, or performance in sports. This anxiety might feel overwhelming at times and make you feel out of control or as if you cannot get a grip on your own thoughts and feelings.”

     The doctor describes depression as a feeling that is not just sadness because sadness is just a step above feelings of numbness or feeling nothing.

     “Depression is usually triggered from some event in life that was extremely difficult to handle like losing a loved one, parent’s divorce, or some other situation that was hard to share or express feelings about,” Smith said.

     Depression seems to look different from male to female patient, Smith said. Males might feel irritable, sulky, tired, numb, and reckless.

      “Most of the time, in girls, depression feels or looks like feelings of numbness, extreme sadness, feeling worthless or like you’re not enough, shame or guilt,” Smith said. “It might also make you feel irritable, sulky, or tired all the time. Choice might not matter to you or be difficult.”

      There have always been people to experience these feelings of anxiety and depression. Smith said that each generation thinks they have had it harder than the previous, and with life being put in high speed, maybe it has gotten more difficult. Social media may be one of the causes.

      “While social media has oodles of benefits, it also has its disadvantages because it’s a new place for bullies and trolls to hide and say hurtful things,” Smith said. “It’s hard enough to deal with our own inner critics, and now we have a whole new platform for misunderstandings and miscommunications.”

       There are many ways for teens to find ways to cope or overcome anxiety and depression. For some teens drugs and alcohol have been an outlet. Others that deal with these issues, to Smith, only hide the true underlying problem.

      “A lot of times teens think using alcohol or drugs like marijuana might make them feel more confident, energized, social, or less depressed or less anxious, but actually that’s just a mask to use to cover or avoid the real issues,” Smith said. “Until you work through the real issues, the depression or anxiety will stay with you waiting for you.”

      Bryant has used the help she’s received from a therapist to find a way to cope with her anxiety. She has named her anxiety Mickie, and she has worked for months to deal with it better.

      “Mickie is that annoying kid that asks “what if?” about everything, that points out my every flaw, that tells me I’m not okay,” Bryant said. “He is the reason that during sophomore year, I couldn’t even hold a conversation with people without wondering if I was making the wrong facial expressions. Mickie chose my clothes and told me I couldn’t wear any other shoes or people would start looking at me and he didn’t like when people looked at me. But I do.”

     Smith quoted Lao Tzu, an ancient Chinese philosopher and writer, when asked how teens can move forward in getting past anxiety or depression. Lao Tzu said “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.”

     “The first step is seeking and/or asking for help,” Smith said. “In the case of depression and anxiety, the biggest battle is with our own mind. This doesn’t mean you’re “crazy”. It just means you haven’t been properly thinking about what you’re thinking about. Think of handling depression or anxiety like learning a new sport or dance move. You have to practice, train, and build your muscles to move a certain way. Our brains are a muscle too with thoughts running through them all the time. Taking the time to train those thoughts to move and respond the way you want takes effort and practice.”

     Bryant’s advice to others who deal with the similar issues is to find someone you trust and someone that understands.

     “The only reason Mickie is my friend instead of my boss now is because I have had the most supportive group of friends I could possibly have,” Bryant said. “If you don’t have that person in your life, then you’ll never get past it. I barely did.”