How do i deal with College Anxiety?

[RenYellow]

Hello! I’m new here, so i don’t really know how to introduce myself. I’ve struggled with anxiety for a long time. I recently moved back to college and my anxiety is at an all time high. I’ve had a very hard time making friends and the worries i have range from not being able to get to class to being too nervous to eat at the dining hall so i end up not eating at all for days at a time. I’ve only been here a couple days and have already had several panic attacks. Does anyone have any advice on how to make friends or cope with the anxiety of being in a completely new place all alone?

[RenYellow]

Thank you for the great advice!! I will definitely try to introduce myself to people everyday. I think i build things up to be so terrifying that i avoid doing them at all, even though rationally the outcome isn’t as bad as i think it will be. My major is Anthropology and my name comes from my favorite color! Thank you also for being so welcoming. To be honest, i have anxiety about everything sometimes i can’t leave my house or have so much anxiety about bumping into someone on the way to the dorm bathroom that i wait until the last second to go. Things that seem so silly in hindsight but in the moment it’s panic attack inducing. And covid hasn’t made things any better with all new things to worry about, especially being on a campus with college kids who don’t really follow any restrictions unless they’re asked several times to do so.

[lovetodance2018]

Welcome to HU. I am glad you reached out here. Know you are not alone, we are here for you and understand the struggles with anxiety. Do you have a counselor you can talk to? I have learned what really helps me is not focusing on my anxiety or fear. I try to take my mind off of the concerns and onto something more positive. Awareness of what is making me anxious and self-talk by changing the negative feelings to positive ones really helps me.

Here a a few techniques I use, I hope you may find them helpful.

1) The 557 breathing technique is take 5 deep breaths in while thinking good thoughts about yourself like I am calm, I am at peace, I am strong and then hold the breaths for the count of 7 focusing on those words about yourself, then let out the breath slowly for 5 seconds letting go of any anxious, self-defeating, unhealthy thoughts. I do this one to three times a sitting.

2)The gratitude journal is writing down something good every morning and night something that went well in the day, or something I appreciate about myself. Taking our focus off of the anxiety and focusing on positive uplifting things really helps. What you think is what you believe. So thinking uplifting things you believe those things but the reverse is true - thinking negative self-defeating things, you will believe those.

3) Emotional Freedom Tapping - bit.ly/3AVYNiX You use pressure points to tap on those points while you repeat positive uplifting things to yourself.

I will be praying for you. Feel free to pm me if you'd like to chat. Hugs and God Bless

[lovetodance2018]

How are you doing? I have been praying for you. Hugs

[RenYellow in reply to lovetodance2018]

I’ve actually been doing a lot better! I made a friend and have been pushing myself to leave my dorm room and be social. I think its getting better with every day

[RenYellow in reply to lovetodance2018]

Also, your advice was very helpful! Writing down what went well every day helps me to not just focus on the negative

[lovetodance2018 in reply to RenYellow]

So glad you are writing those grateful things. You are doing the right things to feeling better. Know we are here for you anytime you need to reach out. Hugs