Dear Anxiety, This is my final letter to you, so here it goes: So many people I know, and care so deeply about, suffer because of you in one way or another. And you know what? They are some of the most talented, amazing, kind, and loving people I have ever known. They are those things in spite of you! They have careers; they have lives; they are fighting back the best way they can (as I am sure other people are all over the world). You cannot define people who suffer from you; you never, ever will! No matter how hard you may try, I think people that deal with you are stronger then you are. I hope that people start talking about you and stand up to you. Why? Because you are important. Don't be flattered; you're important for all the wrong reasons. You're important like AIDS/HIV is important, like Cancer, global warming, and war are important. You're so terribly important that I hope people talk about you so people can understand you better. I really do not think we understand you now, and we need to. We need to get a grasp on you and the terrible things you do and bring awareness to your evil ways. If I ever see someone dealing with you, maybe in the middle of an awful panic attack, I ask the person out loud, "what can I do?" and they say, "you really can't do anything" and unfortunately, in that moment, they are 100% right; I can't. However, I CAN do something; I can love them. I can try to understand them and be there for them, even if it's just physically being there with them, not saying a damn word, because that's what they may need at the time. Most importantly people that are effected by you need awareness. They need someone to stand up for them, but more importantly, they need someone to stand beside them. I am sure they can stand up for themselves, but what they need is a friend on the bad days, they need someone to just not say anything to them at all, someone just be there when they need a friend most. So with that, I say goodbye. So long, farewell. I am never speaking to you again.
Sincerely, A girl who cares
P.S. I am not a doctor. But I am a friend, a sister, a best friend, to people that have to struggle with anxiety. If you're reading this and you're dealing with this in the best way that you can, but you want to give up, DON'T! You matter! You're worth it and someone cares about you. I do! I may not know you or ever get a chance to meet you, but I care. This letter series is dedicated to all my friends who suffer from anxiety. You are cared for, you are loved, and you are not alone.
