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Crown Point High School @InklingsCPHS April 27, 2018 Vol. 82 Issue 8
trauma
emotional testing
Read about the boys’ baseball team’s start to the season on page 13
“Just Region Things”: What’s unique to this area
symptom
work
therapy
ANXIETY
finances
overwhelmed
psychology behavior frustration relationships school
pain
illness
Students find ways to cope with anxiety symptoms BY AUDREY GACSY MORGAN TAYLOR JESSI ALCORTA-ROBLES co-editor-in-chief assistant editor advertising editor
is a symptom of something else, not a disease. There are medical conditions that cause it.” Counselor Jason Quigg sees anxiety as a major problem that’s only getting worse. He feels the rate of anxiety is increasing rapidly. “Anxiety is being diagnosed at an alarming rate and being diagnosed to younger and younger children,” Quigg said. “I believe that anxiety is a legitimate disorder that affects many school-aged children.” Unless it is significantly interfering with life functions such as sleeping, eating, concentrating or socializing, school psychologist Katherine Huls doesn’t believe anxiety should be diagnosed as a clinical problem. “Anxiety is a normal human emotion we all experience from time to time. Anxiety should not be diagnosed as a clinical problem unless it is significantly interfering with life functions, such as sleeping, eating, concentrating or socializing,” Huls said. “My personal opinion is that mild to moderate anxiety is best treated with psychotherapy techniques. If the anxiety is severe, or does not respond to psychotherapy strategies, then I would recom-
Pens and pencils slip with sweat. The hands start shaking. It feels like air isn’t enough. An anxiety attack sets in. Anxiety can be described as many things: a nervous feeling, uneasiness, or a disorder causing apprehension and compulsive behavior. Some students say they suffer from this disorder, however it seems that many of them have forgotten the meaning of the word they have begun to use so frequently. Junior McKinzee Pintsak recognizes this disconnect. “The term anxiety is very overused. Anxiety is overthinking it, and thinking about what could happen,” Pintsak said. “Feeling stressed out is a lot more common than having anxiety.” On a medical level, anxiety is associated with other disorders as a symptom. Dr. Stacy Wright, PsyD, HSPP, sees the word being misused often. “Unfortunately, anxiety is becoming ‘trendy’ for young adults. They are trying to selfmedicate,” Wright said. “Anxiety
Dr. Stacy Wright’s “Tips to Help”
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Reach out for support. •
Evaluate choices.
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Discipline yourself.
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Seek counseling. •
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Limit screen time.
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Write it out.
Be willing to get help.
Find out what creates worry.
Balance diet, exercise and sleep.
mend someone see a physician for medication.” For Quigg, student anxiety comes in many forms. It is not just seen as an all-encompassing feeling. “There are many different types of anxiety disorders, including separation, social, test, generalized, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and specific phobias, just to name a few,” Quigg said. English teacher Julie Sparks thinks that people are overusing the term anxiety. She suggests people might be stressed but may be using the wrong word for it. “I feel that it has become a catchphrase for anybody who feels stressed out over anything. They just automatically say anxiety,” Sparks said. “It’s become like the term depression. They use it as a crutch.” Teenagers have been accustomed to using the term to their advantage according to Wright. She acknowledges that allowing teens to do this enables them in a negative way. “There seems to be an idea in teens and young adults that they wear their anxiety as a badge. It unfortunately gets used as an excuse sometimes,” Wright said. “The current perception of
Anxiety or Stress? Restlessness Fatigue Muscle Tension Irritability
anxiety is an injustice. It is an injustice to enable people based on their symptoms.” Similarly, Sparks agrees that a change is necessary and feels that anxiety should not be something one determines on their own. The feeling of being anxious does not mean one suffers from anxiety. “I don’t believe that anxiety is something that can officially be self-diagnosed. You need to find out if there is some sort of a chemical issue,” Sparks said. “You know if you’re feeling anxious, but that isn’t necessarily anxiety.” Huls has some differing opinions about self-diagnosed anxiety. She feels that it is possible for one to recognize their symptoms but should pursue medical assistance when trying to get help. “Most individuals recognize when anxiety has become problematic, so in that sense I guess it can be self-diagnosed,” Huls said. “However, if someone is having difficulty managing his or her anxiety, my recommendation would be to seek out professional assistance from a clinical social worker or psychologist to see Anxiety on page 3
Which methods help with anxious feelings?
Medication Insomnia Organizing Headaches Leave Situation High Blood Sleep Pressure Enjoyable Activities Diet & Exercise Skin Rashes Talking to Others
According to Anxiety and Depression Association of America
23.9% 50% 57.6% 63.9% 43.7% 36.1% 67.2%
Statistics based off of 300 CPHS student responses.
page 6
Graduation changes pose new challenges BY ASMAA ABDELDAIEM EMMA FRANK reporters
Say goodbye to the old graduation routine. The 2018 graduating class will be the first to try out the new graduation setup. In previous years, graduation has taken place at the Star Plaza. However, due to the destruction of the building, this year’s seniors will be graduating on the football field. Although it wasn’t principal Chip Pettit’s first choice, he felt it was the best option. “We looked at all our different options in Lake and Porter county. We looked at Valparaiso University, IUN, and even other high schools that could potentially host inside and we just felt that this was our best option,” Chip Pettit said. Being held at the Star Plaza for so long the location has become a tradition. For many families, siblings have been able to graduate in the same place but this tradition will be broken and new ones will bloom. “Honestly I’m a little disappointed that I won’t get the chance to graduate at the Star Plaza like my sister did two years ago. The surrounding was really nice, and the venue worked well for my grandparents who couldn’t stand to be in the heat for too long,” senior Sydney Young said. Taking into consideration comfort of guests and those who are unable to attend the ceremony Pettit has thought of a solution. This solution will make the environment more pleasant for those who do not care for the potential heat and stiff seating. “We are going to offer a live feed which will be streamed into the auditorium in case anyone wants view the ceremony in a climate controlled setting with a more comfortable chair. I don’t know how popular that will be. If we have 50 people that opt to watch in the auditorium, I think it will be worthwhile. There might be some people that don’t want to climb up into the bleachers but still want to celebrate the event with their family,” Pettit see Graduation on page 2