Kerthump-
TERRIFIED
avoided accepting medication for her severe Social kerthump-kerthump-kerthump Anxiety Disorder for a long … My heart thudded in my time. She said, “I always had chest, shaking my ribcage been taught that if you have violently. A rush of cortisol something mentally wrong flooded my veins and sank with you, you just needed into my muscles. Alarm bells to have more faith.” Lacey, a clanged in my head as I sucked freshman in college, shared air in short, rapid breaths. that she had once been told, I watched, terrified, as my “You’re worried? Well, just fingers curled in unnatural pray about it.” Maria Kercher ways. My legs and arms seized, Social anxiety is not growing cold and numb. I’m something you can simply dying. I swear I’m dying. the cafeteria to even get food, anxiety about the role of their pray away or wave off like an I learned two things my first or if they do, they’ll run back relationship with God and annoying fly. Mental health day of college. First, I have to their room.” Others stand their community in recovery. issues are incredibly importsocial anxiety. Second, God is outside their classrooms, Some had been dealing with ant. Abiding with Christ by going to take care of me. terrified to enter. social anxiety for over ten meditating in prayer, replacing Leading up to that first day, Some good ways to combat years. The first person I spoke fear with truth and accepting my family kept telling me, social anxiety are cognitive to, Rachel, explained how healthy community support “College is different than high behavioral therapy, medicabeing close to God helps her: aids in dealing with social school,” “College is harder tion (as prescribed), healthy “He reminds me that I am anxiety. These techniques can than high school,” and “The lifestyle changes, and breath- the way He made me, and I be used in addition to (and teachers won’t care if you ing techniques. Another is a have value and purpose when possibly amplify the effects fail.” That terrified me. I had relationship with God. I’m with Him. He’s still using of) therapy, medication and serious issues forming lasting I asked Escobar if she’d me in His greater plan…I’m lifestyle changes. friendships in high school, seen a difference in recovery fallen, I’m gonna be messy. and for a while my only real among those with a strong It’s gonna be okay…He uses friends were my teachers. relationship with God and our imperfections for greater By Monday morning, I had those without. In her years things.” Another person I thoroughly convinced myself working in private practice, interviewed, Tracy, said her that I was going to fail college she did notice a difference. prayer group supports her by and make enemies out of my Since a large cause of social praying for her, emailing her, Maria Kercher is a public classmates and professors anxiety is self-doubt, Escobar and talking with her. In my relations major who hopes while doing so. gave this example: “If I don’t conversation with LaDawn, to become a technical writer. In seeking help for my know who I am in Christ, if she mentioned she spends social anxiety, I discovered I’m still trying to figure that time in prayer every day that it is a common problem out, I may be more inclined and listens to her Bible. Her among college students. to get pushed around by church also offers a support We’re just very good at hiding opinions of other people.” group for people to encourit. Unfortunately, hiding it Escobar explained that while age each other rather than doesn’t help. Lorie Escobar, people change, God will “fix” each other. licensed professional counnot. Escobar also mentioned However, there is a huge selor at Union College, said, being part of a community to difference between healthy “I’ve had students tell me be helpful. spirituality and religion. that…they struggle to go into I asked adults with social LaDawn, for instance,
of you
Can a relationship with Christ help people with social anxiety?
MAY 2020 13
Courtesy Maria Kercher
OUTLOOKMAG.ORG
