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You’ve read the chapter multiple times and studied the material. No matter how much effort goes into it, something still feels off. So, you start over from the top. By the time you finish, it’s already midnight, and you’ve crossed the line past exhaustion with little confidence to show for it. These efforts shouldn’t be confused with dedication. It’s a subtle voice inside your head sitting in the driver’s seat.

Anxiety can make your emotions feel much larger than they actually are. Nerves about a test you haven’t studied for can convince you that you’re going to fail, not just the test but school entirely. Silence from a friend can make you believe they’re no longer interested in being friends. This subtle worry follows you, weaving into all parts of your day. Before you know it, it feels like a part of you.

People with anxiety are often met with messages to “just calm down” or “you’re overthinking it.” If you’ve heard this before, you already know how unhelpful or even frustrating it can be. Anxiety isn’t something you can turn on and off. For many teens and young adults, anxiety is more than a general nervousness. It takes over your body, sending you through a loop of worries and making it hard to stay present in your daily life.