Written By: Bre’Kell Lyon Photo Credit: Bre’Kell Lyon
Everyone has dealt with anxiety at one point in their life. Especially as teenagers. An average of 31.9% of adolescents have an anxiety disorder: 8.3% have a severe impairment. MaKayla Baum knows a lot about anxiety, since she has both Social and Generalized Anxiety. Because of the extent of her anxiety, she has her service dog Angel that goes with her everywhere to keep her calm. Anxiety looks different for everyone, and people deal with it differently. “I start shaking, my heart will beat really fast, [I] hear ringing in [my] ears…..Basically it feels like [I’m] going to pass out.” MaKayla doesn’t just go through this once, but almost all the time. How severe the symptoms are depends on what is going on. Because of this she often refuses to go to school or out in public. “I would prefer not to talk to anyone. It’s like if I can avoid anything I will.” Anxiety often prevents people from doing things that others can do easily. Most people don’t even think twice about grabbing a tissue or asking a question in class, but for MaKayla it's terrifying. “It’s kinda like you’re worried about everyone watching you. So if you grab a tissue, it's like ‘oh my gosh everyone is staring at me.’ In that way it’s very limiting. You really have to force yourself to do something.” Most people who experience extreme anxiety often start to see it at a young age, as did MaKayla. “Ever since I've started school [I’ve had anxiety]. I would purposely make myself throw up, so I could stay home. Because you know, being sick means I can stay home. Making me go to school has always been a fight for my parents. Fifth grade was when social anxiety kicked in a lot worse….I have always had my general anxiety from a young age.” Luckly, MaKayla has a best friend of hers that can help her and is always by her side. Her white, mini husky, service dog, who has the most appropriate name, Angel. MaKayla was able to train Angel herself to become a psychiatric service dog. She has been training her for a year and a half and she just barely got Angel trained enough to bring to school with her. Angel is still training and learning how to help her owner with her anxiety. “...right now a task we are working on is that when I start shaking, she will jump into my lap, just her front paws. It’s called Depressure. It's what people use for anxiety…also when I don't want people around me, she will circle around me.” Although MaKayla knows many people can overcome anxiety, she's not sure if she will ever be able to overcome it herself, but is sure she will get better through time. Service dogs or pets are a great way to cope with anxiety. If you experience anxiety, please know that you are not alone and ask for help from those around you.
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February 2024
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