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Extremely anxious and it’s affecting my life at uni

I suffer from extremely bad general and social anxiety to the point I hardly leave my house anymore. Now that lectures are back in person again I am terrified to go to them. I went to one today and I felt like I was going to be sick, no one spoke to me (I made the effort to say hi to 2 people but they looked like they wanted to be left alone) and I was sat shaking the whole time feeling like I was going to cry. I hate seeing everyone in their groups of friends and I must look like such a loser on my own. It got so bad in first year that I ended up skipping most of my lectures and I don’t want it to get that bad again. Any advice? Should I try and get help for my anxiety from the uni?
Original post by Anonymous
I suffer from extremely bad general and social anxiety to the point I hardly leave my house anymore. Now that lectures are back in person again I am terrified to go to them. I went to one today and I felt like I was going to be sick, no one spoke to me (I made the effort to say hi to 2 people but they looked like they wanted to be left alone) and I was sat shaking the whole time feeling like I was going to cry. I hate seeing everyone in their groups of friends and I must look like such a loser on my own. It got so bad in first year that I ended up skipping most of my lectures and I don’t want it to get that bad again. Any advice? Should I try and get help for my anxiety from the uni?

Hi there!

I'm really sorry to hear you're suffering at the moment! I know going to lectures can be tough, especially if you suffer with anxiety. I've had bad anxiety in the past that has kept me inside and kept me from socialising and I appreciate this can be really hard to get through as an individual. I would definitely recommend talking to your student support team inside your Uni - they're there to support you. The shift has been big for everyone, from online to in-person, and there will be others in the same boat as you, you just may not realise it. It might be worth talking to anyone you feel like you get support from (your parents, tutors, other friends, non-uni friends etc) as they may be able to offer some personalised advice (and hugs!) If it's helpful to know I didn't really have a group of friends in my first year, and it was only at the end of first year did I find a lasting group of friends, that saw me through the rest of Uni. I know it's not easy, I felt really uncomfortable with them and felt like I was being awkward but little did I know, they were very accepting of me. It's hard to put that anxiety aside but if you keep at it, something will definitely click. You might have some upcoming group tasks, or you might start getting chatty with people you sit near. If you're not part of something like this already, see if you can get into group's group chat, and start interacting with people there too. I know things can be easier behind a screen to build you up for those in person interactions. Try and get your anxiety under wraps - definitely get talking to the appropriate people that can help with that, and then start to work on building relationships. Believe in yourself, you absolutely owe that to yourself! I hope you can find the support you need. My inbox is always open if you need to chat/need a friend.

All the best,
Jess
Student Ambassador and MA Illustration Student
My anxiety is really bad too and I can relate in regards to being on your own in class. I suggest going to the gp about this, possibly getting treatment like therapy. Do you have any friends in your course?
(edited 2 years ago)
I can definitely relate. I found it really difficult with uni and my anxiety and autism. Same crying and panicking over lecturers and lecture tgereatres and even seminar room. I found it tricky especially as we were in different rooms and there's no such things as seating plans. I know exactly how it feels.
I certainly do recommend you to get help. You can go to either your uni or your GP. Anyone - i say in the first instance go to where and who you feel comfortable to? Uni supper maybe able out in place university specific adjustments or strategies in place for you as well.

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