Hello, I'm new to this forum and haven't joined one before, but I thought I would see what happens. So, I'm currently a university student with severe anxiety about everyday life, social situations and myself. I have a past with an eating disorder that nearly took my life but am in recovery and developing a more positive attitude to food and exercise. However, I struggle everyday with the same anxiety and have developed different coping strategies which set me on the right path but then come crashing down all over again. I'm in a very stable relationship with a partner who knows everything about me, or as much as I can explain, and he just stays regardless of my 'episodes'. But I feel like a video game character with no lives left. Last night was difficult, the extreme stress of exams and anxiety caused by them led me into another breakdown. I've contacted my university welfare department and although they're willing to help they just keep telling me I'm doing well and just have a 'unique' mindset. This makes me feel like there is nothing that will fix me. I'm trying so hard to be normal for my partner as no one should ever have to deal with what he does but it's just so difficult to try and figure out where you are in their mind. If anyone has any advice I would be grateful, even just your own stories would be great! Thank you, Undiscovered
Hello,
Where do I start? . . .
The immense pressure put on students to excel at exams is a real monster of the Mental health world.
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In my opinion the most important things in life are #1 health #2 love and #3 happiness.
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It is hardly surprising that you are suffering anxiety whilst being under pressure to do well.
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For your University Welfare Dept to tell you that you have ‘A unique mindset’ in my opinion is wrong.
Anxiety and mental health affects 1 in 4 there is nothing ‘unique’ about that.
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We live in a heavily sensitised world where we are put under immense pressure to be like this or be like that, just be yourself and be happy! .
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Meditation may help ease your mind short term (it does mine) .
Try the free app called
Plum Village
From app store for Meditations, also you can get online support from getselfhelp. Co. Uk
All the best,
Peace 
Well I think the obvious question would be have you seen a therapist or tried going on any meds for your anxiety? I would assume you probably have but I don’t think you mentioned either in your post.
- I found seeing a therapist to be really helpful. Especially one who specializes in anxiety. Bc of therapy I haven’t needed to go the meds route, yet at least lol. It never really gets easier, but I do find you learn to “get used” to your anxiety eventually and not let it effect u as much. Once you start understanding what it is, it’s less scary. My therapist helped me with that.
Thank you for your time.
I haven’t been on meds because I don’t like to rely on a false state of mind which sounds silly because they may genuinely help. As for the therapist route, I have tried a couple times but find it difficult to open up fully and am private in that respect. My own worst enemy!
It’s just the fear of losing something so close because I can’t control my coping mechanisms.
but thank you for the advice, it helps to know you are the minority 
I totally understand your thoughts on meds, I’m exactly the same way. I just find them a short term solution for a long term problem… that’s why I went the therapy route. However, if you find it difficult opening up I’m not sure what advice to give besides try to be more open? haha =( I feel awkward opening up to a random therapist person too, but I do find it helps a lot when I finally say all the things I’m thinking out loud.