Am I supposed to feel as anxious as I do?

Anxiety is extremely common among people with BFRBs. The difficult part is that anxiety worsens BFRBs, and BFRBs worsen anxiety; this creates a vicious cycle that can seem nearly impossible to break. But the good news is that anxiety is treatable, both through therapy and medications, and by implementing day-to-day strategies.

There are so many potential stressors in our lives, from school to social situations to daily tasks. The key is recognizing what aspects of your life activate your anxiety, and then to use techniques to lessen the stress and pressure associated with those tasks. Remember that exercise, healthy eating, and sleep are absolutely critical for emotional well-being and minimizing anxiety. If you know that writing essays makes you stressed, incorporate a run or a walk into your schedule. If reading or painting puts you at ease, then do those things.

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Oftentimes there are resources available that will support you in developing healthy ways of coping with anxiety. For example, most schools have academic resource centers that help students with study skills, and many schools provide accommodations for individuals who have mental, physical, or psychological challenges. Also consider seeking out a counselor, either at school or elsewhere, to come up with solutions. If you find that your anxiety is severe, you may have an accompanying anxiety disorder in addition to your BFRB. You should see a therapist and get the proper treatment. Be sure to utilize all of the supports around you to help you manage your stress and anxiety—you don't have to do this alone!

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