This book is about my everyday struggle with social anxiety along with other forms of anxiety, depression, and eating disorders. Finding it difficult to look people in the eye and acting tactless is something that frustrates and upsets me because I do not want people to think I do not care. Being a very honest person, I am unfortunately scared to show people my personality and I am scared to voice my opinion. Photography has become a very helpful way to cope. I can show people how I am feeling as well as let others know that you are not alone. There is at least one person out there that understands what you're going through. Make something of yourself. I dare you.

In 2015, 264 million people in the world have an anxiety disorder.

15 million US adults suffer from social anxiety disorder (SAD), or 6.8% of the US population. Both men and women are equally affected.

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) affects 6.8 million adults, or 3.1% of the US population. Women are twice are twice as likely to be affected than men.Anxiety ca

Anxiety can lead to sleeping problems. About one third of people with an anxiety disorder receive treatment. The gray and black block is a fidget cube that I always keep in my pocket to use when I'm feeling overwhelmed.

People with social anxiety disorder may worry about acting or appearing visibly anxious (e.g., blushing, stumbling over words), or being viewed as stupid, awkward, or boring. As a result, they often avoid social or performance situations, and when a situation cannot be avoided, they experience significant anxiety and distress.

Many people with social anxiety disorder also experience strong physical symptoms, such as a rapid heart rate, nausea, sweating, and may experience full-blown attacks when confronting a feared situation.

A 2004 study found that two-thirds of people with eating disorders suffer from anxiety disorder at some point in their lives and around 42% had developed an anxiety disorder during childhood, well before the onset of their eating disorder.

Eating disorder are much more common among women and girls, but men and boys account for about 5% to 15% of those with anorexia or bulimia and about 35% of those with binge eating disorder.

Anxiety disorders incur an annual cost of over $42 billion in the US.

Almost 50% of people suffering from depression also suffer from an anxiety disorder.

I matter because I am me.