Anxiety help for the coming year (1 Viewer)

[AnonymousGirl]

Hi,

Lately I’ve been feeling very anxious for no reason. I have shortened breath, breathing feels like an effort and there is a huge sense of impending doom. I’m 16 years old. Last night I couldn’t get to sleep – was tossing and turning and felt extremely inadequate.

On other nights, when I do manage to sleep, I dream A LOT. They’re very vivid and I always wake up tired, like I was awake in another world and now I have to conquer the stresses of this one… I can’t remember the last time I slept well.

My mum doesn’t think I have a disorder worth diagnosing, and I. Really. Hope. I. Don’t. Either. I don’t want to take medications for the fear they’ll possibly do more damage than harm, I don’t want to be labeled as crazy and inefficient. But this feeling is so hard to fight. Just right now I was studying with the dark hand of anxiety clutching my throat, squeezing me so hard I had to put my pen down. I got teary (the feeling is scary – a concoction of hopelessness and doom and inadequacy), and decided to seek help online.

School starts on the 30th January and I have Prelims. I want this anxiety to go away. I’m desperate, please help. I hate feeling like this. It’s suffocating.

P.S – I don’t know if you believe in personality tests, but I am an INFP with an enneagram 4w5. Apparently they are more prone to mental disorders, but I really hope there is a way to get around this without going down... that path.

 

[eyeseeyou]

Hi,

Lately I’ve been feeling very anxious for no reason. I have shortened breath, breathing feels like an effort and there is a huge sense of impending doom. I’m 16 years old. Last night I couldn’t get to sleep – was tossing and turning and felt extremely inadequate.

On other nights, when I do manage to sleep, I dream A LOT. They’re very vivid and I always wake up tired, like I was awake in another world and now I have to conquer the stresses of this one… I can’t remember the last time I slept well.

My mum doesn’t think I have a disorder worth diagnosing, and I. Really. Hope. I. Don’t. Either. I don’t want to take medications for the fear they’ll possibly do more damage than harm, I don’t want to be labeled as crazy and inefficient. But this feeling is so hard to fight. Just right now I was studying with the dark hand of anxiety clutching my throat, squeezing me so hard I had to put my pen down. I got teary (the feeling is scary – a concoction of hopelessness and doom and inadequacy), and decided to seek help online.

School starts on the 30th January and I have Prelims. I want this anxiety to go away. I’m desperate, please help. I hate feeling like this. It’s suffocating.

P.S – I don’t know if you believe in personality tests, but I am an INFP with an enneagram 4w5. Apparently they are more prone to mental disorders, but I really hope there is a way to get around this without going down... that path.

I think you need to see a doctor and a psychologist/counseller

Your issue seems somewhat serious and you don't want that to affect your learning

 

[Kolmias]

Myer-Briggs personallity tests. are pseudoscientific bullshit. Good for fun but please don't rely on them to determine whether you have a higher chance of developing a mental disorder as they're frankly utter rubbish.




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[Seventeenthofdecembe]

You should see a doctor. There may be a stigma around mental illness, but that doesn't mean it isn't manageable, or anything to be ashamed of. (I've researched some of this due to a slight interest in psychology)

Are there any roots leading to this anxiety? Did it come from anything, a particular time or place? Do you think too much?

I recommend practising mindfulness. Meditation, once you get it right, is helpful in relieving stress. Also, changes in your sleep schedule may lessen the restfulness during your REM cycle. For example, no technology an hour before sleep, listen to white noise, set your room at the ideal temperature between 65° and 75°F.

I know it's hard right now due to the holidays, but set a sleep timetable and stick to it. Sort of like studying. Go to bed at a certain time and wake up at a certain time. Set an alarm clock. I also suggest recording your sleep patterns every time you wake up. Once you recognise a pattern, see your doctor and maybe they could direct you to a sleep specialist. You could have a sleep disorder that may or may not be mutually exclusive to the anxiety.

 

[the_matrix]

If it's affecting you almost everyday then seeing a doctor or counselor is advisable. I really do hope you don't have any disorder too! but if you do, do not be afraid. Medication isn't always needed as there are other treatments (CBT is very effective).

I have had similar issues before (although not entirely related to school stress) so if you'd like some unofficial and unprofessional advice you can PM me!

I used to believe in those personality tests but not so much nowadays. I have the Commander personality and they're quite bad at managing emotions - although partially true I do not believe this is always the case and am adamant that I will find my way out of this mess. If it happens to be a panic attack (don't quote me on this check with your GP first), doing nothing and just 'observing' your emotions during the attack will help immensely.

If anything feels very wrong, speak to your parents or doctor or whoever can provide useful advice - don't do anything silly please.

 

[Kat92]

Hi,

Lately I’ve been feeling very anxious for no reason. I have shortened breath, breathing feels like an effort and there is a huge sense of impending doom. I’m 16 years old. Last night I couldn’t get to sleep – was tossing and turning and felt extremely inadequate.

On other nights, when I do manage to sleep, I dream A LOT. They’re very vivid and I always wake up tired, like I was awake in another world and now I have to conquer the stresses of this one… I can’t remember the last time I slept well.

My mum doesn’t think I have a disorder worth diagnosing, and I. Really. Hope. I. Don’t. Either. I don’t want to take medications for the fear they’ll possibly do more damage than harm, I don’t want to be labeled as crazy and inefficient. But this feeling is so hard to fight. Just right now I was studying with the dark hand of anxiety clutching my throat, squeezing me so hard I had to put my pen down. I got teary (the feeling is scary – a concoction of hopelessness and doom and inadequacy), and decided to seek help online.

School starts on the 30th January and I have Prelims. I want this anxiety to go away. I’m desperate, please help. I hate feeling like this. It’s suffocating.

P.S – I don’t know if you believe in personality tests, but I am an INFP with an enneagram 4w5. Apparently they are more prone to mental disorders, but I really hope there is a way to get around this without going down... that path.

Hi AnonymousGirl,

Hugs to you, it certainly can be a scary feeling!

Stress can certainly cause those factors that you have mentioned and as you are going into your HSC year this would certainly be a typical feeling. Let me reassure you that there is no point stressing yourself out over the HSC and making yourself ill, there are always other alternatives and pathways to get to your dreams and aspirations.

It depends on the type of medication and what the diagnosis is. Not all the antidepressants/ anxiety medications have negative or harmful effects. To me it sounds that you could benefit from medication to help with serotonin levels or CBT therapy (they will not put you on things like Valium, etc unless it is something extreme). If you do end up needing medication or CBT you will not be labelled as crazy or inefficient as I know some of the most brilliant minded people who take such medication and receive therapy and are top surgeons in hospitals.

Please , please do not and I repeat do not google possible conditions and the personality tests as they will only add to your stress. These things are not true indicators of who you are or your strengths. You are better than those things and will always be so!

If the chest pain and SOB does not resolve please go to your nearest ED, get to see your GP or see a mental health professional (counsellor, psychologist, psychiatrist, social worker, or OT)- as it is not something to be ignored! Just in case you need it and your parents are not listening the contact numbers for 24 hour mental health support can be found here: http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/mentalhealth/Pages/contact-service.aspx

Take care and all the best!

 

[laura-jayne14]

Hi,

Lately I’ve been feeling very anxious for no reason. I have shortened breath, breathing feels like an effort and there is a huge sense of impending doom. I’m 16 years old. Last night I couldn’t get to sleep – was tossing and turning and felt extremely inadequate.

On other nights, when I do manage to sleep, I dream A LOT. They’re very vivid and I always wake up tired, like I was awake in another world and now I have to conquer the stresses of this one… I can’t remember the last time I slept well.

My mum doesn’t think I have a disorder worth diagnosing, and I. Really. Hope. I. Don’t. Either. I don’t want to take medications for the fear they’ll possibly do more damage than harm, I don’t want to be labeled as crazy and inefficient. But this feeling is so hard to fight. Just right now I was studying with the dark hand of anxiety clutching my throat, squeezing me so hard I had to put my pen down. I got teary (the feeling is scary – a concoction of hopelessness and doom and inadequacy), and decided to seek help online.

School starts on the 30th January and I have Prelims. I want this anxiety to go away. I’m desperate, please help. I hate feeling like this. It’s suffocating.

P.S – I don’t know if you believe in personality tests, but I am an INFP with an enneagram 4w5. Apparently they are more prone to mental disorders, but I really hope there is a way to get around this without going down... that path.

Hi AnonymousGirl,

Firstly, I commend you for seeking support. I understand how difficult it can be. Your anxiety sounds more than just school related and it is definitely worth seeking support, especially going into the HSC. Whilst stigmatisation is difficult, unfortunately sometimes it is unavoidable. All that is important is your anxiety is VALID to you, and you want to take care of it.

Please keep in mind that you don't have to share this information regarding your anxiety with your parents if you don't feel comfortable. As a sixteen-year-old you are entitled to your own Medicare card (you can see the GP on your own). You could also utilise your school counsellor, self-care techniques (such as meditation, colouring etc.) or connect with phone/web counselling via Lifeline, Kids Helpline etc.

https://kidshelpline.com.au/teens/get-help/webchat-counselling/

http://au.reachout.com/what-is-self-care

https://smilingmind.com.au/

Best wishes and stay strong