Anxiety has turned my life upside down.

[KatieG]

I recently found out that I have anxiety and I have a very low understanding of the nature of it so forgive me if I say something incorrect. About 4 and a half months ago I got badly concussed on football tournament and from that somehow I developed anxiety. I think it was always lurking in me somewhere but it has become a very serious issue for me now. Before the concussion (which is my third) I was confident, I loved being around people and has no problems speaking to anyone. Now the only people I can speak to are my parents and even that is hard for me. The thought of having to go to the shop, let alone interact with someone is so frightening for me and I hate it! I am so self conscious I can not be around people, I don't know I just think that they are judging me all the time. I have lost all but one of my friends and along with that because of my concussion I most likely will never be able to play football again because of my concussion which will completely ruin me. Football has been my life for a very long time and not being able to play will destroy me. I don't know where to turn, I'm so self conscious I can't even tell my psychologist everything that's going on so this is kinda my last resort 😞 if you think you can help me in anyway or just want to share something with me please, please do it really would help me a lot! Good luck to you all 🙂

[KatieG]

Also I am only 14 and am at high school so I am a bit worried it will effect my grades.

katie

[Katy100]

Hi Katie, 

Congratulations on finding us.  

Can you do a search for post-concussion syndrome?  Anxiety is one of the symptoms.  There is treatment available ... this is what one of the websites I looked at says (in part):

Depression and anxiety

The symptoms of post-concussion syndrome often improve after the affected person learns that there is a cause for his or her symptoms, and that they will likely improve with time. Education about the disorder can ease a person's fears and help provide peace of mind. If you're experiencing new or increasing depression or anxiety after a concussion, some treatment options include:

Psychotherapy. It may be helpful to discuss your concerns with a psychologist or psychiatrist who has experience in working with people with brain injury.

Medication. To combat anxiety or depression, antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications may be prescribed.

I like the bit about improving in time ... another site said that improvement may come in as little as three months, or it might take a year.  

As for more information, there is plenty here if you browse around BB.  

When you say football, do you mean soccer?  (Ex Pommy here).  I had the great pleasure of listening to Chelsea beat Manchester United the other morning.  And I absolutely adored Bend It Like Beckham.  

On your school work, I'm qualified as a high school teacher.  I'd be happy to give you a hand with your school work.  In fact, I would love it as I'm not working right now and I miss it.  

[KatieG]

Hi there and thank you for replying!

i was diagnosed with post concussion syndrome very early on but I think anxiety was alway lurking somewhere inside me and whether it was the dramatic change in lifestyle or the post concussion syndrome I'm not completely sure and there have been many different opinions from different people. And yes it is soccer I am talking about and I must say I am very pleases that arsenal is top of the table at the moment!! 

thank you once again,

Katie 

[Katy100]

An Arsenal fan?  I'll have to try and convert you.  BLUE is THE color!!!! But, at least it's a London club 😉

[KatieG]

Oh no I'm an arsenal fan for life! I am currently in hospital at the moment though I have been getting strange symptoms and have not been very well so I've just just got my fingers crossed that I can start school full time (in two days time...) hope everything is going well for you 🙂

[Katy100]

(((Katie))) I hope all is going well for you in hospital.  Best wishes to you.  Please keep in touch.  

Things are going fine for me here ... thank you.  

I thought we might start a thread in the Schools and Education forum??? Maybe some other people might like to join in??? 

I'm a whiz when it comes to medieval castles 😉 My parents used to live next door to one.  

[Neil_1]

Hi Katie;

I'm so sorry to hear that you're currently in hospital.  I do hope that you stay there won't be that long for you.  I bet your parents are worried and with you a lot?

Are your parents into soccer as well?   Are they the ones who put you towards your love of Arsenal?

Katie, I'm also sorry that (a) I'm not overly into soccer and (b) with regards to schooling and subjects, um yes, the least said the better.

BUT it is so brilliant that you've got Katy chatting with you.  Katy has provided really excellent advice and guidance to a lot of other posters to this site and I know that you're in excellent hands there.

Having said the above Katie, I do LOVE my sport and those kinds of activities ... and at the present time, I think that you won't be too much into anything sporting and it also seems that soccer for you in the future could be a concern?  But I hope that you can.  You do sound sporty though ... have you ever played or had a go at touch football, or the other version of it, OzTag?

The other thing I was thinking about for you, obviously dependent of where you're living, but a lot of places have indoor soccer available?

Anyway, I'll send this post off ... and I so hope that you'll actually be out of hospital really soon.

Kind regards

Neil