Anxiety?

[Mads_]

Hi. So basically ive got this feeling of constant nervousness and dread. I find my heart pounding all the time, and constantly not being able to catch my breath. Ive also noticed that ive started to distance myself from my friends, because everyone just seems to irritate me really easily now. My grades are decreasing. School is getting harder and harder to attend. I havent felt genuinely happy all week.

Does this sound like anxiety to anyone?

Sorry if I rambled.

Thanks.

[Rabbit33]

Hi Mads,

I'm so sorry to hear you're feeling this way. It must be really tough!
It takes courage and strength to reach out though, so thank you.

From what you have described, it does sound like it could be symptoms of anxiety, maybe even depression with the sounds of isolation being involved? I'm not medical professional so i can't advice or diagnosed unfortunately.

So what you're saying is that you've become extremely run down, disinterested in school and other activities and loss of energy. And on top, you're noticing a racing heart beat and lose of breath?

Have you mentioned all of this to a GP? or to someone in your family?
In my opinion, i think it would be best to book an appointment with your usual gp as soon as possible, maybe for a double appointment and discuss all this with them. They may want to go over a few things with you or a mental health plan to refer you on to someone who can support you further. Whatever the outcome though, don't be scared. Anxiety and depression are very common and things will get better for you.

Hope you're okay. Sending you strength and good energy!

[Here_I_am]

Hi Mads_,

Firstly, great work on speaking/typing up! It's a really healthy first step.

The physical symptoms you speak about in your post sound really unpleasant and very much like ones that I have been experiencing for a couple of weeks now. At first they were really powerful and paralysing, but after a few deliberate steps such as seeing my GP and talking about what's going on for me, they're much less impacting now and I am much more able to recover after a minute or so rather than that feeling of it being constant.

The point I want to make is that the feelings you describe may be intense right now - especially if you're mind is feeling under constant attack - but they can and will ease with proper management.

Are you able to see a GP or school counsellor? These first steps will open doors for you and show you a path to manage and better navigate what's going on for you.

Keep us posted, Mads_. Let us know how you're traveling. Above all else, keep talking. 🙂

[Mads_]

Thank you so much for the reply, I didn't think anyone would even see this.

I know its probably a good idea to tell my parents, but I can't stand the fact of someone else knowing, who I spend a lot of time with. It just freaks me out a little that they would know what's going on inside my head when Ive been dealing with it myself for years now.

[Here_I_am]

Hi Mads_,

Certainly nobody would suggest that the step toward repairing this is a walk in the park. If it were easy and straight forward, we probably wouldn't go so far down the rabbit hole in the first place! 🙂

I acknowledge the conversation will be difficult, uncomfortable, revealing, and maybe even embarrassing initially; it certainly felt that way for me. I was sitting in a doctor surgery waiting room and my wife texted me asking why I was at the doctors. For whatever reason, I replied honestly, saying "I'm not myself. I'm in a dark place and I think their might be something wrong with my perception..."

Hard words to write/say, but absolutely nothing but support and understanding. Then I went in and had the same conversation with the doctor. That was two weeks ago, and things are much better already!

Mads_, it doesn't have to be your parents; in fact a conversation or two with a professional first will give you the tools and language to speak with your parents a little more confidently about these struggles.

One thing is for sure - you are absolutely not alone in this. I'm 43 and this is the first time in my life I have felt anxiety to the point where it's laid me out for a bit; it was the last thing I expected, yet here I am. And I am very aware that my experience is not at all unique.

THE most helpful thing I did was talk. The doctor was the first person in my sights; my wife second. I really encourage you to make a plan to talk with someone - professional if possible - and just go from there. Of course, keep posting here too!

Hope things are getting better for you.

Talk soon.