Destroying my life.

[Tom38]

Hi, I'm Tom and I'm 14 and I've been having a really hard time lately with my anxiety, it started back in October on a plane trip home from Darwin, I just broke down and I am usually fine on plane trips but I just fell apart on this one. a few days after I was spitting up blood for some reason, I'm okay now it was just a bad throat infection, but ever since I've just been extremely worried about my health and I couldn't stop thinking about it and every little ache and pain I had, I emediately thought that I had a problem with my health. I was just scared of dying I guess. I told my parents about what was happening and they fully understood it because my brother used to suffer from anxiety a while ago. The thoughts just wouldn't stop, I was breaking down, and I started to get headaches and dizziness. Towards the last few days of school I had my first panic attack. Inbeyween periods I was extremely light headed/dizzy and I went to sick bay. I honestly thought I was going to die I couldn't sit because I thought I would pass out and die. I came home and searched up what happened and I'm pretty sure it was a panic attack. Since then I kept on getting these panic attacks over some slight pain or headache. I seemed to feel dizzy often and when around crowded places like shopping centers I feel extremely on edge and dizzy and try to stay away and avoid crowded places as much as I can. I haven't been as social with friends anymore because I'm afraid ill have a panic attack. I was starting to get a little bit better in the last few weeks but that changed when we went on a surprise holiday to Queensland and I had to catch a plane their. It brought back bad memories and to be honest, I didn't really enjoy the trip. I got back yesterday and I'm back to par 1. Btw i suffer from bad migrains, It's really destroying my life and I really need help. Can please give me some advice to cope with it. 

[Neil_1]

Hi Tom  

 It’s good that you’ve reached out for support as it sounds like you’re really facing some serious battles.  

Have you been able to tell your parents pretty much what you’ve described in your post?  It is quite worrying that all these things are happening to you and especially as you’re only a youngster as well. 

Again can I say that this is a courageous step you’ve taken to come on to this site … but please know that everyone who comes here is cared for, given as much good advice as possible and above all is, is supported by everyone on here.  There are some really wonderful people on here Tom.  

My suggestion for you would be to speak with your parents, but to definitely make an appointment to go see your family GP.  Or if you’re not comfortable with that, on this site they have a number of GP’s listed, where you can do a search and find one in your local area.  They are fully qualified to assist with depressive kinds of issues and that might be another option for you.  

Tom, I hope that you can take on some of this and I hope that if you’re able to, that you can get back to us with how you’re going … and there’s still a lot of school holidays to happen yet … I hope that you’re able to do something that you enjoy.  

 Kind regards  

Neil

[beyondblue_Online_Communi]

Hi Tom,

Welcome to the Beyondblue online forum. Thanks for sharing your story with us. Sometimes it can be hard to take that first step and ask for advice so it’s very courageous of you to reach out on the forum. 

It sounds like things have been quite difficult for you in the last few months since the plane trip from Darwin. Anxiety and panic attacks are quite common and can be treated with professional support. It sounds like your parents are pretty supportive. It might be a good idea to let them know how you’re feeling and pretty important that you don’t have to deal with all of this on your own.

We would recommend that you go to a GP who can give you and your parents some advice and refer you for some extra support. There are lots of other support options for you including the Beyond Blue helpline who you can contact on 1300 22 4636 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Sounds like you’ve already been through a lot and it would be good to get these panic attacks and anxiety under control as soon as possible so you can get on with your life. 

Thanks again for posting and please keep in touch and let us know how you're going via the forum.