Do I have Anxitey?

[WaffleQueen]

Hey!

I am a teenager in highschool and am frequently feeling stressed and anxious over really small things. I have trouble talking to other about how I feel, and tend to brush off my feelings as normal. I am slowly realizing that that's not true. I am a chronic over thinker, and send myself into these spirals of negative and anxious thoughts. I automatically assume people find me annoying and dislike me. I often feel anxious and can't think of a good reason as to why. I am a terrible procrastinator, which is sometimes due to my anxious thoughts. And after committing to do something slightly outside of my comfort zone, I tend to struggle with anxious thoughts about what will happen.

I have never told anyone any of this, because I feel like I'm over reacting.

I don't get a lot of the physical symptoms of anxiety, which is why I constantly try and convince myself that I don't have it. The only 'symptom' I do get is the feeling like I have a balloon inside my chest, which makes it hard to breathe. This can happen at any time, like during class or at home. I usually try and breathe deeply and ignore it, but it's getting harder.

Could I have anxiety?

[mocha delight]

Hi wafflequeen I’m 33 this year plus I may not be officially diagnosed with anything yet but my psychologist mentioned I have social & general anxiety (or GAD for short) as well as depression. But I do over think like you as well as get that ballon like feeling which I never really thought of it in that way but which you are so very spot on with how it feels like. I’m also on a antidepressant that helps with anxiety as well.

[WaffleQueen]

Its nice to hear that I'm not alone in how I feel.

I've been thinking about contacting my school's psychologist, but I keep doubting if my situation is serious enough and if people will judge me for it.

How has seeing a psychologist helped you? What caused you to reach out in the first place?

[zaclachlan]

Hey WaffleQueen, love the name!

You're very in tune with you're self and that is fantastic. Identifying the key issues is the first step to resolving your issues.

Unfortunately, everyone is different from one another and that also goes with mental health issues - not all are treated the same.

If you feel comfortable, you should see your GP and ask for a referral to a mental health professional. If you receive a mental health care plan, you will be eligible for medicare rebates.

Kind regards 🙂

[mocha delight]

Hi wafflequeen thnks for the reply I felt kind of selfish in a way when I first reached out as I know there’s people out there who have so much more issues than me and more serious issues to. But then some great people on here said to me I shouldn’t feel that way as basically no matter how bad nor how many a person has we all deserve help when/if we need it ect ect ect. As for how seeing a psychologist has helped it has helped a lot and in every way. What caused me to reach out in the first place mainly was mostly because last year I was diagnosed with coeliac disease & GORD (the autoimmune side of acid reflux) which are 2 autoimmune diseases. I had a gastroenterologist who was not very professional, very degrading and would look down her nose at me ect ect ect so basically not a very nice nor pleasant woman. Yes I admit I was only just very slightly depressed before I started to be tested for coeliac disease, had barely any issues and only very extremely rarely had panic attacks. I’m also on 2 prescription medications that has depression as a side effect but I started on those when I was around 19 (now 32) but I think the depression started when I was 14/15 roughly. There’s also a family history of depression one one side but I strongly suspect mental health issues on both sides but only 2 people on one side of the family diagnosed with something, an aunt by marriage & the mother of one of the two who has been diagnosed has been diagnosed with depression but the rest I just suspect of as, as far as I know of has not been diagnosed with anything. On the other side of the family there’s not been any diagnoses of anything but as I said I am suspect there is but I spoke with about to my psychologist and she’s confirmed my grandmother on that side is a narcissist just from what I told her about my grandmother.

[WaffleQueen]

Wow, thank you so much for sharing 🙂

I really like what you said about 'no matter how bad nor how many a person has we all deserve help when/if we need it'. I think I have reached a point where I know that I probably should talk to my school psychologist, but am afraid of all the 'unknowns'/'what-ifs'. My friendship group at school is having a bit of drama at the moment, which is already causing me to feel anxious about school, so I don't know if I should. I've had these same friends for 5-6 years, and suddenly people have been talking about each other behind their backs. This US election has really divided us. I feel like if I suddenly start seeing a psychologist they might think I'm 'faking it', since I've never talked about my possible anxiety to them before. I don't want them to hate me.

Also, I didn't realize that mental illness could be genetic. I think I'll look into my family history to see if any of my close relatives have ever been diagnosed.

Thank you so much for you messages, I'm sorry for dumping all this out haha. I don't have anyone I can really talk to about this.

[mocha delight]

Hi wafflequeen there’s no need to apologise ok so I won’t be accepting your apology 😉😂. And I think if it’s what you want then go ahead and get help so don’t worry what other people think. I don’t want you to take this the wrong way as I’m not meaning it in that way at all but if these people who you say are friends really are genuinely your friends then they’ll be happy that you are getting the support you need and they’ll be there for you. But if they pull away or whatever ect ect ect then I guess you’ll have your answer. Honestly just do what you feel & think is the best for you no matter what. Please know that no matter what the outcomes are I’ll be here for you ok.

[mocha delight]

Also if you do go forward with it I recommend you type up any symptoms/signs your feeling, print it out and hand it to your school psychologist if your nervous/anxious to just avoid possibly forgetting something as I did that when I had a appointment with my gp at the time to talk to her about the issues I was having and which I found really helpful plus I was so nervous/anxious at the time to. And yes look into your family history as any psychologist will want to know if there’s family history. I may not know about school psychologists but a normal psychologist ie one that does not work at a school just so you know if they have trouble deciding on your diagnosis they will refer you to a psychiatrist which psychiatrists work with the more complex cases basically and can prescribe medications Unlike psychologist who can’t prescribe medications. Also I would also recommend for you to checking out the beyond blue website and not just the forums as there’s lots of helpful info in you haven’t already.

[shortblack]

Hi there,

I finished year 12 7 years ago and never really spoke to those girls again. Just know that whatever their opinion, it will not matter. Everyone deserves to be heard and supported no matter what their issues are. As mentioned above, if they can’t support you it just is not worth the time to worry. When school is over, and you’ve dealt with your mental health head on - you will be the winner. Best of luck x