feeling extremely overwhelmed

[giggywick]

Hello, I need advice on how to cope with anxiety and depression relapse. recently there has just been a bombardment of things in my life (on top of COVID) we're moving house, my custody arrangement is changing, my rabbit died, I have 4 assessments due and my best friend is leaving school. normally this would be manageable however this is all in one week. I have been experiencing physical symptoms of stress and anxiety and a relapse into depression. I was wondering if anyone could have any advice on how to cope with this, I do not want to relapse back into the mental health issues I had in 2019, I get worried about having a nervous breakdown (even though I have never had one, my old therapist thought I could have some slight hypochondriac tendencies, I get worried about any physical symptoms I might have and I associate them with a nervous break and I think I should check myself into a hospital even though it is not that bad). I apologies for the rant-like format of this post, I hope it was readable.

[Sophie_M]

Hey Giggywick, thanks for reaching out tonight on the forums. We're so sorry to hear how stressful your week has been and think most people would feel very low and drained from such a week.  Please know that you don't have to go through this alone, there is help available to you.
We would strongly recommend that you get in touch with Kids Helpline. It sounds like you're in a really tough situation and it might help to talk it out whenever you're feeling overwhelmed. Kids Helpline counsellors can be contacted 24/7 via telephone and also via webchat if you go through the website provided.
If the coronavirus restrictions are making things harder for you at the moment, then we'd also recommend taking a look at out dedicated Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service where you will find a lot of targeted information as well as another 24/7 helpline staffed by specially trained mental health professionals.
Thanks again for reaching out as we know that it can be really tough to do this for the first time. We hope that you find some comfort here in the words of wisdom and kindness that our community can offer. 

[DedicatedToHealth]

Hi giggywick, I think you are amazing. Having to go through all of that is enormously difficult and it's perfectly understandable to feel the way you do. You know you- trust yourself that you can see signs or a feeling that you are needing help. Even doing what you are doing now, talking about it, asking questions is positive. Do you normally have strategies to cope/respond to how your body is feeling? have you got something that you enjoy in your life, is this helping you or do you feel like you need something else or someone else to help you out?

i agree with thinking about asking kidshelpline. A great place to start.