Is it anxiety? If so, what can I do to help?

[benisaterribleperson]

Hello, I'm new here and I've really only joined to ask this question. I'm only 14, but I fear I have anxiety or I will have anxiety if I don't do something.

The past year or two I've been in high school, and I've been getting supet stressed about my marks on tests and completing homework, and being a procrastinator doesn't help. On top of that, I'm also worried about my cousin who's boyfriend of two years suddenly left her and is now in hospital for mental help. I've also got my closest friend, who I'll call K for now, who seems to have a mild depression or something like that. I try my best to help her and encourage her to seek professional help, but I still fear I don't do enough to help her, and I'm running out of time to help her. Another person, who I'll call T for now, that's my girlfriend, seems to have a bunch of mental issues, I seem to be discovering more about it every day. She has anorexia, and has apparently been on anti depressants aswell as help from professionals for over a year and a half, and she now doesn't take anti-depressants or listens to much of what they say.

As well as all that, I'm so terrified of my future. A WWIII could be called at any moment, house prices are onlygoing up and wages are only going down, college costs are already expensive and haven't got amy sign of getting cheaper. Climate change is a much bigger issue then thought, in a couple of decades my city will probably be underwater.

I'm going to book an appointment with the psychologist tommorow, to see if they can give me a professional diagnosis.

Again, do you think I have anxiety, and also what are some small things I can do to avoid/recover from anxiety? Also also: how can I help my friends?

[PamelaR]

Hello Ben

I am so pleased you've found your way to the Beyond Blue forums. The community is caring, supportive, friendly and non judgemental.

Just reading your post has increased my anxiety. My goodness all those people and things happening in the world that you are so worried about. It's quite clear to me why you are feeling the way you are.

My heart goes out to you Ben and I hope you take good care of yourself in the first instance. Because, you are very important.

It's very pleasing to hear you have an appt with the psych tomorrow. Good step! The Beyond Blue website publishes some factual information and a checklist you can complete, by doing a search for anxiety, if you wanted to. No pressure for you to do anything you don't want to Ben.

I do a range of different things to help myself reduce my anxiety, knowing it never be completely gone, though I am able to manage it. These things include: slowing down my breathing and counting in for 5 and out for 5, to doing grounding, relaxation, mindfulness, meditation, exercising and having a healthy lifestyle regime.

My psych put me onto an excellent place - Centre for Clinical Intervention (CCI). It's located at the University of Western Australia. They have produced these awesome workbooks that allow you to go through them when and how you want to. I found the following workbooks useful:

What? Me worry!?! Mastering Your Worries

Put off Procrastination! Overcoming Procrastination

If you're at all interested - go to the CCI website.

Keep reaching out Ben. You are not alone. There are many of us with anxiety and many of us who worry about friends and the world. Though for you now, I think it's important to take care of yourself first.

Kind regards

PamelaR

[benisaterribleperson]

Thanks so much for your support, Pamela! So far the beyondblue forum's community seems to be full of amazing people. I'll try those things you said (meditation, relaxation, those things). I'll look for those workbooks soon, thanks very much for the recommendations! Thank you again, Pamela! I'm sure your help will pay off very soon!