Scared for 3 things at once. Anxiety at a high

[Mudcakes]

I start year 11 today. Anxious all night. Can’t sleep. My dog woke up coughing for a long time. She’s almost 10. She has previously been diagnosed with a heart murmur, and she is licking a lot anxious. I am thinking the worst which I should never do. I might have to take a taxi from the vet later by myself to get to school. I have social anxiety and freaking out. I honestly feel scared and stressed. Any ideas how to cope? Or what has helped you before? My anxiety/social anxiety is full on.

[Helarctus]

Hello Mudcakes,

Some anxiety in your current position sounds reasonable, a beloved pet who is unwell is a horrible thing to go through. If you are getting them to the vet, then you are already doing the right thing by getting them the help they need.

Getting to class, first day back, especially after the year we have all had, is going to be a wild ride. But hopefully the classes and people in them will be familiar. You will get to catch up on how things are going for everyone else and soon be back into the swing of lessons. Everybody is a little nervous on the first day back, more so when there is the spectre of exams on the horizon for the end of year.

If things get too much, take a step back, excuse yourself, close your eyes and count to ten. Open them up and reassess the situation, see if you can spot something you didn't see the first time. Give yourself the time and the chance.

[Sophie_M]

This thread is a continuation of this now closed one: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/welcome-and-orientation/hi-i-m-new-here

[Jack2021]

Hi mudcakes it's jack from your last thread! 😊

Didn't want to seem like too much of a stranger by not saying anything here, I did reply on your thread, then it was closed/locked it 4 minutes later 😱😱

I'm sorry to hear about your dog, it's a very tricky situation no one wants to be in, and it's very hard to cope with...I think you are doing the right thing, and the best that you can by taking your dog to the vet and even having the responsibility to take a taxi to school!
Back when I was in year 11, the thought of all that would have totally freaked me out, so I think you're doing so well here, even if you don't feel like you are, you are 😊

I actually have no idea what to say or how to cope, except just try your best to get through the day, maybe talk to friends, trusted teachers, school counsellors, etc...just talking to or being around friendly people I find can make a huge difference to your mood and life outlook...
I've had bad days go much worse when I distanced myself from everyone and was just stuck in my own head with negative thoughts, on the other hand I've had really bad days turn out alright, because I was lucky enough to be surrounded by friendly people.😊

Anyway whether it turns out good or bad, you can always chat to everyone on here about it...that's what this thing is here for 😊 being alone is too hard, I've been there soooo much of my life already, and it's not a good place to be, so with all that said, hope you have a great day and your dog comes up ok 😊😊

[Jack2021]

Also to @mb20lover

Thank you soooo much for the brief kind welcome post you gave me in the last thread 😊
I was meaning to reply, but then the thread got locked/closed, so yeahhhh 😱😱

I'm hoping you see this, I've seen you in other threads and you're always so kind and thoughtful, so I just wanted to acknowledge and thank you for the nice words 😊
hope you're having a great week, and hope this isn't making too much of a fuss out of nothing, I just wanted to let you know you are appreciated 😊

[Mudcakes]

Update: My dog is ok! I’m not. I was massively trigged at school today from terrifying bullying from a few years ago.
I was actually reliving it in a different reality. My social anxiety was so bad I wanted to be unconscious or be at home. I was scared and alone. I am frightened to go back tomorrow. My psychologist is ringing my school. I was seated next to someone who is a horrible toxic ex friend of mine. (Who fakes anxiety to get out of work, does this once a day)

I am so scared and the classroom is tiny, 24 kids and loud and I get overwhelmed. Any advice please. I am really, really scared.😭😥😫😞😣😖😫😩

[Butterfly_Wings_of_Hope]

I remember highschool mate... i am 31 now but I used to be so scared of school my body would be paralysed with fear... my anxiety around school was just crazy.

Have you tried breathing exercises? Do mindfulness activities work such as mindful coloring? They help temporarily for me.

Hope you and your dog are ok Mud

Xx

Butterfly

[Butterfly_Wings_of_Hope]

Mud, if you are really unwell, Do not hesitate to take a few days off school just to get yourself on an even keel.... i hope youre feeling less anxious soon mate. X

Butterfly

[Jack2021]

So glad to hear your dog is ok! 😊 At least you can rest easy knowing he is alright 😊

I think that even though it was a very bad day, I think it's great that you have come back here to talk about it 😊 I think it's also great that you've taken action to know that you didn't like the environment, who you were sitting next to, your classroom, etc, etc...hopefully yourself and the school and your psychologist can get to work together to figure it out and what can be done

All I can say is try your be best to be brave and as much as you might not think it is a good thing, taking action straight away trying to fix things is always a good thing...I wish I was a bit more like you to be honest, because for years I've seemed to tolerate toxic people and enviroments for long periods of time, and all its done is very slowly take a huge toll on my mental health, leading me to where I am today - severe depression, stress, and anxiety

I hope things are better tommorow for you 😊

[Guest_4643]

Hey Jack, sorry I didn't reply sooner. Thank you for the mention and kind words, I appreciate it and it means a lot. You're nice also, and thoughtful, although you just joined. I hope you feel safe and supported here so far.

Mudcakes, I'm sorry to hear about your Dog and the other things you're going through. I hope your Dog is okay, and things get better for you.