How can I help myself?

[expressionless]

I'm 17 and I've been anxious for many years. The past few years however (around the middle of high school) I've been feeling really depressed. I have constantly been told "try to make a change" and "try to be happier" by my parents, especially my dad, but he doesn't understand. I dislike school, and I don't particularly like socialising. I keep trying to figure out ways that I can connect with people, because I feel like all my thoughts and feelings, draw me away from truly connecting with others, which is probably why I always feel alone. I do have friends, but I find it so incredibly hard to INITIATE things often outside school. I'm not confident, I feel horrible almost 24/7 and I've tried so many things, natural/herbal medicines, yoga, breathing but they either don't work or I can never keep them up! Any tips? I need all the help I can get

[white knight]

Hi expressionless, welcome

A few things. In terms of initiating thing this WILL change within 3-5 years as your confidence grows. There's a big difference between 17 and 22 years in this regard.

Medication if prescribed is there to help you along not to be the be all and end all to your problems.

Breathing exercises are good when you are on a bus or have spare time but by far muscle tensioning exercises outweigh many exercises for recovery IMO. Google it or seek a therapist to learn its technique.

Age- as you age your anxiety often subsides. You learn that you need to relax and take car of your mind and body.

School- Often other people push teens to go further and further with education. Work out what direction you want to go then announce it. If you want to leave school for a time you can always return. You might know your limit with study and learning. You might choose to leave and work for a while to "find yourself". If this means approaching your parents and pushing your plans then so be it.

Read up her eon anxiety and learn about it.

Tony WK