I don't know what to do.

[Gravios1243]

Hi my name is jack and im 16 years old.

I recently started having panic attacks and anxiety and i don' t know what to do. I'm always nervous about school and everything i have to do and im always trying to take on the problems of my friends and help them out. By doing that i've always just pushed my problems back and tried to forget about them but it's getting worse and i cant do that anymore. I've noticed that i always have panic attacks in my music class, mainly when i need to perform, but its the subject that i tend to think the most in. My dad knows i have panic attacks but he doesnt know how bad it is and i've spoken to a few of my friends about it and my year advisor but i've never spoken to them about what triggers it. I don't know if i should start talking to people more about what is happening as for me it is peaceful being alone but i hate it at the same. I've never thought that i would have the thoughts that i had today and as much as i don't want to i've been contemplating self-harming. I don't want to but right now i feel it is the only way to get my mind off of everything going on right now. I can't sleep anymore and i can't concentrate on work in class or at home anymore and it's causing me to fall behind in class which is making me feel worse. I don' t know what to do but i felt i had to let it all out for once instead of bottling it all up.

beyondblue's clinically-trained moderators often work offline (invisible to you) on issues relating to suicide or self-harm. At the same time, general supportive comments from the community are encouraged. If you have concerns around suicide or self-harm, please phone our support service on 1300 22 4636.

 

[geoff]

dear Jack,thanks for being brave to post a comment here on this site, and I hope that you still reading other comments as well as checking on yours.

We do have other young kids, well I shouldn't say that, so let's say adolescents who also post here, all for many different reasons.

It can happen quite often when people are the first to help everyone else first, and then leave their own problems or maybe ignore them until finally it all becomes too much for them, so what happens is that they crash, and perhaps no one who wants to help you, so then you struggle through trying to help yourself.

This is really difficult to do, so you can't do it by yourself, and as year 12 is approaching this only makes it worse.

Your dad knows that you have panic attacks, so it wouldn't do any harm to tell him that it's getting worse, and suggest for him to take you to see the doctor

Normally what happens with your friends is that they have no answers for you, and you have to remember that you were the one helping them, so they won't be strong enough to turn the situation around, and there is a possibility that they may avoid you, only because depression is such a terrible illness, so they don't know what to say or do.

Have a talk with your dad and if you can it would be great to hear back from you. Geoff.

[Gravios1243]

Thanks Geoff, i've been talking to my year advisor and he has been helping a lot and he is going to get me in with my school counselor so that should help me as well. I was just having a particularly bad day that day and felt like i needed to vent.

[Elle-e]

Hi Jack,

Sounds like you are having a tough time. Talking about it with your school counsellor is a great step. 

It might also be worth trying to talk to your dad about it again too. 

I have suffered from panic attacks myself and they are the worst!!! But there is ways to manage them. Google some breathing techniques. Excercise is also another great way to help out. In the past I used "rescue remedy" you can buy it over the counter from the chemist. 

Remember school can be tough but it sounds like you have some great friends and your dad to support you.

🙂

[geoff]

dear Jack, I'm pleased for you, and these people are there to help you, and please remember that this site is where people can vent, so please don't be afraid to post. Geoff.

[AGrace]

Hi Jack,

I understand what you mean by the other day being particularly bad, this happens. If you do have another particularly bad day I hope you will reach out to us again, and I'm glad that you are continuing to seek the help of your school counsellor.

Is there a reason why you don't want to share with your counsellor, father, or friends what's triggering the panic attacks? Just remember no problem is too great, and there is help available.

Going through anxiety as a teenager can be tough, make sure your year advisor is aware that your work is slipping, there maybe a possibility of you getting extensions with assignments, extra tutoring with classes, or, if necessary, exemptions. You don't have to suffer alone.

Thought of self harm really need to be addressed, even if they are just thoughts and you don't feel like you want to act on them. Please mention these thoughts to the counsellor. There's no need to be embarrassed about these thoughts, but we also want to make sure that you're getting all the help you need not to act on them.

AGrace