I think I might have anxiety?

[Kangaaroo]

I'm 14 and I've recently realised I might have some form of anxiety.

Insignificant everyday situations like catching the bus or buying something from the shop make me quite anxious. Whenever I'm in a situation where I know people will be observing me in some way or I will have some kind of responsibility I tend to overthink things; I tell myself I'm going to embarrass myself or stuff something up.

For example, I often resent catching the bus home from school because the bus I catch gets extremely crowded, so the whole journey I worry about how I will navigate my way to the front of the bus, when I should stand up to do so etc. I cannot relax until this is over.

The same applies to social situations. If I'm with friends or people I am comfortable with then it's usually okay, but otherwise I hate it. The worst part for me is when I'm at a party or something and a guest/s is leaving/arriving. This is often when people make small talk or start conversation and I DETEST this, my palms get sweaty, my heart races and I constantly feel like I don't know what to say. A conversation with me basically consists of the person asking question and me answering yes or no.

Also, I play waterpolo as a summer sport and get really stressed about this too. I keep getting put in the top team but I feel like I'm not good enough (I don't think this is a product of the anxiety I just genuinely think my ability is misjudged). I've played the sport for a couple of years and always gotten anxious about it, but recently it's been exacerbated to the point where I will start worrying the day before we have training. We have training twice a week and one game a week so there's only a couple of days when I can relax.

I think I've been having anxious feelings for a while but I always just thought it was normal or I was just overreacting.

I know I've rambled on heaps but there was a lot I really feel like I needed to say (btw, I haven't really told anyone about this). I'm aware the most important thing is not to self diagnose but I also know you need to listen to your feelings, and the feelings I get frequently just don't feel right. Any help or answers would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much for reading.

[Petra]

Hi Kangaaroo

Well done you having the opportunity to read out the front. It can be daunting thinking about the number of people. When I started out talking to crowds, I'd take a deep breath in to my belly. Only takes a few seconds. I concentrate on the words I am to read. Before looking up occasionally throughout, I use my thumbs as book marks so when I look down at my page again I find the spot I'm up to easily. When I looked up, I didn't look direct in to faces, rather at the tops of heads. When I became comfortable, I could then do that but to start, so I wasn't so overwhelmed, I did this. People are non the wiser. They think you are looking at the person behind them.

Will be thinking of you.

Pet 😊

[Kangaaroo]

The rehearsal was today, and it went well. One of the reasons I am/was so anxious is because my past experience with reading at mass basically involved me not knowing what I was supposed to be doing or when I had to do it. Also, I find myself worrying about tiny little things (like should I stand to the right or the left when I bow, how should I walk back down to my seat, etc.) - the kind of things you aren't told how to do. Luckily, the woman organising the mass is very organised and thorough and was very good at explaining how everything would work, including the little details. This has really helped my anxiety.

Of course I'm still nervous and will be moreso on the day, but I'm feeling better now after this rehearsal.

[Emmy.]

That's great Kangaaroo. I'm really happy for you that the rehearsal went well. On Friday just remember deep breaths, don't over think it and remember today - how well it went. Well done you. (High Five!!)

[Petra]

Hi K

and bless those that can explain things in a way we understand. Sounds like that lady's good at what she does. Well done to you. I often rehearse things in my mind before I actually physically do the realigning. I also think about things that could go wrong and if it does, imagine what I would need to do to correct. I feel I'm ready for most scenarios too. Anxiety is a big thing for me too. We learn ways to cope. Actually, I'm in front of a group of 30 tonight. So I'll be practising what I preach, so to speak. Xx

[Emmy.]

Hi Kangaaroo:) Well it's now Friday night which means the mass will all be over and done with now.

Tell us...how was it??

Hope you're doing something fun tonight. Enjoy your weekend.

Emmy 🙂

[Petra]

Apologies folks I meant 'rehearsing' not 'realigning' although mental rehearsing can assist in realigning! Predictive text taking over is like the 'where's Wally' in Pet-posts it seems!!!!!!

Hope all went well K. Please do tell us how you got on and perhaps how you felt and feel about it.

Pet 😊 xx