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.

[Necromicon]

Hi Kangaroo,

It is good that you decided to voice out your concerns, it is never a bad thing to voice out what you are feeling.

You say that you get anxious have you tried some relaxation exercises? Or maybe take a break sometimes? It seems like you are busy a lot.

[Emmy.]

Hi Kangaaroo,

Welcome to the beyond blue forums.

Sorry to hear that you're feeling anxious lately. Having these thoughts can be very tiring. Are you sleeping and eating ok?

I read that you've not told anyone - could I suggest that you perhaps tell your Mum or Dad. It really does help to talk these things out loud and share with someone how you're feeling.

Whats planned for your weekend? Perhaps you could do something relaxing, listening to some nice music or try some colouring in books. (I find these help me).

Let us know how you're going. Thinking of you. Emmy x

[Petra]

Hi Kangaaroo

Nice to meet you sweet. Pleased you reached out to BB.

You have reached out to BB because you recognise your thinking and behaviours don't feel quite right to you, and you believe it could be some form of anxiety and feel something could be improved to help you in your day to day life as a healthy, active 14 year old. You recognise 'something's up' in other words. Well done you! You describe how you feel in these situations really well here in your post. I wonder....can you also describe the same to your parents? If you don't want to go there at first, could you with a GP? A GP should be able to 'sniff-out' anxiety in a flash and you'll be on your way in no time to feeling better. I feel you would benefit greatly if you did. Perhaps read your post to him at your visit? May just be that little bit of extra help you are looking for to make things right for you in getting a professional's opinion. Lots of us here have and do get professional help, ongoing. It's an accepted part of who we are and how we need to be to get on with our lives. You are not alone.

You are quite active in all other areas of your life so HUGE congrats to you on taking this interest in your health, recognising, and wanting to improve yourself and your life.

I'm diagnosed with anxiety. Had it for as long as I can remember, though not really having done much about it until adulthood, which hasn't been helpful. My downfall, going it alone! I hope not the same for you, should it be that you do in deed have anxiety.

Wishing you all the best and happy to talk some more if you like. Talking about it helps big-time! I'm a 'yapper' from way back! PS: that means I like to talk!!

Pet 😊

[Kangaaroo]

Hi, thanks a lot for replying all of you.

Last term we had exams, and I got pretty anxious about that so the night before I did do some breathing exercises. That seemed to really help a lot. The thing is, the anxiety I can get with exams or academia is much much easier to control because I'm generally confident in my ability. In other situations like I mentioned above, I just can't relax no matter how hard I try.

Also, compared to others I actually don't think I'm that busy. Sport is compulsory at my school and obviously catching the bus home is unavoidable if my parents are unavailable. The thing that really makes me frustrated at myself is I feel like there's no good reason as to why I should feel so stressed about these little things that everyone has to do on a day to day basis.

I think I would like to bring it up with my parents, in fact I'm fairly certain my mum might kind of know about it by now. I just don't know how I would do this? (See, it's these kinds of silly things I get nervous about).

Sorry, I kind of replied to all of your posts in one. The replies are really appreciated, thanks!

[Kangaaroo]

Also, in reply to your post Emmy, I think I have a pretty good diet and my sleep schedule is consistent (about 8-9 hrs of sleep a night). It's also the holidays for me, so I've really been relaxing a lot lately. I really enjoy listening to music and hanging out with my dog (she's really great with relieving anxiety).

[Emmy.]

Please don't think that's it's silly about being nervous to tell your Mum. It's normal that you feel nervous.

Your Mum will be proud of you that you've recognised that you're feeling anxious and if you think she may already know perhaps she is unsure how to raise it with you.

Could you perhaps sit down with your Mum and have some afternoon tea and a chat. There's a section on beyond blue website under "Get Support" called "Have The Conversation" there may be some handy tips there for you.

Good luck and sending some courage your way to take the next step. You'll feel good once you've had the talk.

[Emmy.]

What music do you like? 🙂

I've got a dog too "Poochie"...he's a great support (I even talk out loud to him sometimes when I'm anxious).

Ill try and update my profile pic with a photo of him. What type of dog do you have?

[Kangaaroo]

Thanks for the tips 🙂

There isn't a particular music genre of music I like, except for my guilty pleasure Kpop...

My dog is a black Australian Kelpie. She's the sweetest thing alive and I love her to death. She's almost 3 and a half now, but for some reason her body never fully developed, so she looks like an overgrown puppy haha.

[Emmy.]

Kelpies are such lovely dogs 🙂 How cute that she still looks like a puppy.