Major Anxiety Struggles, help?

[jespancakes]

I have suffered with anxiety and depression for quite some time and now I'm currently in year 12 so my anxiety has just hit the roof. I get so frustrated, angry and panicky all the time, to the point where I hurt myself, just cry or break down over my homework and myself. I see a psychologist and a support group yet I find it very hard to open up about my feelings as I hate to cry infront of people. Does anyone have any good coping methods, I truely am at breaking point? Thankyou.

[Neil_1]

Hi Jespancakes (firstly I'm guessing your name is Jes and that you LOVE pancakes - if I've guessed right, then we are definitely on the same page with regard to pancakes - I luv 'em as well)

Jes, I hope that you're still around as well and am very sorry that it's been a while since you've had a response to your post.

Year 12 can be full of stress, anxiety and worry about it all.  It's great that you've got a psychologist to see AND also a support group.  Have either of those options not been able to provide you with any appropriate coping mechanisms??

With regard to homework and study, are you able to set up a regular time that you may be able to do this?   If you can try to arrange to have it at the same time of day each day so it becomes a routine - and to try to cut out other distractions for you at that time, like no computer or tv during that time.  But to also make it for a set amount of time so that you're also not going to be exhausting yourself by going over the top with it?

Is there a friend who you might feel comfortable with in seeing if you could get together and do some joint study - the old two heads are better than one?

Just a couple of thoughts for you Jes - and I hope that that might have helped or even triggered something else for you?

Please get back to us as well.

Kind regards

Neil

[AGrace]

Hi Jes,

I'm glad Neil has responded to you, and again I'm sorry it took a while for you to receive a reply. Welcome to the forums, and thanks for reaching out. Sometimes it's easier to share things online than face to face, because no one sees us crying or hurt or angry. I hope you find the forums a place where you feel supported, and can get the advice you're looking for.

I wanted to know if you've had a look at any of the resources on Beyonblue's website both for young people and for people with anxiety? You're not alone in how you feel. Year 12 can be a really tough time for a lot of teenagers and obviously even more stressful if you're already feeling anxious and panicked. Is there something you can pinpoint caused the anxiety in the beginning? Is there something in particular bothering you about or at school?

I too am pleased you're getting the help of a Psychologist. What sort of Support Group do you attend?

In terms of coping strategies, there are a number and most of them take some practice before you start seeing the results. It's up to you to choose what works for you. You can google any of the following if you would like to get some more information.

Mindfulness 

Meditation

Regular Sleeping patterns and effective Sleep Hygiene

Having a Routine

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

Scheduling Pleasurable Activities

Performing Opposite Actions - Doing things despite the Anxiety/Panic

Simple Breathing Exercises/ Listening to calming or your favourite music

Reducing stimulating substances - Caffeine, Sugar

The Self Harm is something really important, and I hope you'll trust me when I say that it's not useful long term. Have you spoken with your parents/Psychologist about this? It's not uncommon and you won't be judged for your actions. 

Crying in front of people. If I could only have a dollar for every time I've broken down in front of a professional/family/friend....I'd be a very rich lady! It's healthy to cry, so as much as you might find it painful to talk about, you'll find it much more beneficial if you can share with your therapist exactly how you feel and what's troubling you. Even if none of it makes sense to you, your Psychologist will be able to help.

I hope that we will hear back from you. Please also feel free to contact Beyondblue or use their webchat.

AGrace

[geoff]

dear Jes, I am pleased that my good friends Neil and Amber have replied to you, we're a bit late in doing so, but all of us get carried away responding to other posts, not at all meaning that other posts take precedence over you, but your post maybe pushed over to page 2 or 3.

I would hate to go through year 12 again, all the material that you have to remember, and as soon as the exams are over it's all gone, so it's a pressure year.

When you think about it there is no pride or pat on the back for not crying, I'm a 59 year old man, yeh an old fella, but the number of times I have cried is countless, I couldn't even begin to count, it's a show of your true emotions and certainly no disgrace at all, let it flow.

I'm sure that other people cry in the support group, because they do this because they need to get help and talk about how they feel or what matters in life that's why a support group has been established.

You have to try and open up to these people, because I bet that they are feeling the way you do, so they need a leader.

I'm not sure whether you are male or female, but if there are females in the group they would need to hook onto, and once this can be done then there will be much more that will evolve out these discussions.

I won't mention any coping mechanisms as this has already been mentioned.

Please have a think about this but would like you to reply if possible. Geoff.