Panic Attack? Social Anxiety?? IDK whats wrong with me

[moomamoo]

So the other day, I went with my dad to a store to ask about getting a battery replacement for my phone. I was kinda scared to go ask for some reason, and so I asked if my dad could go ask instead. He was like no, this is your own phone, you've gotta do this yourself or we're leaving. So I went in and nervously approached this lady who seemed kinda uninterested and impatient. I was really nervous Idk why I was just sweating a lot and shaky. I wasn't really paying attention to what she was saying or anything but luckily my dad was right there listening in on the conversation. My dad then asked me if I wanted to replace my battery, to which I responded that I didn't understand what she was saying. He got a little mad and told me to ask again then if I didn't get it. But at this point, I really didn't want to ask again, and I found myself starting to tear up. I was also struggling to breathe, and I started biting my hand to try and stop crying. I was really scared of something, I'm not sure what, but I had to run out of the store. My dad then found me outside and asked me if I was going to book an appointment or not, which meant that I had to go back in and talk to more people. So I asked if he could instead, as I was a big mess, to which he replied again, this is your phone and you're wasting my time, so hurry and decide yes or no. This made my state even worse, and I was just shaking and crying at this point, but he didn't seem to care.

We ended up leaving without an appointment.

On the walk home, my dad commented that I was being weak and needed to toughen up and talk to more strangers, I had a problem that needed to be fixed.

I've been quite agitated recently and have been crying a lot. I cried last night, this morning in class, and 2 hours ago when I got home. I don't really know what's wrong with me. I don't believe I have social anxiety as I have a lot of friends who I am fine with conversing with, and I don't find it hard to make new friends. Sure, I sometimes get nervous when speaking to teachers or the cashier when I buy something, but it's never really been this severe.

Can anyone help?

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi moomamoo,

Welcome to the forums and I'm so glad you are here.

I am really glad that you opened up with us about how you're feeling and well - ouch! It doesn't sound like your dad was very supportive right when you needed that. I'm sorry.

I'm kind of gathering from your post that you've been struggling with anxiety for a while but suddenly it got worse at the battery replacement place? Can you tell us more? Has it like been steady but low and then all of a sudden really high?

Lots of questions I know! But I think it helps to try and understand anxiety and where it might be coming from to better be able to tackle it.

RT

[Ben_L]

Hi moomamoo, glad you were able to reach out to us,

i see how upset you must be as your dad didn't sound very supportive at all during your post, sorry to hear that is happening.

I realise that you say your anxiety is getting worse but just wanted to know does your mother play any part in this. Knowing this would help for the future as We are able to understand that maybe you have someone else to go to if you need to get away from everything.

I struggle with anxiety too, so you're not alone in this issue of mental health.

If we can get to know you a little better we can provide more support,

Check in soon 🙂

[moomamoo]

Thanks for the reply RT!

Sorry I haven't been able to reply for the past few days, I've been busy studying as I'm transitioning from Y11 to Y12 this year.

You see, I'm not even sure if I have anxiety. Self-tests tell me I have depression and anxiety but I'm just not sure of anything. I might have just had a nervous breakdown from stress, I don't know anymore. I think I've always or sometimes been quite nervous around strangers, and I randomly get nervous sometimes, but I never knew if this was a sign of anxiety or just a normal thing. I've felt this way for maybe the past 3 years, but I don't think its ever gotten this bad.

Hope to hear from you!

MM

[moomamoo]

Hi Ben, sorry for the late reply

Currently, my mother is overseas visiting her family, although she will be back soon. However, I do want to rule her out for someone to talk to as I don't want to burden her anymore. She has a few health problems and she is also still grieving for her brother whom she lost in an accident last year.

The strange thing is, earlier this year I had a similar ordeal. I was in my room and I couldn't breathe and I was just shaking uncontrollably. My dad was actually comforting me, so you know, I really thought he would be a little more supportive this time. But I do think a reason that he wasn't really supportive is because within the Asian community (older generations), mental health is like a taboo subject. It's almost shameful if you have depression or anxiety, and yeah its really toxic.

I'm also kind of scared to open up to people. I was able to reach out here as its kinda anonymous, but I don't want anyone I know, knowing about this. I hate feeling vulnerable, and people who personally know me knowing about my issues would just be like hell for me.

thanks for your reply and i hope to hear from you soon 🙂

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi MM,

It's great to hear back from you! How is the transition going?

Hm, okay. So in a sense all of us have anxiety. It's part of our fight/flight response or what we need to survive. Most of the time that's healthy, but sometimes it's not - like when there are panic attacks with no danger for example. Likewise, sometimes it can be healthy to have anxiety around strangers because it keeps us safe, but at the same time the world is full of strangers haha 🙂

Hope this helps. If you're needing someone to talk to asap you can ring up the Beyond Blue helpline 1300 22 4636. That way you don't have to wait.

RT