So Im just lonely basically.

[Elizabeth24]

I joined becouse of a lot of things, my mentally and physically manipulative father, by best friend with blood cancer, my alcoholic mother, my worsening school grades, and all the abouves love child... my worsening mental health. The worst things are the panick attacks. I don't know how if it's the same as others, mine come when I'm stressed or sad, it's suffocating in the way no matter how much air I try to breath, my lungs just push it all out of my body, my limbs feel painful and like they are on fire. I usually start kicking and trying to rip things apart, rip my hair our maby, I cry a lot and I just feel like my mids been put in a slowly shrinking box and every time I thing I'm calmed down, it starts shrinking again. I posted becouse as I said before, I just lonely basicly, so... Hi.

[Lost_Girl]

Hi Elizabeth,

It's often a little quiet this time of night, you should hear from more people in the morning. I just wanted to say hi and welcome you to the forums.

It sounds like you have a lot in your life to contribute to your stress, I'm sorry to hear that. You have come to the right place though. There are wonderful people here and people who have experienced anxiety and panic attacks like you and I am sure they will share their knowledge and experience with you.

I did have a panic attack but only once. I couldn't breathe, I thought it was asthma at first but it was a terrifying experience. It must be so hard if you have these regularly.

Can I ask if you have seen a GP or a psychologist about your mental health and the panic attacks? My psych taught me some self calming techniques to help when I was crying all the time and couldn't talk. A psych should be able to help with some techniques to help you through the attacks. Do you have any medication to assist (please note that you shouldn't name the meds or the dose on here but you can say antidepressant for example). Knowing these things may help others help you more.

In terms of being lonely you will find a "social zone" thread. In it there is the BB cafe where you csn join to have a light hearted chat and get to know more members. Just say hi to start with if you're not sure and you'll be welcomed in no time.

My name is Carol. I'm here due to having chronic pain and deoression and anxiety related to that and it's treatment.

Hope to hear from you soon,

Carol

[Elizabeth24]

Hi Carol. Thanks, for your comment I'm feeling a bit isolated at the moment to thanks so much for your kind words and advice. I'm only 14, so I suppose they won't put me on medication for a while yet. I've been to a lot of school councelors who've been nice to me, but haven't really helped. The doctor just says he's seen worse and turns me away, and my mum won't pay for a councillor or therapist without finacial help from the government so it's not an option. I'm also going through a legal prosess to get away from my dad, who have been very abusive for a while now, so I'm seeing a lot of councelors he chooses, who tell me how wrong what I'm doing is. And my dad deserves to see me when he wants too. My family's against it too. My mum remembers what being married to him was like but she doesn't want me to stop seeing him because then he will stop sending her financial support. Sorry for wandering but yeah thanks for your words. I'm sorry to hear about your disease it must be a really difficult thing to live with, always keep fighting. Thanks.

[Lost_Girl]

I am so sorry you are having to go through all of this at such a young age. I have a son almost your age.

It sounds like you know your mind in terms of protecting yourself from the abuse from your Dad. I am sorry that your family are not supporting you with that, especially if only for a financial reason.

Is there a way you can see a different GP? It's possible to get free visits to a psychologist if the GP approves it.

I don't have a lot of advice to offer but I'm sure you'll hear from others soon who have more experience with anxiety and panic attacks.

In the short term, my psych recommended a site called palouse mindfulness, it's all free and meant to help relax the mind. There is an tool called body scan on the left menu that teaches you how to fully relax. There is also a phone app called smiling mind that may help.

Keep posting, you are safe here.

Kind thoughts,

Carol

[Music_Freak]

Hello and welcome to the forum 🙂

I was about your age or perhaps a few years older when I first experienced depression, anxiety happened in my 20's soon after my mum died. Carol has some great suggestions, some that I will try myself.

I would suggest that you find some kind of support system, whether it be family, friends, counsellors, etc. it can be anyone really. People that are there for you. I don't have much either, which is why I came here, but I know how much it would help, especially for someone in their teens. I'm 36, so well past that stage.

Please keep us up to date with things, you may feel isolated, but you're not alone 🙂

[lookingforme]

Hi Elizabeth,

I wrote this big post and it disappeared when I was asked to sign in again...I will try to recreate it now.

Firstly, my name is Joelle. Hi. I wanted to say that I am sorry you are experiencing such troubles, and especially at 14. I am glad that you have met the beautiful Carol, she is a very warm, comforting presence here

I have clinical depression, anxiety and BPD. And, I can trace these back to as far as I can remember. All of these things mean that I can get quite self destructive when my emotions aren't in check.

I have had the anxiety and panic attacks. Where you know your lungs are working but you can't seem to get in any oxygen. So you try harder but it doesn't seem to work. And panic just sets it. What Carol has suggested to you, has worked for me in these moments. Mindfulness. It requires practice and some guidance at first, but it can be helpful. The website and app that she has suggested have been suggested to me by psychologists themselves. Also, writing/journaling. Get every detail of your emotions out. Whatever they may be, without judgement, or thoughts of how you should be feeling. That is important. With regard to the anger you feel, this is definitely an emotion I can relate to. I know it seems a dated suggestion but exercise, a physical activity that will zap your strength, like sprinting or martial arts may help, if these options are open to you. My parents were verbally abusive, and I was sexually abused as a kid, but my parents did more damage, and I think the only reason I'm still here is because I did karate growing up. I wanted to ask also, if you could see a GP on your own. A different one perhaps? There are GPs you can find on BeyondBlue that are more sensitive to mental health issues, and it'll be someone who will have an objective eye. I also, like Music, wanted to ask if you had a support system in your friends? If so maybe one of them can go with you?

I know I have asked a lot of questions, I am sorry. I have a tendency to do that. But I would like you to know that, even if my words were of no use to you, there is another person in your corner who will listen and who will try her best to let you know you aren't alone, and that you are quite welcome here (I still have trouble with remembering that myself but the beautiful people on here remind me).

Please keep writing if and when you want.

Joelle

[Emmy.]

Hi Elizabeth.

Welcome to the Beyond Blue forum. I'm Emmy, 33 (still young at heart though) and suffer from anxiety and depression, something I've suffered since I was a child I believe and it went unnoticed, so it's a good thing that you're reaching out here now.

I am so sorry to hear of the things you've had to experience at such a young age. And that your friend is unwell.

I get a lot of panic attacks and don't like leaving the house. But this behaviour then worsens the anxiety. So when I do feel the panic attacks coming on (the shortness of breath, tingling sensations) I try to do some grounding techniques by asking myself some questions like....

• What can I see

• What can I hear

• What can I feel

• What can I smell

This along with really focusing on my breathing pattern. Feeling your stomach (or chest) rise & fall with each breath you take. Noticing the feeling of air coming in and out the nose. Does this all make sense??

I also find that if I'm somewhere stuffy or hot that can bring on panic attacks so I try to wear loose clothes (that aren't restrictive) and sometimes just step outside for some fresh air.

My psychologist always tells me to ride the "wave" of anxiety ....that the anxiety can never be bigger than you.

I don't want to go on too much because you've got a lot of good replies on here already. I like Joelle's suggestion to perhaps try a different GP. Maybe your Mum could take you to one?

We are all here for you hun. Please keep talking to us. Big hugs to you. Be proud you've reached out (that's a big step!). Emmy xx

[Emmy.]

Hi Elizabeth.

Just wanted to say hello and see how you're doing??

Thinking of you.

Emmy x