Back To School and Low Self-Confidence Issues..??

Question

I start back to school on Wednesday. I will be a junior in highschool (but it's a new building this year, so i don't know my way around AT ALL). I am so nervous. I have never been this nervous for school. I am extremely self-conscious and have low-self-esteem. I am afraid to be arounfd the people in my grade. I am extremely shy and only have a few friends. I am so afraid of people judging me. Even when i am walking down the hallways, with all the people around me, i get nervous and start to feel panicky. It's especially hard because i am in recovery for anorexia, and i worry about people judging me (last year these girls kept making rude comments, and i will see them again). I get so nervous and anxious around all these people. What can i do?

Answer 1

I used to get anxiety in the hallways of high school because of my self problems, especially after I was hospitalized for some situations that I'm not proud of... The best thing to do is meet your friends somewhere and walk to class with them, then go to your class when the crowd's thinner... Or, if you're really a wreck about it, you can go to the guidance office and say your problem... I did that once and I got permission for the rest of my high school career to be five minutes late to class and leave five minutes early (though I was too nervous to leave early and I couldn't dare be more than two minutes late to not get all the attention turned to me)... I didn't take advantage of that ability often, but it's a good safety net. I recommend just hanging with your friends, though.  

Answer 2

I remember feeling the way you do when I was in high school. The best way to deal with it is to look at the truth. These are just other kids the same as you they are no threat. It is normal to feel nervous, everybody does, just remember that they are in the same boat as you. They may not look nervous but they are, believe me!

As for the girls who make comments just think to yourself if they bother you " go soak your heads." Or confront them by looking directly at them, you don't have to say anything. By looking at them you are showing them that you don't fear them. Don't be scared. They are no more courageous or better than you!

Answer 3

Back To School is a whirlwind time of changes and pressures. Kids of this age are torn between wanting to become adults and wanting to extend their childhoods. They worry about their grades, wonder if they will get into good colleges and struggle to develop adult relationships with their friends and dating partners.

Agoraphobia and social phobia are most common among this age group. Social phobia can be related to the body image issues that plague many teens. It may be restricted to a single situation, such as a fear of speaking in front of the class, or may be all-encompassing, making teens scared to be seen in public. Agoraphobia may develop out of an untreated social phobia or another disorder, or may appear alone. Agoraphobic teens may severely restrict their activities out of a fear of losing control in public.

Teens generally display many of the same phobia symptoms as adults. They may refuse to participate in certain activities. They may shake, sweat or show signs of illness before or during a confrontation with the feared activity. Teens may also turn to alcohol or drugs as an escape. They may spend a great deal of time alone, and may gradually develop depression or other disorders.

If daily school attendance is enforced to yourself, the problem of school phobia will improve dramatically in 1 or 2 weeks. On the other hand, if you do not require to attend school every day, the physical symptoms and the desire to stay home will become more frequent. The longer you stay home, the harder it will be for you to return.

Your future social life and education may be at stake.

Tips for you Giggles......

*In the beginning, mornings may be a difficult time.

*The best therapy for school phobia is to be in school every day.

*Fears are overcome by facing new friends as soon as possible.

*Daily school attendance will cause most of your physical symptoms to improve.

* They will become less severe and happen less often, and you will eventually enjoy school again.

* Be optimistic with yourself and reassure yourself that you will feel better after you get to school.

Schools are usually very understanding about school phobia because it is a common problem among teens.

I'm sorry that you have this problem. I was the same like you when I was e teenager.You are certainly very anxious and, you cannot deal with this alone. I too am concerned that your family doesn't seem to be helping with this.

The thing with any phobia is that ultimately it has to be faced so that the sufferer can see and accept that it's not as important or terrifying as he or she thinks it is. To that end, someone should be helping you to go to school, even if it's just for an hour or so to start with. Staying away completely is not going to help you.

Basically, I feel you need some cognitive/behavioural treatment. This is the treatment of choice for phobias.

If it persists you should talk to your physician asap.

You can l**k this problem, but you need some adult support in order to do so.

Good luck and Best wishes,

Myron.

Answer 4

Try to stay by your friends more and talk to them, it helps keeps your mind off of things. Get up everyday and tell yourself that you will not worry about what other people think, or try to. If someone says something rude or comments on you, ignore them and let them see it doesn't bother you even if it does.

About your shyness, its something you have to try and grow out of. Ask random people where your next class might be (even if you already know). Maybe if you see someone drop their stuff in the hall, go over and help them, and introduce yourself.

I know it's hard but you'll have to push yourself to stay strong and positive.

Hopes this helps and stay strong!

Answer 5

Pretend they're all your friends, maybe it'll mkae you feel more comfortable. You don't have to nessicarily (sp?) have to say Hi to them, but just think of them as your friends who aren't gonna do anything.