Do I have an anxiety disorder? Please help!!!! All answers appreciated!!!!!?

Question

I get nervous, stressed, and worried A LOT and sometimes it is over the littlest things. Like tonight I have my first dance class of the year (same place as I took classes last year and same type of dance) and I'm nervous, but I shouldn't be because I love dancing! I have also been VERY stressed about school starting (I'm going to be a sophomore in high school) and it's been bothering me 24/7 and I'm tired of it.

Sometimes I feel like I'm in a dream and I'll feel dizzy and light-headed - why??? It feels really weird and I don't know why it happens. Sometimes I feel like I'm also going to faint. I'm really worried about this!

My mom is a nurse so I am going to tell her about it. She is asleep right now because she works night shift, so I will tell her when she wakes up. But how do I tell her?? I'm worried I will sound paranoid or something or sound stupid. Is this something silly to worry about - I mean, the anxiety thing?

Another thing about me is I have been known to be shy at times, and I also was as a little kid.

Please help!!!! Should I ask my mom about seeing a doctor? I feel sooo stupid!

Answer 1

I have alot of empathy for you, as I have an anxiety disorder as well. All of us have alot of stress on us these days, due to the fast-paced nature of our every-changing.  I have learned alot of  techniques for dealing with anxiety from healh-care professionals that I want to share with you.Firstly, it is a fact that some nervousness and anxiety are actually important to have. These serve as motivators to our performance.

Secondly, you can use imagery to deal with your anxiety. Close your eyes and envision yourself having alot of fun at the dance class tonight,see yourself succeeding and getting along well with the other members of your class. Tell yourself that all of your nervousness and stress is unwarranted, as you are prepared and happy that your dance classes are starting again. Focus on the positive things that are going to happen, and focus on envisioning the process you will be engaged in not any final result or any thoughts relating to judgement from others. Focus on some aspect of your dancing that you really enjoy, instead of focusing on the possible negative aspects. Don't focus on trying to be perfect, instead concentrate on the feeling or message you want to convey through your dancing  to yourself and  others in your dance class. (Your self-talk about the dance class is crucial to the outcome you desire. Tell yourself all the good things that are going to happen when you are dancing and attending dance class. Focus on sharing your love of dancing with the other people in your class. Anxiety in moderation can be a good thing, helping you to focus all your energy on the task in hand.

You can try to use deep-breathing exercises just before you are going to begin the class. Research shows that alot of people stop breathing deeply before they begin a stressful activity and this reduces the amount of oxygen your body has to use. If we breathe shallow we are adopting one aspect of the emotional posture of anxiety. It is almost impossible to feel deeply calm and relaxed when we are telling our body, through our breathing, that we feel unsafe.

Many people who live with high levels of anxiety are known to breathe through their chest. Shallow breathing through the chest means you are disrupting the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide necessary to be in a relaxed state. This type of breathing will perpetuate the symptoms of anxiety.

The correct breathing technique is called Diaphragmatic Breathing (stomach breathing). We automatically breath this way when we are born. Diaphragmatic breathing uses the diaphragm muscle ( a strong dome shaped muscle) located under our ribs and above our stomach. When we breath in, we push the muscle down, and our tummy moves forward. When we breath out, the diaphragmatic muscle moves back to resting position and our tummy moves back in. There is little or no upper chest movement.

To become aware of your breathing, place one hand on your upper chest and one on your stomach. Take a breath and let your stomach swell forwards as you breathe in, and fall back gently as you breathe out. Try to get a steady rhythm going, take the same depth of breath each time. Your hand on your chest should have little or no movement. Try and take the same depth of breath each time you breath in. When you feel comfortable with this technique, try to slow your breathing rate down by putting a short pause after you have breathed out and before you breathe in again. Initially, it may feel as though you are not getting enough air in, but with regular practice this slower rate will soon start to feel comfortable.

It is often helpful to develop a cycle where you count to three when you breath in, pause, and then count to three when you breath out (or 2, or 4 - whatever is comfortable for you). This will also help you focus on your breathing without any other thoughts coming into your mind. If you are aware of other thoughts entering your mind, just let them go and bring your attention back to counting and breathing. If you practice this technique for ten minutes twice a day, and any other time you are aware of your breathing, you will begin to strengthen the Diaphragmatic Muscle and it will start to work normally - leaving you with a nice relaxed feeling.

Anytime in which you are experiencing anxiety, try and remember to breath in the manner describe above, and your anxiety level will decrease. Remember, you cannot be anxious and relaxed at the same time.

Enjoy your dance class tonight I hope you have alot of fun tonight and meet some nice people there :)

Answer 2

Judging by how many exclamation marks you've used in your topic sentence, yeah, you're anxious...

That's not necessarily bad though.

Neither is being shy.

Some people will go there whole lives in the spotlight, talking to strangers, and anyone they meet without any doubts, shyness, fear, whatever, and then some, like me...

I will only tell you all this online. I am shy as can be in person. I get anxious about meeting new people, doing new things with new people. Even something I love, making music, will get me riled up if I'm put in the right situation.

Like, I'll be DJ'n with friends, and worried to all h**l that I will mess up a mix and they will laugh or something...

But it doens't matter, cause even the pro's mess up.

Don't worry kid. You sound like a normal teen.

Life is hard.

Don't be an a*****e and make the world a better place.  

Answer 3

Only a doctor can diagnose you and yes if your worried talk to your mother.