What should I do about my anxiety problems?

Question

I am 16 now, and for the last year I have been having anxiety problems. But I just don't know what to do about it anymore. I am working quite a bit since it is the summer at my job that I really like, and it makes me feel like I am not spending time with my family, and its a really strange feeling, like I feel separated. And also I just feel like time is flying by all the time, it is a really strange feeling, like everything is going faster then it should. I also feel like I am not on the same planet (not literally) then everyone else, like I am living along my own sort of track, not on the track of everyone else. It is really hard to describe.

I went to a psychiatrist in March and he said I have anxiety problems (Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and slight OCD) and told me to go see a counselor. He offered to prescribe medication but said I should only try it if I have to, and since I was not 16 at the time he would need parent permission (legally). I went to counseling and it did not do much for me, they sort of dealt with things universally (relaxation techniques, ways to reduce feelings of anxiety) , and not talking about each individual problem I faced each week.

I don't know what to do anymore, should I go back and try the medication now that I am 16? Any ideas?

One big problem bugging me for the last 2 months is death, everyday I have been horrified at the fact that one day I am going to die. And I freak out at how short like is, I work out how many months I have left until I'm 80, etc.

Answer 1

I'm now 40 but felt like you did about dying at that age. My anxiety about dying just slowly eased as I got older - my sister was the same. Very very occasionally I can still get that feeling but it is less intense and panicky than the utter fear I felt in my late teenage years.

You are not alone and accept your feelings. Slowly you will learn to know which feelings are normal and part of who you are. I would say I am prone to anxiety too but I have learnt ways to cope as well just by figuring things out for myself. Do get help when you need it but also I'm just saying that you will get to know yourself (one good thing about getting older) and that makes things easier.

Answer 2

Hi, I am the author of http://panicattacksresearch.blogspot.com

Do not worry, I am not spamming my site - my site don't sell products or anything. My site is solely dedicated to panic-attacks or people whom have anxiety. I give tips on how to sleep even if you have anxiety.

Please do visit and post any questions there or here so that I can help you further.

I have been a sufferer for 12-years and am doing well. My blog is dedicated to help. I will be updating my blog every 5-7 days on new ways to cope anxiety. I have just made few good entries on coping - I hope it will help you.

I started out taking prozac 20mg daily.. then it dropped to 10mg and now I am just taking 5mg and still doing very well. I might be considering taking medication off my life.

And most importantly, I am here to help you because I know how it feels to have anxiety or panic attacks.  So yes, I recommend you seek a psychiatrist and have meds first, then you can be guided to improvement.

I have just posted a new entry and uploaded some good files for you to do some relaxation.

All the best,

Seng

Answer 3

I had overwhelming anxiety. It turned out to be my use of Splenda. Yup Splenda.



I like to say sucralose, not Splenda, because that is what Splenda is. And it is in a lot of stuff. The package doesn't have to say Splenda to have sucralose in it. You have to read labels. So, you might still be using it and don't even know it!



Sucralose is poison. It ruined five years of my life. I had a laundry list of medical problems while taking it, including overwhelming anxiety, depression, mood swings, insomnia and more.

Go ahead, google: anxiety splenda or anxiety sucralose or insomnia splenda or insomnia sucralose



The slogan, "Made from sugar..." is very misleading. Splenda might be made from sugar, but it is far from sugar. The resulting chemical is an organochloride (chlorocarbon). Organochlorides are typically poisons.



carbon monoxide - made from oxygen so its like a breath of fresh air

Answer 4

hes mostly going to prescribe u xanax so yeah go and get the meds it help ALOT

Answer 5

i know exactly what you mean i have been there also.

I tried the method of trying to get through the anxiety and i have also tried medicine to.

what worked for me was dealing with it personally and it was hard at first i would have panic attacks anxiety attacks felt sick to my stomach passing out my chest would get tight i felt horrible.

I also had the fear of dyeing which was the worst, you have to tell yourself that you are ok and that you can get through it try counting,walking, drawing, anything to get it off your mind.

Some people can get through it mentally others need medicine but if i were you i would try to do it mentally because if you rely on meds you will start to think oh no what if i go off of them how will i deal with it.

Try to find something that relaxes you and takes your mind off of it for me i need to be out of the house out in the fresh air to get over the attacks and it helps.

Answer 6

Honestly you are just ok, you just think too much, take it easy. give an interest in reading especially the bible were you can find great wisdom from the ultimate greatest author GOD. Try sports. i play basketball to meet new friends and to be with friends just not taking too serious about life. You are just killing yourself, take it easy.