Aa
17 year old male with anxiety, help please
Ever since I could remember I have had a problem over thinking and dwelling on things. In 7th grade I had an anxiety attack/ panic attack whatever where my mind would race and race, and it was all because Im so conscious about my heart beat and breathing. I know that my heart and breathing are regulated automatically but I sometimes can't stop thinking about it, and when I do it usually results in an anxiety attack. Another problem to go along with that is when I have an anxiety attack I can't just move on from it, I literally have some everytime I'm doing something; ie: working out, studying, etc. at night I have trouble falling asleep and just staying still because I simply can't relax. I fight sleep for some reason, and stay up for most of the night, and then the next day I'm so wired I cant fall asleep. All the things I have described have happened lately, usually with this stuff I have a brief spell of it (3-4 days) and it goes away, I'm in the 11th grade now and it happened every 3-4 months, but right now I've been like this for 2 weeks. As much as I try to simply relax I can't, and this makes me not be able to sleep like I should, not be able to ️️workout like I should (because I am thinking about my heart beating/ breathing) and not study as well. I go to the doctor tomorrow will that help? I have never taken anxiety medication before but maybe it's something my body needs, I know this is silly but I would like some feedback please. Thank you.
Hello and welcome! Sorry that you're struggling with anxiety! One thing I can tell you for sure is that you're far from alone. MANY of us suffer with anxiety, and have found ways to manage it, so that it isn't making our daily life miserable.
I agree that a good place to start is a therapist, to try to learn different coping methods, and to work on trying to shut down that "what if" thinking cycle when it strikes. That's really the ultimate KEY to effective management of anxiety, learning to change the way we think, react, and worry. It's not easy, and it takes time, but it can be done. A good therapist will help you. If possible, a therapist who is well versed in CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) would be optimal.
You should certainly talk to your doctor about the anxiety, as it's common for a medical cause to be ruled out first (ie thyroid imbalances). I wouldn't recommend jumping right to a medication if you haven't really given therapy a fair shake. Especially because medicating teens is a bit trickier, so it's really better if you can find non-medication ways to deal with the anxiety if possible.
Medications CAN be a helpful part of an anxiety treatment plan, but they don't "fix" or "cure" anxiety. They help to manage the symptoms of anxiety, while one works on the things I mentioned above in therapy.
I would start by asking your doctor for a therapy referral, and IF the discussion of medications comes up at some point down the line, I would HIGHLY recommend you being assessed and treated by a psychiatrist who specializes in child/adolescent psychiatry, as there are special considerations with younger folks.
Hang in there..keep us updated on how you're doing, ok?
I agree that a good place to start is a therapist, to try to learn different coping methods, and to work on trying to shut down that "what if" thinking cycle when it strikes. That's really the ultimate KEY to effective management of anxiety, learning to change the way we think, react, and worry. It's not easy, and it takes time, but it can be done. A good therapist will help you. If possible, a therapist who is well versed in CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) would be optimal.
You should certainly talk to your doctor about the anxiety, as it's common for a medical cause to be ruled out first (ie thyroid imbalances). I wouldn't recommend jumping right to a medication if you haven't really given therapy a fair shake. Especially because medicating teens is a bit trickier, so it's really better if you can find non-medication ways to deal with the anxiety if possible.
Medications CAN be a helpful part of an anxiety treatment plan, but they don't "fix" or "cure" anxiety. They help to manage the symptoms of anxiety, while one works on the things I mentioned above in therapy.
I would start by asking your doctor for a therapy referral, and IF the discussion of medications comes up at some point down the line, I would HIGHLY recommend you being assessed and treated by a psychiatrist who specializes in child/adolescent psychiatry, as there are special considerations with younger folks.
Hang in there..keep us updated on how you're doing, ok?
I'd stay away from the doctor and see a therapist instead, one who specializes in anxiety. I'd also take a closer look at meditation, as suggested above -- it helps with breathing control. You don't have to relax to meditate -- that's the whole point. You just be where you are at the moment and learn to just let it be. It's not easy to do, but I think you'd find it very helpful and enjoyable. I'd recommend Mindfulness meditation, because you basically just watch your breathing. People often think meditation is relaxation, but it's much more than that -- it's basically watching your thoughts and trying not to judge them. It might be a good challenge for you. I'd stay away from medication as long as possible, but if you decide you can't do that, after you've exhausted everything else, don't see a regular doc, see a psychiatrist. They are much more expert usually in handling these difficult drugs. But first exhaust everything else.
sure, you can take drugs to relieve anxiety, but does that mean that youll be permanently rid of anxiety forever, or only so long as the mind-altering chemicals are at work?
what is the root cause of anxiety?
or how about peace? or happiness, for that matter?
where do feelings come from, and where do they go when theyre gone?
who are you exactly?
what is the root cause of anxiety?
or how about peace? or happiness, for that matter?
where do feelings come from, and where do they go when theyre gone?
who are you exactly?
No, I ️workout and do mma, but usually I can't relax enough to be totally consumed in it. I constantly worry about my heart rate even though I don't need too, and when it's up im antsy. Also when I'm just normal like not working out I can't relax so i feel like it's fast, I keep having anxiety attacks. This is something I've felt with off and on since 7th grade do you think medication would help this?
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