Hello. I'm new. I'm just wondering if this is anxiety.

[missingsomething]

Hello everyone,

I'm new and this is my first post here. I'm turning 16 this year.

I'm just concern about myself in the sense that I am really confused and wonder if I really have anxiety.

Here are my symptoms:
1) Breathlessness
2) Abdominal discomforts
3) Loss/Increase in appetite
4) Get annoyed easily (I was once a very patient person :X)
5) Cry a lot (In the past, I barely cry, even if I get a scolding. Now, I cry almost everyday or not, at night in bed where no one knows I've been crying)
6) Lethargy
7) Hard to sleep sometimes
8) I panic A LOT for little things and definitely for tests and exams
9) I am worried about many things
10) Tightness at chest

Well, these are some of the symptoms I can remember. It started last year during end May. I was seeing the psychiatrist every 6 weeks, social worker every 2 weeks and the the school counsellor any time I want, which is almost daily. The psychiatrist was good but 6 weeks is a long period of time. The social worker didn't really help. :X The school counsellor was just fine, but I couldn't say certain things, somehow. I had to pay to see the psychiatrist and social worker, so I had to get the money from mom and I really dislike that. Eventually, I called in to cancel all my appointments as I also thought I was getting better with some optimism. That was during December. But this year, it's coming back again, and I really dislike it. It sucks and it just screws up my studies which was what it did to my end year examinations.

In addition, I just don't feel loved, supported and appreciated. I studied so hard and get the good grades, but I don't get any comments from my parents. Instead, they picked on the only subject I'm not so good at --- Chinese. Are the distinctions invisible? I wonder. And it hurts me even more when Mom always says that I use too much computer and I don't study, when it's obvious that I go out most of the time to study and my results reflects that too. It just hurts a lot.

I'm just wondering if it's anxiety cause I was once well again (at least I thought I was) in December. Any advice? Thanks a lot.

[missingsomething]

To kcdem: Thanks for your advice. I don't want to take medications for this too. I never panic for exams and tests before until last year. In fact, I was always confident for exams and tests. But now, I panic for them, even after I studied. It always suck when I start to freak out cause my chest will feel so tight and I'll start to tear. And I bite my fingers (I never had the habit of biting fingers and nails). Subconsciously, I'd hold my breath. I've never panicked like this before, considering that I did a lot of public speaking. I love my parents anyway.

To dizzy68: Thanks. I think sometimes I don't want to accept it, you're right. But anyway, I really need to do very well cause I'm taking my national exam this year. It'll very much affect my future.

To JSGeare: True, it's a tough time in many people's life, I heard. I never ever thought I'd be like this. I'll check it out. Thanks a lot.

To SMERILA_6: Thanks. I try my best to be proud of myself. Actually, I'm not that hurt when it comes to not really acknowledging it. It hurts the worst when they start talking as though I failed all my subjects. :X  Furthermore, I was never good in my studies last time. I never studied for an tests or exams. But I changed and started studying. There was an obvious change in ranking of 58th in level to 8th in level. Sometimes I just ask myself, what for I study so hard? And then I feel like giving up.

[SMERILA_6]

Hi....I know it hurts when parents don't acknowlegde how you do.  I am a stepmom and mother of 4 so its hard to always be trying to make sure I ACKNOWLEDGE everyones good doings.  I think they know you do so well that when something is not as good they wonder what is happening. Of anyone YOU should be proud of yourself.  It does sound like you are getting worked up about the testing and everyday life.  I am on meds I am going to school also  ( I am 39years old this april).  I am trying to accomplish this online.  So I think I put myself in over my head so to speak.  I work 48 hours, 4kids, and school.  I have gotten behind and am trying to play catch up.  So I know how the anxiety can play a role in your life.  I read about omega 3,6,9 and (L-theanine makes you calmer you will have to look on line to see where you find it).  I am going to look into it considering it might help.

smerila_6

[JSGeare]

Could be -only an evaluation will tell you for sure. The problem is that while symptoms may be not inconsistent with panic -that doesn't mean they ARE. And, no question about it, being an adolescent doesn't help. I begin to feel panicky at the idea of ever having to BE 16 again. You can check out my journal on Symptoms and see if that helps any -but for the real deal, call yer doc!

Please let us know how it goes.

[dizzy68]

heya your symtoms are so similar to mine i am coming up to my exams too and it is soo stressful i know what u mean i really care and dont want to mess them up. Have u seen a doc always important to get everything ruled out but in my oinion it sounds like typical anxietyi started getting it a bit when i was ur age. It is hard to accept it is anxiety but be strong and accept the anxiety you can do ur exams just relax and dont pressure yourself too much coz it wont do u any good, i find a revision timetable is good coz i feel i have it all worked out, but i am sure u have done that already x
Dizzy

[kcdem]

sounds like normal 16 year old stuff to me. sounds like you have tough parents as well. take the money from mom and go to the psychiatrist as often as you can. exams make many people anxious. i have asked many people and have found VERY few that have never had a panick attack, and i have ask many people that you would never think would have any problems, i am talking about highly accomplished humans.

i BEG you not to start meds unless you have to, and only you can make that choice. un-emotional critical parents can hurt any child, i am sure they love you but they are humans as well. you CAN learn how lovable you are with therapy, good eating habits and exercise. stay strong and get the therapy you need, dont go the pill route unless you HAVE to. this is only my humble opinion.

good luck
kcdem