Help!

[theresonlyhope]

Hello , I'm 15 years of age and have extremely bad anxiety to the extent that I can't even sit in the room if my friends are all together or before I present something in a class I actually am thinking about it and dreading it for weeks before and I was just wondering which medications might be best for me and also what do you think I should do? Because I heard that anti anxiety medications cause suicidal thoughts and other bad side affects.. Sorry if I'm bothering I just needed some advice ! Thank you all for your time!

[Suzzy]

Hi! I remember how tough it was being at school and struggling with anxiety so i really feel for you... and I was exactly the same and struggled in the same way you are now. Have you thought about going down the counselling route? Medication is definitely an option but i would consider going down a non-medical route first because once you're on meds it can be difficult to get off them again... plus they are only ever going to mask the problem and not get rid of it. CBT has been found to be really effective at helping anxiety... I had it when i was 16 (im 26 now) and it worked wonders for me at the time and made school soooo much more bareable. Admittedly over the course of a few years things started to go downhill again, but definitely worth a try if you havent already. Medication wise you can either go down the anti-depressant route or the benzodiazepine route (things like diazepam, which i take very occasionally). Anti-depressants are taken regularly long term to help you, whereas benzos are taken only when you really feel you need it, ie. when having a panic attack. But these can be very addictive and you do need to be careful taking them... Like any medication there can be side effects - including having suicidal thoughts in the beginning, but these usually wear off if you keep taking them and i dont know of a huge amount of people who have felt this way as a side effect. The best thing for you to do is go to your doctor and talk it through with them. They'll be able to advise you on what will be best for you especially as you are still so young! Dont know if you're in the UK or not but if you are you can also be referred to a therapist/counsellor for free on the NHS through your doctor.... Anyway, hope thats helped you a little bit. :)

[AceParadox]

I agree with Suzzy, Medications are indeed an option but I'd advise it only as a last ditch option. Reading anxiety forums and such and other articles, I've learned that they are very addictive. If you're worried about the side effects, perhaps try another route first to see if that helps at all, like the CBT Suzzy also suggested; I've heard many people say they've had success with it, and there is even a recent topic on the General Discussion forum somewhere regarding it.

I'd say talk to your doctor, but they might want to discuss medications right away. Tell them you'd rather see a counselor/therapist/psychologist first and see if therapies help at all. :]

Drink some calming Tea's, and perhaps browse about the General Discussion forum, I've found some really neat tips on there about managing anxiety. For example, a topic mentioned Magnesium supplements and how they really help anxiety. I went to my local Walgreens the next day and picked up some, and after only a few days it seems to have really picked up. I haven't had a panic attack in a week. Only some minor "Heart jump, wth was that?" moments when I hear a loud noise in the house and I don't know what it was.

Anyway, good luck!

[wisterical]

Wish i could give you some advice as you are so young but i have only just started to try and get help myself and i am 24. I have been on SSRI anti-depressents before and i do find they help with general anxiety but they dont seem to help when in stressfull situations like public speaking ect for that i think its CBT. Good luck though i think its really brave off you to try to get help so soon and not trying to bottle up and pretend everything is fine!
Mike.