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demi
02-04-2013, 04:50 AM
Hey,

So this is very new to me, and the fact I'm even here posting this is proving to myself that I have a problem. I'm a bit nervous coming here because I myself haven't been diagnosed with anything by a doctor. I'm scared to talk to my family and even more scared to talk to any kind of doctor. I'm scared they'll think that there's nothing wrong with me. I always try and tell myself that there must be because I wouldn't be contemplating it multiple times every single day.

I'm just here for a little bit of help and advice, and perhaps anyone could let me know if I should seek help.

From what I can tell, I've had anxiety all my life. As a child I was very shy and it just got worse growing up. In secondary school (high school) I was picked on for being quiet which made me feel worse. I'm currently in college, I barely have friends and since September I've been skipping a lot of classes in fear that my teacher may ask me questions, make me work in pairs, group work, oral presentations etc. Whenever I'm in class my heart races, even if there's nothing happening. I feel incredibly sick, I shake all over and I feel trapped as soon as the door shuts. I usually leave class wanting to cry. I feel like they're panic attacks. Sometimes when I'm walking through crowds I get dizzy, my ears ring and I feel nauseous. It's not normal and it's making my life miserable. I feel they must be panic attacks because it's so much more frequent at the minute. Last week I skipped all but one class just because I didn't want to speak out. I'm trying really hard to attend but the fear inside is stopping me. I avoid the simplest tasks like taking a bus, calling people, asking for help, making new friends, going to a shop, paying for things... it seems so stupid.

As for depression, I haven't been diagnosed but I'm not an idiot. I've done hours upon hours of research looking to what I may have and 99% of the time I have all the symptoms. I have extreme trouble getting up in the morning; if I could have my way, I'd stay in bed my whole life. Its not because I'm lazy, its because I feel worthless, hopeless, and that my life is amounting to nothing. I'm not important. Some days I sleep all night and day, other days I'm wide awake until 5am. I cry every single night, and it's horrible. Some days I eat loads, then my self esteem drops, some days I eat nothing at all. Over the years I've become short tempered, irritable, argumentative and completely withdrawn. I have no energy anymore, it physically hurts to smile, I constantly have headaches and I just feel so low all the time. About two years ago I had days when I was okay and things were normal but it's progressively gotten worse. I'm at my last straw because I can't get happy over anything, even when something good is going on. Its the worst feeling in the world. I just feel drained all the time. Its like I have a black dark mass in my chest that voids me of anything but sadness.

I've self harmed before and it helped for a while but I tried hard to stop because I was too afraid of people seeing. I feel like now I have no other way to cope. I'm helpless. I don't know when it started but I do know my self esteem dropped dramatically at 6 years old when my parents split. I used to do dancing at around 4 years old to 8 years old and I used to think I was fat and ugly. No 4 year old should have those thoughts. Maybe I was born with this, I don't know. I do know that I'm loosing hope and I'm not sure what else to do.

Sorry this is so long, I just need a place to let it out. If you did read this, I appreciate it and thankyou. Any kind of feedback / advice / anything I would be grateful for :)

- Demi

Brittanyyyy
02-04-2013, 12:44 PM
Hi Demi! I'm new to this too. I'm not in as bad a spot as you, but I've been dealing with alot of what you're talking about so I want you to know there's someone else here. Im 22 in college, my parents just divorced last year and it totally turned my life upside down. Im 22 so I thought it shouldn't be a big deal but regardless of your age divorce sucks. I dealt with insomnia (literally no sleep some nights, at most 5 hours in that 6 month period) for 6 straight months, suicidal thoughts, repetitive thoughts, high levels of anxiety. But like you I'm not diagnosed with anything but I swear something is wrong. Also like you I have issues with social anxiety, hate group projects and have trouble attending school sometimes out of fear of judgment, etc. I started going to counseling a few months ago and it has helped tremendously! I'm finally sleeping again. Maybe counseling could help you?? Talk to me anytime if u want help bc I feel we relate in many ways.
-Britt

demi
02-04-2013, 01:54 PM
Yeah you're right, divorce really does hit hard no matter what age! I'm glad to hear counseling is helping you :) I'm very tempted at the moment but it's more to plucking up the courage to tell my family what's wrong. & Thankyou so much!

Brittanyyyy
02-04-2013, 02:03 PM
Are you afraid of what your family will say?

demi
02-04-2013, 02:10 PM
Mostly, yes. It's just the fact I've been hiding it so long that I think they might doubt me. I don't want them to be disappointed. It might be a big shock and I'm scared for their reaction. How was your experience?

Brittanyyyy
02-04-2013, 02:15 PM
The thing I was most scared of was checking into counseling. I seriously thought they were gonna tell me I was crazy and would be concerned about some of the symptoms I was having. Once I went, they made me feel so much better and it makes you realize so many people go through this. As far as telling my family, I was really scared because some of the stuff going on with me sounded crazy!! And I didn't fully understand it myself so I wasn't sure how to tell them. But you gotta remember it's your family, they will love and understand you. What you're going through isnt abnormal, it's not your FAULT, it just happens. I think your family will be supportive and will want to help you get through this. You need all the support you can get so don't be afraid! Having family and counseling support is the only thing that got me to the stable point I'm at right now. You've always got people on here for support too!!

demi
02-04-2013, 02:21 PM
That's exactly what I thought, that they might think I'm crazy :( But I do feel a bit better about going now you've told me all that. If it's helped you so much it's worth a shot. Thankyou so much for the advice, it's exactly why I came here :) Means a lot!

Brittanyyyy
02-04-2013, 02:30 PM
Anytime! This stuff is scary when it actually happens to you so if I could be help in any way to someone else, that's all I want. You can message me anytime!!

AlyMHill
02-04-2013, 02:32 PM
Hey do not be afraid of what people will say! "Those who matter don't mind and those who mind don't matter." That is one of the truest things I've ever learned. I was worried that people would look down on me. When I finally sought help mainly because of my Husband helping me realize that it was time. I opened up. I met people all over and even some people already in my life who have had what I have and have been helping me daily. It will be tough. You will get upset but guess what? You can do this!

Brittanyyyy
02-04-2013, 02:38 PM
So right AlyMHil!!!!

demi
02-04-2013, 03:05 PM
Thankyou so much AlyMHill, that's a big help to me :) I appreciate that. Glad you're on your way to recovery!