I have always been a nervous person, even as a child. I was the kid who worried about the other kids who liked to do daring things on the playground, like when they jumped from the swing, or when they slid down the slide. I refused to join them, but I would try to protect them somehow.
I am 21 now, and it never occurred to me that there might be something wrong with the way I worry too much. I've spent nights in bed worrying about the next day and the years of the future. I dwell on negative past experiences until I break down. It gets hard to breathe, my heart beat becomes really fast, a million thoughts race through my head.
Overall, I'm used to it... which makes it feel normal... So I've never told a professional because I don't know when the feeling is actually considered "bad". The thing is, I think I'm going to die early someday because my heart does this a lot, and I would really like to tell someone so that I can be better... but I don't know who to tell and how. I am also scared that I won't be taken seriously... partly because I am a university student and people like to blame things on the stress of school.
Thanks for any tips, info, or suggestions.