[LTIZEL]

I am 15 and crippled by anxiety. Ive had it since I can remember. I am afraid of the sun exploding/ the apocolypse, flying in planes. etc. Ive seen a pschiatrist, it feels like ive tried everything. I am so nervous all the time it feels like i am going to pass out. Its getting worse everyday it feels like. Somebody give me advice please I dont know wat to do!!!!

[Soul Quake]

At fifteen you most certainly have not tried everything. Have you ever been to therapy? If so, what was the approach? Did you undergo exposure treatments?

[lastyearisblank]

First, the sun is not going to explode.

Second of all, I don't know if you do this, but DON'T EVER DRINK COFFEE!

When you are anxious, I have found the important thing is to a) stay grounded and b) distract, distract, distract...

I have found some relaxation techniques to be helpful. When I am feeling especially bad, I wiggle my toes in my shoes. Do you have a favorite song you can listen to when you're stressed?

When you are overwhelmed, it is helpful to distract yourself with things you can hear, touch, feel, smell or taste because it keeps you from focusing on your fears.

Don't forget your hobbies and strengths. What are you good at? If you feel positive about yourself, it will feel easier to cope with stress even if the apocalypse is around the corner.

You can also google "progressive muscle relaxation" or "deep breathing" for some techniques to stay calm. Good luck and hope this helps!

[Perna]

I would have my parents take me to my primary care doctor for a checkup with blood and urine tests, make sure there were no obvious physical problems (quite likely due to your age).

[Skully]

Have you tried meditation? I find that it works well for anxiety. If you do it first thing in the morning it puts you into a relaxed state for the rest of the day. Below is a link on how to get started if you are interested:
http://www.wikihow.com/Meditate

[LTIZEL]

Ive been to therapy and i had a coupke of sessions of hypnosis or whatever they call it, but it doesnt help. I dont have any caffine ever anymore to help stop my anxiety attacks.

[lizardlady]

You said you are seeing a psychiatrist. Have you told your doc that things are not getting better?

[Soul Quake]

Originally Posted by LTIZEL

Ive been to therapy and i had a coupke of sessions of hypnosis or whatever they call it, but it doesnt help.

So? Try a different method. Go to someone else. Don't stop until you find something that resonates with you.

DBT

[billieJ]

dear Ltizel - i remember being anxious as a teen, and this continues to some extent, but your psychiatrist, or possibly a different one, should be able to help. There are also some web sites that help, but i'm sorry, i don't know what they are. You should be able to find something under "help for anxiety" or something similar. I can't recommend meds due to your age, but concentrating on others and the problems they may be having, should help. Everyone has problems, and asking them questions about themselves shows interest and takes your mind off your fears. No, the sun won't explode; those of us who are here during the apocolypse will survive it; and air travel is the safest way to go. I know this doesn't cover your fears, but just remember that your anxiety makes things seem worse than they are!! billieJ

[Bill3]

Perhaps this little video would be useful, it is mindfulness exercise that could be used during the day.

[Rifler]

Hi!

I've been suffering from anxiety/panic attacks since I was 17, and I'm now 39. The most effective tool for me has been mindfulness meditation. It should be noted that I am on meds and I do go to therapy regularly, but the meditation seems to bring things down immediately. I personally prefer Jon Kabat-Zinn, you can find him on youtube. When I first started meditating, I was pretty convinced that this would be just another thing my therapist wanted me to try that wouldn't work. After all, it's been over 20 years, countless therapists, rigorous meds, seriously? Meditation? No way, I thought. It's all bull anyway, I thought. I was extremely skeptic. But, I thought, OK, I'll give it a shot, what do I have to lose? My first week of meditating, I had to force myself to do it. It felt like a waste of time. I either fell asleep or just sat there thinking about everything else I should be doing. Or thinking that I wanted to kill that dang dog that wouldn't stop barking. Or thinking that meditation was bull. Or thinking that I would never ever be able to focus on my breathing without changing it so much! But, I stuck with it. And after about a month, I realized that my anxiety and stress levels were about 1/2 of what they used to be and that all of my mysterious aches and pains were suddenly gone. What?! When did that happen? When I started meditation. Now, I won't go a day without it. Might be worth a try...

[sunsetsunrise]

Oh this does sound so painful. I am sorry you are dealing with this. Sometimes it may be the 10th person or the 15th person who someone finds can really help. So please never give up. there are people who can help. There are things that will help.

Maybe your huge job is to never ever think that you have tried everything, if ya know what I mean. Please keep on trying different people and things until you finally find what does help. And maybe it will end up being a combo of many things that helps. I want to tell you something that a doctor once told me. Healing is a journey, not an event. So just know that one person may help a bit or a lot. And then you may be led to something else. But I deeply believe there is help for you. Just keep trying. And never give up. okay?