[JustDontAsk]

Alright, so here is the thread I created about 17 hours ago...

http://forums.psychcentral.com/showthread.php?t=236146

And now I have a letter written. I want to share it with anyone who would like to read it. I'm looking for any kind of encouragement, constructive criticism, ideas, or just general comments...It's going to be difficult to actually follow through with the plan. This letter is written to my dad.

Here it is!

I don’t want to talk about this in person, so if you have anything to ask me, please do it through email until I’m comfortable talking about this in person.

I’d like to start by talking about some of my fears. A lot of fear has come from the thought of telling someone I am struggling. The fear is based around the thoughts that once somebody knows, I won’t be accepted by that person or I will not be able to live my life without someone being all over me all the time. I feel like I would be monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. And I don’t want to lose my independence. Another part of the fear is not knowing how you will react. So I suppose the majority of the fear is fear of the unknown. And sometimes I think that even if I tell someone, I will not get the help I need. I don’t know if that is the truth or not. I feel like I need to go see some sort of professional to get help with this. I don’t know where you want to start. That part is up to you. I don’t know if I should be going to the doctor or what, but I need something more than I have already. Also, a lot of fear has come from writing this letter. It has taken a lot to write it. And even more to send it. I feel like that is important to share for some reason.

I have tried to do some things to try to help myself before sending this to you, but nothing has really worked so far. I told Coach first around December of my junior year. We talk about this when I need to, and we both agreed that I should go see the school counselor. So I did that too. Honestly, I’m writing this because Coach has helped me get to this point. I don’t think I’m ready to give the letter to you, but honestly, I don’t think I ever would be. I’ve done some things for myself, but it hasn’t worked for me yet.

I’ve been struggling with a lot of intense emotions, and I don’t know how to deal with them. And I can’t figure it out on my own. I get a lot of anger sometimes, and the other main thing I feel like I struggle with is anxiety. I need some help somehow to learn how to figure this out. I feel like this is why I need some professional help.

I feel really vulnerable for writing this. I hope you can see that. I’m giving you the opportunity to help me out, because otherwise I cannot do anything until I am 18. And I feel like that is too far away. If I didn’t feel that way, I would wait it out and get help myself. All I ask is that you believe me when I tell you that I need help, and that you do not judge me for it. All I know is that I am tired of pretending like I am okay when I’m not, so I want to do something about it.

And I’d like to wait to tell mom. I think we both know she would be the one to freak out and bother me all the time. I decided to share this with you because I’m pretty sure you won’t do that to me.

And that's all. I'd like to thank anyone who read this. Again, any responses would be greatly appreciated. I feel kind of vulnerable for throwing this out there as it is. And I'm not even giving it to my dad yet...

Oh well. I might get there some day. I hope you are all well.

Thanks again,

JDA

Looks like a well written message to me.
If it was me I think I'd just go ahead and pass the letter on and get the ball rolling. You can work out ground rules for keeping your independence when you sit down to talk.
I wish you the best of luck with this.

[jlmass]

The letter is from the heart. You need to give it to your Dad and start to get the help you are looking for.

[JustDontAsk]

Thanks for the feedback. I really appreciate it.

[BatsAndButterflies]

Wonderful JDA! I hope it goes over well with your Dad! Keep up posted! The letter looks very well written and from the heart.

[JustDontAsk]

Okay, I will. Thanks.

JDA

[katieranger]

amazing jda!! absolutely amazing. im so proud of you! i never had the guts to do this. let us know how it goes!!

[JustDontAsk]

Thanks katieranger, I will.

This is a very good letter. I am a dad who very recently helped my teenage through some tough times. The first step is the hardest and This is a Very Good one.

Email, texts and letters are a great way to talk through difficult things. You don't have the pressure that a conversation brings.

I hope everything goes well for you.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[uchiha]

Wow! The mere fact you have acknowledge that you need help and have taken the time to write a letter that comes from the heart shows that you are ready. Send it. I believe you will be able to handle whatever comes.

Nice job!