[Sabz04]

I've never posted something like this on a website before let alone share my feelings with someone in real life, but it's getting to a point where I need someone else's opinion on this.
I'm 18 years old and I've just finished my last year of high school. I've dealt with panic attacks for nearly 10 years now, they started when I was young and have gotten worse and more frequent as I've gotten older. At first I thought this was just because of the stress of exams and school, but now I'm not so sure.
My current situation is this: I feel anxious everyday, no matter where I am, even at home, at random points in the day I get that anxious feeling in my chest and my breathing rate and heart rate increase, sometimes accompanied by hot or cold flashes. It feels like I'm on the verge of a bad panic attack but I'm not quite there, like its building up. I also have problems with confidence. I really hate applying for jobs because i absolutely dread the thought of an interview. I know that if I ever did turn up to an interview I'd probably be on the verge of hyperventilating. I'm 18 and I can't even talk on the phone. I never answer it unless it's my close family or close friends and i always get my mum to ring places for me. I know I DONT have a social anxiety. I can go out the house and I can socialise with friends and people at school, so I know it's not a social phobia (although on my bad days I have avoided a couple of family events in the past, including meeting my sister, and I get very nervous talking to adults but I think that's normal?)
I've also recently been thinking a lot about death. It really scares me. Like really scares me. To the point where I don't even want to sleep because closing my eyes means I think about it. It's gotten to a point where I've been crying myself to sleep.
I just want to know if I should see someone about this. I'm scared to talk to my parents even though they're so supportive with everything I do - I don't want to make a big deal about nothing. I just don't know how to stop feeling the way I do. When I'm distracted I'm actually quite a happy person, I like to go out and have fun. But when I'm alone and my thoughts take over... It's bad. I just don't know if these feelings will go away on their own, or if I actually do have some form of anxiety and need to talk to someone about it?
If anyone has had similar experiences or any advice (any advice at all - I'm desperate) id really appreciate you letting me know. The worst thing is I'm doing exams right now, so the additional stress is not helping at all.

[Crazy Hitch]

I'm glad you've managed to share with us here Sabz. Thank you.

Your anxiety has been quite continuous and ongoing and is causing you distress in different areas of your life.

My personal opinion is that it's seriously impacting on your ability to get on and enjoy even every day activities because this is zapping you from all sides.

I found some cool Blogs here on PsychCentral for you.

You may wish to have a quick read through them

Top 10 Lesser-Known Self-Help Strategies for Anxiety | Psych Central

11 Tips to Help Manage Anxiety | World of Psychology

[wa(o)rrior]

Dear friend

What you experience is GAD(Generalized Anxiety Disorder) and from what you said about it being everyday then it's chronic. Good that you have identified your symptoms and you are able to express it clearly. being young you need to tell this to your parents. they can take you to a therapist who will be able to talk you thru it. well if you want to try out some self-help tools you can try deep breathing, meditation, EFT, Progressive muscle relaxation techniques. you can find video tutorials in internet and youtube.

if these don't work then you need medication. but now since you are facing your exams you can meet your GP who can prescribe something to help you relax. once you are done with the exams, approach a therapist who can help you thru this. Good luck and lots of hugs

[Sabz04]

Originally Posted by wa(o)rrior

Dear friend

What you experience is GAD(Generalized Anxiety Disorder) and from what you said about it being everyday then it's chronic. Good that you have identified your symptoms and you are able to express it clearly. being young you need to tell this to your parents. they can take you to a therapist who will be able to talk you thru it. well if you want to try out some self-help tools you can try deep breathing, meditation, EFT, Progressive muscle relaxation techniques. you can find video tutorials in internet and youtube.

if these don't work then you need medication. but now since you are facing your exams you can meet your GP who can prescribe something to help you relax. once you are done with the exams, approach a therapist who can help you thru this. Good luck and lots of hugs

Thanks so much for your reply! My exams finish in a few days so I'm thinking of letting my parents know if the symptoms show no signs of improving. *hugs*

[Sabz04]

[QUOTE=Hooligan;4497579]I'm glad you've managed to share with us here Sabz. Thank you.

Your anxiety has been quite continuous and ongoing and is causing you distress in different areas of your life.

My personal opinion is that it's seriously impacting on your ability to get on and enjoy even every day activities because this is zapping you from all sides.

I found some cool Blogs here on PsychCentral for you.

You may wish to have a quick read through them

Thank you for this, I really appreciate it. I'll definitely have a look through these posts :-)

[Liinu]

I don't really have any words of wisdom but I just wanted to say that it will be okay and you won't feel like this forever. That's just what I kept telling myself when I was really struggling.

[Sabz04]

Originally Posted by Liinu

I don't really have any words of wisdom but I just wanted to say that it will be okay and you won't feel like this forever. That's just what I kept telling myself when I was really struggling.

I really hope so thank you