[TheManInBlack97]

I'm an 18 yr old who struggles with anxiety. Ever since a surgery in May 2015, I became depressed, but along with it came anxiety. Every day I worry about something bad happening to me, whether it be a car crash, violent crime, or illness killing me. It is extremely hard for me to ever think about my future goals due to me believing I will die before I get to achieve anything. Just looking for input, thank you.

[Angelique67]

Hi, I'm really sorry to hear about this anxiety. Have you been to see anyone about it? I wish I knew what to say.

[TheManInBlack97]

Originally Posted by Angelique67

Hi, I'm really sorry to hear about this anxiety. Have you been to see anyone about it? I wish I knew what to say.

I haven't. Mainly due to the fact that I'm quite worried what my family or friends. It's also due to the fact that I'be been to my doctor so many times for my healthy anxiety that I'm not sure I should go back. Thank you.

[Angelique67]

Originally Posted by TheManInBlack97

I haven't. Mainly due to the fact that I'm quite worried what my family or friends. It's also due to the fact that I'be been to my doctor so many times for my healthy anxiety that I'm not sure I should go back. Thank you.

I wish they could give you some meds for that, but not benzos, they're too hard to get off of.

[Skeezyks]

Hello TheManInBlack97: Well... the simple answer here is... therapy. Having the opportunity to talk through what is going on with you, with a skilled mental health professional, is the most direct method of addressing this.

Continuing to allow your fears & anxiety to rattle around in your brain is a prescription for ongoing unhappiness. There is a sense in which your brain is sort-of like a landscape. If you keep walking the same routes through it over-&-over again, over time, pathways become worn into it. And, after while, your thoughts will just continue to ramble down the same pathways again-&-again to the point where they become ruts you can't get out of even if you want to. (Perhaps you're already well on your way there.) It's important to break the cycle... the sooner the better.

I know you said you've talked with your doctor about this many times. However, general practice doctors (which I assume this doctor is) are not trained to treat mental health issues & their not therapists. I know you also said you're worried about your family & friends. And this is certainly a legitimate concern. But to hide what is going on with you in an effort to "protect" your family & friends from it, or to protect yourself from presumed embarrassment, is really doing yourself more harm in the long run. The best way, perhaps the only way, to resolve what is going on with you is to reach out for help in real life. Of course, being here on PC can help too. So do keep posting!

Are there other ways to approach this? Sure. Physical exercise is great for anxiety & depression. You could take up a sport of some sort & channel your anxiety into the pursuit of excellence in sport. Or another alternative is you could take up the practices of the types of self-help techniques that are taught within the Buddhist tradition. And there are probably other options as well. But assuming these sorts of things don't appeal to you, then therapy is the alternative.

By the way, are you familiar with California therapist Kati Morton? Kati uploads mental health related videos onto her YouTube channel. She's also on Facebook, Twitter & lots of other social media. You might find some of Kati's videos to be of benefit.

[TheManInBlack97]

Originally Posted by Skeezyks

Hello TheManInBlack97: Well... the simple answer here is... therapy. Having the opportunity to talk through what is going on with you, with a skilled mental health professional, is the most direct method of addressing this.

Continuing to allow your fears & anxiety to rattle around in your brain is a prescription for ongoing unhappiness. There is a sense in which your brain is sort-of like a landscape. If you keep walking the same routes through it over-&-over again, over time, pathways become worn into it. And, after while, your thoughts will just continue to ramble down the same pathways again-&-again to the point where they become ruts you can't get out of even if you want to. (Perhaps you're already well on your way there.) It's important to break the cycle... the sooner the better.

I know you said you've talked with your doctor about this many times. However, general practice doctors (which I assume this doctor is) are not trained to treat mental health issues & their not therapists. I know you also said you're worried about your family & friends. And this is certainly a legitimate concern. But to hide what is going on with you in an effort to "protect" your family & friends from it, or to protect yourself from presumed embarrassment, is really doing yourself more harm in the long run. The best way, perhaps the only way, to resolve what is going on with you is to reach out for help in real life. Of course, being here on PC can help too. So do keep posting!

Are there other ways to approach this? Sure. Physical exercise is great for anxiety & depression. You could take up a sport of some sort & channel your anxiety into the pursuit of excellence in sport. Or another alternative is you could take up the practices of the types of self-help techniques that are taught within the Buddhist tradition. And there are probably other options as well. But assuming these sorts of things don't appeal to you, then therapy is the alternative.

By the way, are you familiar with California therapist Kati Morton? Kati uploads mental health related videos onto her YouTube channel. She's also on Facebook, Twitter & lots of other social media. You might find some of Kati's videos to be of benefit.

I actually am not familiar with Kati Morton. I will definitely look her up. Thank you for recommending therapy, I will try looking into it so that I get the help I need. Thank you again.