[veryconfused08]

Hi everybody, I am a high school junior and for several years I have had very poor self-esteem and recently it has gotten much much worse.

I used to have straight As but now my grades are terrible and I have no motivation. It's because all I do is worry, and it distracts me from my work and makes me feel horrible.

Maybe it sounds like a teenager problem, but I genuinely worry all day long that no man will ever find me attractive. The different reasons as to why that might be true change very often, and usually they sound like crazy conspiracy theories (at the time that I am worrying though, they feel very real.) I check different things online for validation, but it never works because even when I see something positive I can't help but assume people are just lying.

Obviously I know that social anxiety and insecurity are issues that many people struggle with. But I have read some online articles online about different mental problems and I have never seen anyone who acts like I do.
Is this some type of anxiety or...?

[*Laurie*]

Hi vc08, Welcome to PC. What you've described sounds like a combination of things. Low self-esteem, being a teen, and anxiety that either makes you feel less attractive or that comes from having low self-esteem. (It's like 'chicken and egg'.) I'd say there's definitely anxiety involved with how you are feeling.

[veryconfused08]

Originally Posted by *Laurie*

Hi vc08, Welcome to PC. What you've described sounds like a combination of things. Low self-esteem, being a teen, and anxiety that either makes you feel less attractive or that comes from having low self-esteem. (It's like 'chicken and egg'.) I'd say there's definitely anxiety involved with how you are feeling.

Thank you, Laurie. I suspected that was true but I'm just looking to see what others think.

[Thunder Bow]

See a counselor on this if you can.

[reb569]

Originally Posted by veryconfused08

Hi everybody, I am a high school junior and for several years I have had very poor self-esteem and recently it has gotten much much worse.

I used to have straight As but now my grades are terrible and I have no motivation. It's because all I do is worry, and it distracts me from my work and makes me feel horrible.

Maybe it sounds like a teenager problem, but I genuinely worry all day long that no man will ever find me attractive. The different reasons as to why that might be true change very often, and usually they sound like crazy conspiracy theories (at the time that I am worrying though, they feel very real.) I check different things online for validation, but it never works because even when I see something positive I can't help but assume people are just lying.

Obviously I know that social anxiety and insecurity are issues that many people struggle with. But I have read some online articles online about different mental problems and I have never seen anyone who acts like I do.
Is this some type of anxiety or...?

I highly recommend getting a therapist or counselor. Or go see your school counselor (usually a social worker or psychologist) and talk to him or her.

The school psychologist at my daughter's school was instrumental in helping her get through her senior year. He actually went to bat for her when the principal and her guidance counselor wanted to prevent her from going on her senior trip because of her MI diagnosis (the school knew only because she shared it with a teacher who didn't understand the concept of privacy) and she was able to go and have a great time with no issues. If nothing else, your school counselor may be able to refer you to an outside therapist. Other options are a trusted teacher, school nurse or your family doctor.

[veryconfused08]

Thank you guys. I'm going to follow your advice and talk to someone.