Hi guys, I'm a 20 year old male and I decided I can't put off trying to manage the overall anxiety I am experiencing any longer. Being a combination of not having the best insurance and having other medical conditions has stopped me from seeking help with this problem I've realistically had since I was about 13 or 14. I remember 9th grade I signed up for a debate class for next year. I remember the first day of that class having to do a speech in front of the class and I sounded like an idiot. I was noticeably nervous and even the teacher privately told me I was and asked if I wanted to talk about it or something. Of course I said no. I never had problems speaking in front of classes or being anxious is general before that year; I never would have signed up for that class if I was like that before.

Well fast forward to now at 20 and I've suffered and developed less than most people because of this problem. I'm not as bad as that debate class year but I'm still struggling to survive and overall just be happy and focus on things rather than fearing something silly. I don't want to be too specific for this initial post but here are the main symptoms I have.

1. I do really bad in evaluative and performance situations because I'm nervous. Pretty much anything like running a cash register where I have to do a task for someone, I do really bad. 2. I'm nervous about EVERYTHING socially. To be honest, I hate talking to anyone I don't know well. Even if I have to do something simple/basic like ask a teacher about something privately, I feel my heart pounding. Same with having to make a comment in class or having to call to set an appointment. If someone asks me something suddenly like if I know where this train going, I get really nervous. I'm even nervous when grocery store cashiers and people with similar jobs greet you and ask you how you are doing. 3. I get poor or below what I should results on things like Exams, Job interviews, etc. I'll study my butt of, know all the material, what I'm going to say, etc. and I forget quite a bit of it because I'm nervous. 4. I'm just a worry wart about everything in general. When me and a friend go hiking I'm usually stressed or nervous about finding the place and getting lost even though realistically there's 2 of us, we always find the place, even if we didn't we'd just hang out or go somewhere we've already been. I just get stressed or anxious about every little thing. 5. I am a horrible sleeper and sometimes I can't sleep for no apparent reason but there are definitely a lot of times where I don't sleep because I'm either stressed, anxious, or both. 6. I get really stressed out when I have lots to do (I think I have ADD as well).

So sorry this post was so long, but those are my main symptoms. Sadly I could go into so much more depth with all of them. I'm stressed or anxious about basically everything. I especially get stressed out about anything involving other people. I don't just get stressed out at social events like parties, speeches in front of classes, etc but in literally any situation where I have to say even one or two words. But I was hoping you guys would try to help me out and I will do the same for you.

First of all, I'd like to know about possible medication treatments: what are some of the names and/ or are they expensive or have negative side effects? Secondly, what other management techniques do you guys use? Usually right after exercise or after going hiking or hanging out with a friend is when I feel my calmest. But I've fallen of of a exercise routine and sadly only have a couple friends and don't have tons of time to see them more than about once a week.