Anxiety Support Group

Anxiety is a physical condition marked by intense and persistent feelings of distress, fear, angst or dread. General anxiety caused by routine day-to-day stresses usually passes quickly and is experienced by almost everyone at one time or another. However, such feelings that linger over time and are very difficult to cope with, and which lack a clear cause, may indicate...

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eg24136
eg24136

Hello. I am a junior in high school. My anxiety started in 8th grade, and I guess it just really came out of the blue. That's the year I started missing a lot of school. I think i missed over 40 days, but I wasn't close with my dad (I didn't live with my mom) and if I told him what I was going through, I don't think he would've understood. Moving on, I moved in with my mom (in a different state) and went to a brand new high school with brand new kids. I knew absolutely no one, and there were almost 3,000 kids in my school. I thought it would be a good oportunity to start over, but that's not really what happened. I made some friends, but no actual great relationships. I think it was being lonely that really took a tole on me. Freshman year was okay, it went by fast. Sophomore year was really great in the beginning because I had a little group of friends. Towards the end of sophomore year, I wasn't friends with those people anymore and I was feeling really alone. I have always been really socially awkward, and very very shy. I cannot talk in class, I can't present, I can't make small talk. I would go to my guidance counselor almost everyday. I think the end of sophomore year is when it got really bad. Then came junior year. I think I went for about two weeks before I decided I could not mentally go to school anymore, so I was enrolled in online school. I kind of feel like it has made it worse because I literally have zero social contact, but I don't know. I have pushed any friends I did have away, and I just don't know what to do. 

Jenessence
Jenessence
Hi E, I'm sorry you're going through that. Can you speak with your mom about how you're feeling? I can relate to what you're going through. I was the same way over 20 years ago when I was in HS (very quiet, couldn't make myself talk in class, or make small talk). My parents didn't understand the struggles at school even though they knew how I was with being shy and having anxiety attacks. Finally, when I was 18, I was able to tell them I needed to see a doctor about it, that it was really affecting me. I saw a counselor and psychiatrist at a local clinic. It started me down the path of learning more about what was going on and strategies to help. Hopefully, maybe you can speak with your mom? And of course post on the boards here and elsewhere where there's a supportive environment with people who understand. Know you're not alone and it's not your fault. With the right treatment, things do get better!!! Wishing you the best and keep in touch!
Hopeful777
Hopeful777
While I cannot tell you enough how sorry I am you are experiencing this, I am so encouraged at such a young age you are recognizing it and seeking help. It sounds like you craze social interaction, but it can be so difficult with anxiety. I hope you are able to manage it enough to determine to get involved socially...small steps and small victories. Does the online schooling offer any type of gatherings for those schooled at home that you could start out with?
ellomalley
ellomalley
hi, i can relate to you. i was very shy and socially isolated in school. i did have some friends. i transferred schools in fifth grade, and it was very hard not knowing anyone. i felt like everyone was talking about me being the "new kid" etc. and it was uncomfortable. i was very quiet in school also. i ended up graduating early to get the heck out of high school. i didnt fit in. but i hope you know youre not alone and find what helps you during those moments of loneliness and frustration. its good you are talking about this because when i was in hs i didnt talk about it, i for the most part just bottled it up and dealt with it, but on the inside yeah it sucked. so yeah i encourage u to keep on going in school, whatever you have to do. education is important
arfie
arfie
Putting these confusions into words and finding a place where I feel safe saying those words out loud is always my first step toward figuring out what to do about them.

Keep sorting, Eg. Your answers are in there. Listening. . .
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