School and Anxiety Disorder ?

Something tells me that school and anxiety disorders don't mix...
I suffer from G.A.D. (http://www.helpguide.org/mental/generali...
It is a horrible condition. I worry and worry and get depressed over little and silly things or nothing even. But school just makes it way worse (in fact, school caused it!) I find it hard to cope with the pressure of crap friends, school work, picky teachers and bullys...every day I dread going because I jump to a conclusion that something horrible will happen, and it sticks in my head and when it comes, nothing happens. I went to see a counselor about it and I'm going through the evaluation period, I went in Feb and she told me that it would be 2 or 3 months before I would be getting weekly sessions again...I need something to keep me going until then...I don't think I'll go on because I can't take all this worrying that I can't control. Help ?

i think you should definately be getting help if you are suffering from gad this young.is the councelor through your gp or school.they should try getting you help earlier because the earlier these things are sorted the better.push for what you should get.help.remember things canand will get better.gud luk

Sounds like severe anxiety.. yes the doctor should do something about this.. I don't think this is depression you worry about every eventuality of what bad stuff might happen and you are stressed from the exams and everthing around you.. this sounds a lot like anxiety... I guess the councellor wants to wait because in most cases helping you involves medication .. I wish they would use therapy but they hand out meds and you don't know what side effects they have on your body just before exams... but yes medication against anxiety is a temporary solution. but in your case I think the symtoms will go when the stress goes and when you try to help yourself by trying to relax more.. do some yoga or meditating. for relaxation...I am sure you got some friends at school talk to them.... it's a good thing you get sessions... medication is not really the answer to everthing I should know I suffer from anxiety and I take meds...xxx G.A.D of course Generalized Anxiety Disorder.. gotcha.. I unstand you.. hang on in there!!!

I once suffered with Generalized Anxiety Disorder myself, while I was also dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder after witnessing the terrible death of my mother. You need a doctor to prescribe you medication, and you need the help of a professional therapist. I refused to hide behind medication myself at first, but then I began to see a Clinical Psychologist who convinced me otherwise. She saved my life. All I can really tell you is that with the right help you WILL get better. Please hang in there, and give life a chance.

When I was at school 25 years ago, I suffered from a similar feeling to yours every day.

back then nobody really gave a damn though, so I ended up bunking off and not taking any exams.

So think yourself lucky that people care more now & are willing to help you.

You know, I created a mantra when I was at school and it went

"This day today is the last... monday,tuesday,wednesday,etc.. of this year & in my whole life that I will have to come to this awful place and be with these awful insensitive cruel people"

Sorry to be answering, but not answering your question, but the link you gave didn't work...??

I'm not completely sure what you mean, but what do you normally do, or what had you been doing to keep your worrying at bay? Is there any way your family can help?

You are sensitive, and the school environment is extremely insensitive. Sensitivity is a strength. The more you see that your 'fears' don't come true, let your sensitivity tune INTO that reality. Be sensitive to the fact that even though school triggers your anxiety it usually won't cause added 'harm' to you. I know, anxiety itself feels 'harmful', but what if you tried to think of your strengths instead of your 'weaknesses'? Sensitivity is actually a 'strength'. You are a very 'alert' individual. You know how to tune into reality, because believe me highschool is an 'insane' environment, and that's THE TRUTH. Your anxiety is just reacting to that reality. To help yourself do this...when you dwell on things....try to begin to dwell ON THE FLIP SIDE...that is...take your negative assessment, turn it around, and think about it in a way that turns it 'positive'.....in your mind...tell yourself.....this ISN'T MY FAULT, nor is it the fault of my anxiousness......it is just the way it is. For instance, if someone is a bully, instead of blaming them or yourself....try to think about WHY they might be a bully. Maybe they are mistreated or abused themselves. Maybe someone who is being in a rotten mood had a big loss recently. There is no perfect solution, but I hope looking at the flip side will help you cope, that's all. Thinking of yourself in a 'positive light' will also help....thinking about your STRENGTHS AND GOOD QUALITIES...I know you have them.....celebrate them inside your soul, especially at times when you feel uncertain.........Sincerely, Sola

You dont say how old you are, but im guessing in your teens..my son (7) suffers from anxiety in a similar way as a result of Aspergers syndrome (a form of autism). Im not saying you have the same thing, just that I've seen how horribly this can affect even young people. If you can, try talking to your Mum/Dad- I realise its not always easy but they need to know exactly how much you are struggling. The extent of my sons problem only came out at a psychology session with the result that the psychologist advised he stop attending school immediately. Your feeling that you cant go on is worying, as it indicates some underlying depression I think (im not an expert tho). Can you get your Mum to go with you to the Drs and help explain this, even ask for an urgent psychology referral to CAMHS. (child and adolescent mental health service). your problem needs to be taken seriously and it may be that you too would benefit from a time of not attending school, until you have the help you need with your anxiety. there is a home tuition service that the LEA MUST provide for children unable to attend school for health reasons, including mental health reasons. its only 5 hrs aweek tho but you wil probably learn more in that time if you are less anxious than you do all day at school. Failing this, please go to your Dr yourself as i think its important you get help before it all becomes too much. there are so many pressures out there for young people. you have nothing to be ashamed of by admitting you need this help. in fact you should be proud that you are brave enough to own up to it. Do seek help soon. If its desperate the samaritans or childline will at least listen. take care of yourself, i hope it all gets easier soon.

My son suffers the same thing! I'm not sure how schools work in your country.

My son was sent to a hospital day school after he did not do well at public school. He had the same problems you just described--bully's, picky teachers, and we both feel that school has helped to cause the anxiety to get worse.

This hospital day school (3 months he was there) sent him to a private day school.

He was put in classes with violent kids, that swore and would go up to him and say disgusting things. He hated it and started getting suicidal, too. The last straw came when he was sent to a (time-out) for something totally stupid. I questioned the teacher on this and she came across as quite the bully.

He is now homeschooled until we can get him caught up in his studies. His anxiety is getting worse because he does not have contact with other kids and does not get out much. We signed him up for tennis. He seems okay with that. Guitar lessons too. He likes adults better than kids his own age.

There truly is a body chemistry problem going on here. His flight or fight mechanism in his body seems to work on overdrive. We will try some medicine at low doses to just at least help not be so miserable.

Please tell you parents how you feel. If they are jerks and say it's all a part of being a kid, tell them you want to go to the hospital now! If they do not listen--call the police and they will take you.

Although there are some really good teachers out there, there are some really bad ones too. Do you have a teacher you can talk too. Kids here can drop out of school at 16, and take adult classes progressing at their pace, and earn a diploma just the same.

I hope you have understanding parents. This homeschooling thing is great. My son works hard at his studies, takes lots of breaks. It takes a lot of discipline to be homeschooled. I like the internet, everything I need to teach him is here. Haven't spent too much money either.

I hope everything works out for you. Please do not hurt yourself! By how you express yourself, I can tell you are very smart! Smarter than me! Would be a shame if you were not around.