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How Do I Talk To My Parents About This Anxiety Without Them Laughing at Me?
I know no one on here are doctors but I just need a little help before I see one. I think I have anxiety. I'm already freaking out about high school and that's a year away. (I'm in 8th). Besides being just nervous about things I'm also nervous of getting lightheaded. I've seen many doctors about this but they don't know what it is. Ive gotten dizzy before a concert which makes me think it's anxiety. Whenever I'm nervous it happens because I work myself up over things. When something is out of the ordinary it might happen. Also how can I introduce thus idea to my parents without them laughing so I can get proper help. Thank you.
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It sounds to me as if you're in the first stages of panic attacks, worrying about something that might/might not happen for some reason.
Cognitive behaviour therapy, relaxation therapy or hypnosis may help you, giving you a different pattern of behaviour when you start to worry. I think you could access this through your doctor, or maybe the phone directory people.
Panic attacks can be awful, in worst-case- scenarios they can make you think you're about to die. I've never heard of someone dying from a panic attack. They are very common, most people will admit to having them occasionally. The main problem is when they become a habit, happening regularly over small things. They can then take over the sufferers life, so they won't face the things that worry them, open spaces, enclosed spaces, spiders, being sick, germs, the list is endless. It is important that you treat this behaviour as soon as possible to avoid it escalating.
As to your parents, I'd tell them when you feel the time is right, but before you make any appointments. If you explain it as you have here, I doubt they'll laugh. You may find they're aware of your problem and have been waiting for you to mention it. In any case, you'll need their support with any treatment you have.
Hope this helps, let me know how you get on? It's probably nosey of me, but I like to think I've helped. Good luck!
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Being in the eight grade could put you at an age where you do not need parental permission or accompaniment to visit a doctor. If you are 14 years of age or older you have medical privacy and confidentiality under the law. You can seek medical assistance without parental permission. The Law is a Federal Law known as HIPPA. If you are not 14 then the law does not yet cover you.
Anxiety is usually caused by stress. In your case you are stressing about High School, this is very normal. My son was anxious about going to middle school and high school. The bad thing about stress is it can lead to clinical depression, not to be confused with manic depression aka bipolar depression. There is a big difference between the two.
Clinical depression is more of a medical condition in so far as one of two hormones is not being secreted in enough quantity to ward of the depression you are feeling. This is easily treated with drug therapy. Teenage depression is very common; more common then most parent want to admit. Most parents see teenage depression as a phase their child is going through which they will grow out of. Most times the child will grow out of the depression as they mature and learn to deal with the stressors. It is far easier for the child if their is medical intervention.
The anxiety attacks, the lightheadedness are all the result of stressors that could be indicators of teenage depression. Sometimes doctors don't see the ques or clues because they are not raised during the exam for different reasons. If mom is in the exam room you may be afraid to say something to the doctor. Mom may dismiss something you say and the doctor takes her word for it over yours.
You need to be screened for depression. If you are over 14 you can ask the doctor for the screening yourself. As the HIPPA law provides for medical privacy this means mom cannot be in the exam room with you while the doctor examines you. You can request mom wait in the waiting room and the doctor will see to it that your request is honored. Nothing said between you and the doctor can be told to your mother, or anyone else without your written consent.
Do not allow yourself to be forced to provide your consent if you don't want to. Having medical privacy means the you can be totally open with your doctor without fear of anything getting back to your parents. This is why the law was written the way it was. There are exceptions and the doctor will explain those exceptions to you.
If you are under 14 ask a teacher or school nurse to talk to your mom about having you screened for depression.
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