How should I tell my parents about my anxiety problem?

Question

I believe I have an axiety problem. Now I don't know for sure if this is true because a professional hasn't diagnosed me with anything but I am almost certain I do have one. I am constantly nervous, in public I am constantly thinking about how people are viewing me at the time. Everything I do I try to hide because I don't want people to view me differently because I will get embarassed. My palms are CONSTANTLY sweaty because I am always nervous. I'm very shy and hardly speak to anyone I don't know well, and I hate it! I used to not care because I didn't think it'd effect me much in life. But now I am 16 and in my sophomore year in high school and things are just way harder when I think like this. I want help, but it's going to be hard to tell my parents because my dad is always angry and thinks he is always right. I know if I told him I have anxiety he'd just say "You damn teenagers always think of excuses in life!" and yell at me. How should I tell my parents about this?

Answer 1

well here's what i did, and you can manipulate it to fit your own situation if you like;
i said mom i want to talk to a therapist and she said well okay but whats it about and i just told her i didn't feel comfortable telling her yet..
so she took me to see one and the therapist helped diagnose me but then she referred me to pyschitrist to make sure and for medication..
with help of my therapist we told my mom what was going on and she took it well.
good luck and please don't put this off because you are worried what your parents will think. this is serious and it gets in the way of your life. btw i'm sixteen too..

Answer 2

You know, that sounds familiar. I was exactly the same at your age. And anxiety disorders were not very well recognized at the time (saying that makes me feel so old !:-). But the thing is I grew out of it, by doing things which forced me to speak in public, like theater (that's a wonderful therapy, that is). Now I'm very happy to have gotten out of it, because I often have to speak in front of audiences, since as a researcher I must present my findings in conferences. I still get the nerves (with migraine and nausea to boot), but I manage.

My parents were a little the same as yours, but by explaining how I felt, I think they at least ended up understanding, at least partially. Also, I was lucky enough to get help at school through a voluntary group therapy, in which they also invited my parents to explain my troubles to them.

If there are any such programs at your school, I encourage you to go there. If there aren't, you might maybe speak to the school nurse to know what kind of help you can get, and get her to speak with your parents.

Answer 3

Consider going to a Bible-based church youth group with one of your friends. Find out if there is a person you can talk to about this. Also, at 16 you can approach mental health centers, they have anxiety specialists that can help. Your local hospital will be able to refer you. First do your homework to get to know all you can about it, who knows, you may even find the answer. Your parents, your dad especially is probably anxious about his life, and taking care of the family, financial, or job pressures, a boatload of things that can impact the way he behaves. That is not your responsibility, yours is to find the solutions to help you move forward in life. Hope it helps some!

Answer 4

I have read some litterature about panic attacks. But they allways seem to have a more scientific approach and that is nothing I need in my struggle to survive those horrible panic attacks. This is a "hand on" and very practical book. I felt it was written to me. I am sure that you are going to feel the same.

Joe Barry writes exactly how I think. The examples are perfectly described. And the method is genius. I recommend this book and thanks Joe Barry for writing it. It changes your life

Answer 5

I'd talk to a counselor at school. Explain it to them and then let them explain it to your parents, and then you guys can all talk it over. Parents are often more willing to accept what they hear from a professional. You could also see a therapist and go that route.

Answer 6

Honestly, I don't think the way you tell them matters. As long as you're being sincere, talk to them. They need to know that this is a real issue and it's negatively affecting your life. Be honest, make sure they know you're being honest. Ask them to make a doctor's appointment or a psychologist appointment.