Question
I'm 16 and have anxiety my parents don't think I do even after 4 panic attacks and being recommended to a therapist.
Struggles: School, Social/Friendships, Eating Patterns
Age: 16 Gender: Female
Answer from Anxend experts
I am sorry to hear that you have been struggling.
Anxiety can sometimes be difficult for others to see. It is not like having a broken leg with an obvious cast and crutches.
It is important to try and have a proper 2-way conversation with your parents. It feels very
uncomfortable to not be listened to properly or be understood. Do you know why your parents
think that you do not have anxiety? It would be good to have a shared understanding of how you are feeling. You can then build on that to try and get the right help. Your parents may need some help from you to understand how you are feeling. Anxiety is much more common than most people realise.
Have you considered the GAD-7 test that is on our website. The results of this simple test could give you something to talk to your parents about your anxiety.
Panic attacks are very uncomfortable and frightening and a good indicator that your anxiety levels are raised.
I wonder who has suggested that you need therapy and why they suggested it. Again, that might be something to discuss with your parents.
If you feel that your parents are not able to help you have you considered talking with a trusted family friend or schoolteacher? Your school may have access to counselling services that might be able to help. Your local GP should also be able to help you confidentially. You can make your own appointment if you want to.
Anxend also offers help for people with anxiety. The details are on our website. Anxend is a private service so your parents would need to pay for this. We also have other free resources on the site that could help your understanding.
If you are really struggling please reach out for help, either to the NHS or charities such as the Samaritans
Here are several crisis services available to you:
A&E: If your child is at immediate risk of harm to themselves
or others then please take them straight to A&E.
Hope Line UK: works with those that struggle with thoughts about ending their life. It is a specialist telephone service staffed by trained professionals who give non-judgemental support, practical advice and information to children, teenagers and young people up to the age of 35 who are worried about how they are feeling or anyone who is concerned about a young person. The helpline can be contacted via telephone (0800 068 41 41), email (pat@papyrus-uk.org) or SMS (07786 209697)
Samaritans: Tel: 116 123 (24hr) - www.samaritans.org - Online and telephone support for young people and families
ChildLine, Tel: 0800 1111
Extended Hope, out of hours: 01483 517898
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