Hello, I am a 14 year old boy, and I am almost positive that I have social anxiety. I am going to be a freshman in a couple weeks, and my anxiety has been going on for over a year now( it started in 7th grade ) it is getting to the point where I want to get help. I jus don't know how to start the conversation with my parents. I know what to say once it's started. Do I just straight up say "mom, I think I have anxiety." Please let me know how to tell them because I want to be able to enjoy my high school years and get better as soon as possible. ( By the way my brother has anxiety so my parents already know all about it )
Telling my parents?!?
- Thread starter Billy638
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Oh my gosh I went through this exact same thing when I was a teenager (well, at least 18). You’ve done very well to indentify your problem at your age! I was living with my dad at the time, thankfully he’s a social worker so hearing I had social anxiety was nothing compared to what he’s used to in his job.
i would just get it out the way quickly and tell them, it’s in your family already don’t worry I’m sure they will understand. They will get you the help you need. Therapy and medication can do wonders, especially as you’ve diagnosed it from an early age. I wish you luck buddy.
i would just get it out the way quickly and tell them, it’s in your family already don’t worry I’m sure they will understand. They will get you the help you need. Therapy and medication can do wonders, especially as you’ve diagnosed it from an early age. I wish you luck buddy.
Myownworstenemy
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Yes tell your mom. Let her help you. Anxiety is a real issue and you are way to young to live like that. I hope you feel better soon.
But how do I bring it up to them? I don't know how to start the conversation about it. When we are in the same room should I just say "Mom I think I have anxiety," or do I talk to her about something else then change the subject to my anxiety? I'm pretty sure she thinks that something is up but whenever she would ask me if something was wrong I would say that I am fine.
I understand your situation, I know It’s hard to know what to say, I think I just said it straight to my dad in a quiet moment. After I said it I was very relieved! Do you know how your brother told your parents he had anxiety? What he said? Or did they already know?
I don't know how he told them, but I do know that it took him a long time to get help. In think that my parents just figured it out and got him help. Also, how long did it take for your parents to get you help after you told them?
MasterRoshi
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Great to see you’re reaching out so young! I’m 32 years old and I have been dealing with what I thought was a mysterious thing that no one else had for about 15 years...
it took a lot of pain and people leaving me due to my depression and anxiety before I had the courage to reach out to loved ones and tell them what was going on.
I can tell you it is the greatest thing I have ever done. The support from my parents both emotional and with paying for my therapy... I thought I was alone in this and the healing process only started when I opened my mouth and told people about it.
My advice is for you to do what you said just say “mom I think I have anxiety.” And go from there.
It’s not something to be scared of or ashamed of. I don’t know if it’s true but I recently heard that 80% of all Americans have seen a doctor for some sort of emotional/mental disorder in their lifetime and in his society loads of people deal with anxiety specifically.
I wish there were better coping skills taught in school, and maybe one day there will be, but for now give yourself a chance to heal and learn some new coping skills by reaching out to your parents and depending on what they say going to therapy.
Best of luck and hang in there!
EDIT
Oh and just to give some perspective, I still have intense anxiety, but it’s way better than before. I’ve been changing my habits and doing work on myself for about 5 months, and before I couldn’t even go into target sometimes cuz the panic would be too great. And today I went to get a haircut by myself and I did ok. Had some thoughts to turn around and go home (when parking was a nightmare) but stuck it out and successfully got my hair cut.
So there’s hope.
it took a lot of pain and people leaving me due to my depression and anxiety before I had the courage to reach out to loved ones and tell them what was going on.
I can tell you it is the greatest thing I have ever done. The support from my parents both emotional and with paying for my therapy... I thought I was alone in this and the healing process only started when I opened my mouth and told people about it.
My advice is for you to do what you said just say “mom I think I have anxiety.” And go from there.
It’s not something to be scared of or ashamed of. I don’t know if it’s true but I recently heard that 80% of all Americans have seen a doctor for some sort of emotional/mental disorder in their lifetime and in his society loads of people deal with anxiety specifically.
I wish there were better coping skills taught in school, and maybe one day there will be, but for now give yourself a chance to heal and learn some new coping skills by reaching out to your parents and depending on what they say going to therapy.
Best of luck and hang in there!
EDIT
Oh and just to give some perspective, I still have intense anxiety, but it’s way better than before. I’ve been changing my habits and doing work on myself for about 5 months, and before I couldn’t even go into target sometimes cuz the panic would be too great. And today I went to get a haircut by myself and I did ok. Had some thoughts to turn around and go home (when parking was a nightmare) but stuck it out and successfully got my hair cut.
So there’s hope.