New Member Here.

[kadmack]

Hi, I'm 17 and I go to college and I have major Anxiety related to college. I have only recently seen the major effects of Anxiety through various Panic Attacks (usual symptoms) however, moments of anxiety can be traced back to Year 9.

This anxiety has caused me to lack the motivation to do anything, waking up late and not being worried about my punctuality to college, not doing any work when I get home from college because the day has been overwhelming from the sheer stress of it all.

I go to CAMHS and have had regular sessions there but, I honetly don't they are working, it's not addressing the issues. Also, I am under the impression that people think i'm trunting when I have a panic attack, which is not true. Also, seems that the people don't understand me when I'm talking about anxiety and think it's just a one time thing or a rare event which it is not becasue it has been going on for 4 years...

So, I have turned to here so, I can find some help.

[Hidden]

Hi. Sorry you are having such a hard time. The first thing I want you to know is this - you are most welcome here and you will get support and understanding from everyone on here with no judgements being made.

It is hard for people who dont any anxiety issues to understand and empathise with those of us who do. It is not a broken leg that you can see - it can seem like scary 'mental problem' or even just a way of getting out of doing things and staying in bed all day.

In one way they are not far off the truth - it is a psychological illness. For many people it also produces physical symptoms - lots of them.

I am not sure who you see at CAHMS - psychiatrist or therapist, but probably a psychiatrist I think.

In my experience as a therapist for 30 years, a psychological illness requires a psychological treatment plan. And I dont mean a once a month hour long meeting with the psychiatrist - I mean a properly thought out individually tailored, goal-oriented care plan for your treatment that is reviewed on a regular basis for evaluation purposes.

The question is whether or not that type of service is available to you. But I take the view that if you dont ask you dont get. So I would advise you to ask your doctor what is available to you in terms of therapy. If going to CAMHS is not helping you then you need to find something that will. Just because you are 17 does not mean you can't have an input into your own treatment.

AS for those who think you are just 'playing up' - that is something you will find a lot of. It is frustrating and insulting - but in time those people might come to understand more about your illness. In the meantime you can come here for support and understanding.

Karl