I'm unsure what's wrong me me..

[Rameses]

I'm 17 and from the UK, I've been reading people's post and often I can relate to a lot of feelings that other people have.

I can't really pin point an exact time when I started feeling different but from a young age I haven't felt myself. I would constantly worry over small things and be physically sick at night due to worrying but never knowing what to do. This would happen for months at a time until I get through hard times.

When large events happen I often become overwhelmed and these things start to come back.

2016 was a hard year for me, firstly my uncle died and it seem to affect me a lot but I had no way to express how I was feeling, I feel back into my old ways where I would worry at night until I was sick. After a few months I began to cope better and these things stopped until my friend died, I became a different person I never spoke to anyone for a few days and my teachers noticed a change in my behaviour so I was sent to our school counsellor. I visited her for an hour a week but often felt awkward as it was in college time so I acted as of everything was ok so I didn't haven't to go back as people in my class began to notice and would comment on where I was going. Again after time I began to cope with things.

That brings me until present day, I got a job over Christmas and have began to hate it but I don't want to quit as it gets me out the house for a few hours at night. Over the past week things have began to get hard and is causing me to feel overwhelmed...

I have to make a uni decision, start mock exams, finish Welsh bacc work, work at night and finish assignments. Everything has just gotten too much for me and I don't know what to do, I'm having trouble sleeping, I don't eat properly and have no motivation to do anything.

Any advice would be amazing, I've never been to a doctor or taken tablets.

(Sorry for bad grammar or spelling just trying to find out why I'm like this..)

[unvirtuous]

I get the same way you do. I didn't know how to handle it at first and I ended up scratching my face, back, and just about anywhere my hands could reach until I left marks. I have scarring from that, I don't think it was a pain infliction thing because I didn't feel pain when I did it so noooo I'm not crazy..

But what helps me is talking to someone about it, making new friends or talking to people already close to me. Anyone you know you can trust is good but even a stranger could help because they don't know you and can help you think clearly about it. Exercising and going out to new places seems to help too. I go to the beach and swim because I'm too lazy to actually work out and get sweaty. I think you should try going out somewhere new, maybe somewhere where you'd do more walking than usual or swim or even play an outdoorsy game like frisbee. It could help and if it does you wont have to worry about expensive medications and side effects and doctor visits.

and hey if you ever need a friend or someone to talk to I'm usually free.

[Rameses in reply to unvirtuous]

Thank you! I'm just unsure what to do about my job, I've seem to have been feeling more down since starting. Should I just leave it and focus on my studies?

[unvirtuous in reply to Rameses]

Well, I don't know if you need the money or experience or something like that. You could make a pros and cons list? Working and studying sounds very stressful though and I don't think anyone would blame you for quitting.

If you need anything else we could exchange contact information through messages? If you want.

[Hidden]

I'm in my fifties so not sure how teenagers see life. From what you say and I agree with the replay above, you are taking too much on, I'd pack the job in while you are studying.

Are you sure you want to go to Uni? What about finding work instead, there should be plenty for anyone with 5 GCSEs - have a look - I found uni stressful and regretted ever going.

Are you interested in faith and God at all? All this worry is what Christians call 'the flesh' - its weak and susceptible to fear, worry, anxiety and is a result of man's fall in genesis 3- the Christian journey is about putting the flesh to death and living in the power of the holy spirit, though you have to give him full authority over your life - that's the difficult bit but Jesus promises a yoke that is easy to bear for those who come to him - you might be a bit young yet though for this.

In any case there are certain behaviors you might think about

- take an interest in other people, ie try and listen to them , even though you might not be interested

- try and be content with yourself and where you are in life

-try and adopt a more humble mindset, don't expect too much, accept boredom/lack of interest in things - learn to cope with the dross

These things aren't easy, but work on them and persevere and it will make a difference.

cheers for now, keep in touch

Rich

by the way, don't take this is from a councillor miles older who doesn't really understand - I suffer a lot and have done for years

[Rameses in reply to Hidden]

Thank you both for your comments means a lot that someone has taken the time to reply. I've spoken to my boss and I'm going to try and reduce my hours. currently I'm working 25 hours a week plus college, along with volunteers for my welsh Bacc. I feel that two days would be best and not having to work on weekends means I have time for friends and just living life a little more.

[JR81]

I guess you are just so stressed and warned don't let it caught you. Perhaps you should do something else what makes you feel great. If you like doing sports then go on, that would benefits you physically and mentally. I would always advice people to do sports like running or simply jog and then go for pen and paper, writing your thoughts whether it is something positive or negative, write them down especially if you can't speak about it to anyone...good luck and take it easy...xx