I Don't know what to do...?!
Question: I Don't know what to do...?
I am seventeen years old and a junior in high school. Ever since at least fifth grade I have been having panic attacks in public places. I don't show it on the outside, except I'm really quiet and shy, but on the inside I'm a nervous wreck; I can't even understand when people are talking because it just sounds like gibberish to me. I don't faint or anything extreme like that, although I do feel shaky sometimes. I am constantly worrying about escape routes and when I'll get to go home and feel secure again. I'm not sociable unless you have already gotten to know me (most of my friends I've known for a long time, before my panic attacks started). I really don't know what to do about this and I don't see any possible reason for what may have caused this. I am tired of being stressed out all the time and so scared and shy that I'm basically anti-social. I don't know what to do about this, can anyone suggest something? Does anyone know whats wrong with me?
I tried talking to my parents, but their advice is to just get over it or write my feelings down, but that doesn't seem to be working. I'm almost eighteen so I can be legally responsible for myself, and I just think that I won't get over this and it is only getting worse. What do you suggest I do?
Thank you so much in advance.
Answers:
You may want to see a therapist to help learn some strategies to help you to cope. This is a relatively common issue that can be treated with a combination of medication and psychotherapy. There are options through universities sometimes that offer inexpensive or free therapy, if I was you I'd look into it.
Put yourself in uncomfortable situations. Go shopping in the mall by yourself or something. I used to be the same way, and then I joined figure skating and I had to compete in front of huge crowds. I got over it fast. :)
Just get a part time job that involves talking to other people and you'll get over it.
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