hi guys i’ve been feeling extremely overwhelmed because of anxiety recently and i just need some advice on how to get better.
im 16 and i have been struggling with separation anxiety for years, but it has suddenly become 10x worse in the past few weeks and i don’t know why. every time i’m separated from my family, i start to get very bad thoughts, even if they are just going to the store that’s literally 5 minutes away, or walking the dog right outside the house. i have to be checking their location from my phone constantly. when i send them a text or call them, i start having uncontrollable panic attacks if they don’t respond quickly. these panic attacks make my mind go almost completely blank, and i would get the urge to scream and hit things around me and cry. i would also feel extremely alone, like im the only person in the world and that nobody can help me. this happens around 2-3 times a week and i’ve become really exhausted because of it. i’ve also started to harm myself because of how bad i feel.
i’ve tried multiple grounding techniques including putting my face in a bowl of ice cold water when i’m having a panic attack, but it would only work for a few seconds before my panic comes back. they just don’t really seem to help. i also can’t tell anybody about how i’m feeling because i don’t want them to worry about me, so i can’t go to therapy or take medication. i often feel hopeless because nothing has ever truly helped and i feel like i will never get better. i also cry a lot of times when i think about how bad my anxiety is and i just want to live a normal life. i’ve been losing a lot of sleep and i can’t remember the last time i was not anxious.
i’m just hoping for some reassurance or advice on lifestyle changes that will slowly make me feel happier and less anxious, and please don’t be scared to be brutally honest to me. i really need some tips because i feel like i can’t stand living like this anymore.