Ask Sam letter

Hi there,

I’m glad you thought of writing to me since you’d like help with how worried you feel when your parents are out. If they’re out and aren’t able to answer the phone, you worry about them and you’ve had these feelings since you were quite small. Everyone worries, but I know for some the worry can feel quite big and difficult to control.

One thing I’d like to know is if you’ve been able to tell your parents how much you worry when you’re left home alone. Are there other times or other situations that make you feel as worried? I wonder if that’s something you could talk to them about too. You don’t tell me how old you are but anxiety can affect people of all ages and in many different ways. It's important to know that there are many ways to deal with it too.

You can take a look at our anxiety page. This might give you more information and help you feel a bit less alone with your anxious feelings. If telling a parent how you feel seems too hard to do, it might be a good idea to ask a parent to look at our website with you. You could show them the information on anxiety and let your parent know it describes how you sometimes feel. But that’s just an idea and you may come up with a better idea for how you might talk about this with a parent.

You could also take a look at the anxiety message board where young people support one another by posting comments. You may find some of the posts helpful. If nothing else, I hope it helps you feel a bit less alone with your difficult feelings.
 
Anxiety can affect almost anyone and ChildLine counsellors will do their best to listen and help you feel understood and supported. There are three different ways you can contact them – with an online chat, or a free phone call or an email.

You’ve been very brave writing to me.

Take care,

Sam