I have recently found out that I am suffering from anxiety. And I have been having extremely bad panic attacks. I am scared that when I tell my mum she is going to think that I am faking it. Also is anxiety a mental health issue? As well as all if this I am scred that when I tell my from tutor she will tell the whole class and they will buly me. Please help I'm and really scared
Sam
Hi there,
Anxiety is a really common mental health problem, and can affect people in different ways. It's natural to have worries about how anxiety might affect you so I’m really glad you wrote to me and I'm really glad you wrote to me about this.
Some people get panic attacks when they feel very anxious. This can have really scary physical and emotional symptoms, so it can really help to have people who understand this supporting you.
Anxiety can have a big impact on a person’s life, so it's a really good idea to talk to a doctor to get support. Perhaps you can ask a friend to go with you if you’re feeling worried about this.
It can be hard to know how people will react. But if you feel ready to talk to an adult you trust like a teacher, they should always be there to support you. It would never be ok for a teacher to tell your class your private information without you saying this is okay. Sometimes a teacher may need to talk to other staff at school about what you've told them. But this would only be to help you get the support you need.
Letting your school know how your anxiety affects you could help your school put things in place to help you manage your anxiety. And it can really help to know that there’s support available because it means you don’t have to cope on your own. But remember, it’s always your choice to tell a teacher.
Sometimes the worry of what someone will say or do can stop us asking for help. I know that the Childline counsellors talk to lots of people who feel their worries are stopping them from doing things. And they are there to support you with whatever’s going on for you 24 hours a day. Lots of young people tell me that talking through their feelings can help them feel more able to cope.
You could also look at Young Minds or The Mix for more support. This is not something you have to go through alone.
Take care,
Sam
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