school help: I am having anxiety attacks. - Help.com

I am having anxiety attacks.

I am reposting this because I didn’t get much response the first time. I’m a 9th grade girl at a very prestigious K-12 private school in Washington, D.C. For my own K-8 years, I was at a different, much smaller, much less academically challenging school in the suburbs, which I loved and had fast friends at (it was home for me). I graduated that school and have been attending the K-12 school (school x) for a little over 3 weeks. My biggest challenges are that I am taking advanced biology and running cross country, playing in the orchestra and taking private music lessons.
My issue is that I have been having anxiety attacks nightly since school started. These attacks are comprised of serious crying and hyperventilating. Most days, I feel depressed and anxious, and at night I cry profusely. Except when I am sleeping, all I can think about is how I don’t want to go to school, or how I wish I were at home (the latter occurs when I am at school). School x is very challenging by nature academically, and for a girl who is used to being the top of her class and never being challenged, the shock of this new environment is taking its toll.
Also, I feel like none of the kids that have been at school x since before 9th grade have any desire to be my friend. No one has been outwardly mean, but no one has been particularly warm (they’re all in their own groups), and I have noticed that none of the other new students are spending time alone like I am.
I’ve never had these issues before. A few days ago, I came home from school, and told my parents (who have been extremely supportive throughout this mess, and are acquainted intimately with my issue) that I hated school and cross country. The thought of going to school makes me want to fake sick or be actually sick, and it makes me depressed and anxious to the point of nausea.
So, I guess my question is: Is this worth going to therapy over? Should I be doing something differently? Do you have any miscellaneous advice for a sad school-goer?

This open post was written 2 years, 8 months ago | V/U/S: 509, 1, 2 | Edit Post | Leave a reply | Report Post


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Since writing this post empuppy55 may have helped people, but has not within the last 4 days. empuppy55 is not a verified member, has been around for 2 years, 8 months and has 1 posts and 1 replies to their name.

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school, Issue, home, Private school, Private Music, cross country, Fast Friends, Environment, differently, Washington, anxiety attacks, new school, Adolescence (How Tags Affect Reciprocity)

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sara.summers20 offline Verified User (2 years, 8 months) Long Term User Shouts: 1 #
An Unknown Location | 2 years, 8 months ago (25 minutes after post)

I think maybe talking to someone professionally could def help. At the least, you would get to voice your feelings and emotions, and maybe they could help pinpoint their roots and also offer insight into what to do. It is definitely something I would look into.

Until then, why not just take a stroll and do some self reflection and think about what REALLY matters in life and ways you can gain confidence and improve yourself. I think maybe you’re just having a hard time dealing with the fact of not being on top anymore, and that can be a staggering feeling for anyone. I’ve dealt with it before and I felt inferior and useless for a while, until I realized that life goes on and in the end, yes grades matter, but it also matters what we do with our lives. Try to work with your parents to hammer out a better study schedule (or maybe even a professional can identify what study method works best for you), but also look into getting involved in other activities that show your interest in the community. Trust me, grades matter for college apps, but so do showing you are involved in community activities. Give up x-country if you hate it. WHY would you subject yourself to it if you don’t like it? It’s time consuming and you could be studying or doing something else you enjoy. Live your life for yourself–It isn’t about what your parents expect or what THEY want. They had their go-around. But, I will say it is great that they are supportive and know your situation.

Maybe it will help ease you into this environment more. Of course you feel out of sorts-chances are a good deal of people there feel similar ways. When you find your rhythm, it will get better. You just need to work on finding it. :o) you’re only 3 weeks in. Give it time and try to talk to someone about these attacks.

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Help me with: I’ve fallen out with almost every person I thought was a friend.

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