AboutDaryl Taylor, BSc(Hons) Psychology Expertise As a former youth worker, working in the UK and as a Camp Counsellor in the US, I have volunteered and helped young people from all over the world. I have worked for two or three websites like this in the past since I was about 13/14 and I continue to do so now at the age of 23. I can answer problems on a whole range of issues from friends and family, to drugs, sex, alcohol and relationships etc.
Experience I have worked as a youth worker for local organisations, volunteered on this and other websites giving out information for about 8 years, volunteered at my college and university doing face to face counselling and I have recently worked for an organisation in the UK which specialises in helping young people aged 13-19 to make positive decisions in their lives. I have featured in a UK based magazine called Aim Higher as a case study to show triumpth through adversity and I have recieved an Adult Learner's Award for my pioneering work at college.
Question Im 16 and from wisconsin, USA and i have really bad anxiety and panic attacks. Like its really bad, My parents are psycho! I cant talk to them about anything, they make everything worse and say things like they hate me. I talked to my school counselor about my anxiety and she said in order to get help she need to tell my mom. Well after awhile i agreed. And now i got pills but my mom doesnt even let me take them or the full dosage, she thinks im making this up! She also told me not to talk to the counselor anymore. The thing is ive been having suicidal thoughts for a while now even before my anxiety. Its becoming a big problem and affecting me at school and when im with my friends and especially when im alone. I cant talk to my counselor now because if i do she will have to tell my mom which will make things worse. Im also scared to tell her because i dont know what shes gunna do. I dont know how shes gunna help because obviously i wont be able to get medicine to help. I dont know what to do! IM SO SCARED! What do i? Im losing control of myself, i dont even know who i am anymore.
Answer Krystal,
If you have been given medication for anxiety by a doctor and your parents are not letting you take either the full dose or any at all, then your parents could be doing you some harm and this needs to be stopped for the benefit of your health.
Your parents may not understand what anxiety/panic attacks are and that is why they are so unsympathetic about the condition; but if your counselor has spoken to them and they are still being like this, then you have to consider the possibility of what action needs to be taken.
If you are getting suicidal thoughts then you deffinately need to talk to a counselor again; but if you do, it is likely that they will have to tell your parents again. counselors have a 'duty of care' to you and this means that if they feel you are in danger or going to be put in danger, they have to tell your parents by law. If however, you think it won't make a difference and explain this to your counselor, then action may need to be taken to ensure that you are put in a position where your health takes priority.
This is about what you want to do and there is no right or wrong answer, but if your parents are not supporting you and you are feeling this down and suicidal, talking to someone about this may help and explaining your situation may also help to ensure you get the help you need.
