Hi! I'm a newbie (of course) I am 15 years old and I live in the UK. I like learning new things, music, ice skating, writing and reading and lots of other things too.

I have had anxiety since I was about 4 or 5 and it has got worse as I've got older. I am scared of dogs, I have emetophobia (fear of being sick) and I have social phobia as well as general anxiety and panic attacks. I was also labelled as an 'anxious refuser' because of my extreme fear of school. I am glad to know I'm not the only one with these terrible fears and feelings. I have spent 10 years trying to hide them. My dad and a few other people have always made me feel quite guilty about it, like it's my fault, like I have a bad, flawed personality. I am making some progress now and I finally have an understanding psychologist who will hopefully be able to help.

That was quite long! I didn't mean to say so much. Um...hiya!

Hi Demi and a very warm welcome to Ofear

Its great you have joined us and im sure you will get some great advice for everything you have mentioned in your introduction and you will make some new friends along the way.

Take care

John

Hello Demi ,
Good to have you here.
We have a few your age and they're lots of fun and very nice, so have a read and join in =D

Demi Wrote:I have had anxiety since I was about 4 or 5 and it has got worse as I've got older. I am scared of dogs, I have emetophobia (fear of being sick) and I have social phobia as well as general anxiety and panic attacks. I was also labelled as an 'anxious refuser' because of my extreme fear of school. I am glad to know I'm not the only one with these terrible fears and feelings.

Hi Demi, I have Social Phobia too., I used to get panic attacks. I have them under control now, and I can also tell you 5% of the population, mainly women suffer from GAD, so you are far from alone. _cheesygrin::

Quote:I have spent 10 years trying to hide them. My dad and a few other people have always made me feel quite guilty about it, like it's my fault, like I have a bad, flawed personality.

I used to be the same until I started to look in the my condition, then I managed to get my SP under control. What caused my relapse is I split up with my partner with some interference from family and friends, but I am slowly getting myself back together.

Quote:I am making some progress now and I finally have an understanding psychologist who will hopefully be able to help.

Good I am glad. ssmile I have been here about a month and not feeling under pressure to be perfect or be judged has helped my self-esteem no end. I hope it does the same for you.

Quote:That was quite long! I didn't mean to say so much. Um...hiya!

:laugh: No, you fire away, it is always good to hear each others stories because then we realise we are no different to anyone else except we have slightly raised anxiety levels which have been allowed to get out of control. Although I imagine your psychologist has already explain this to you. happy3

Hope to catch you later Demi.

Hello and welcome

Welcome to Ofear Demi!