I don't know where to go for help :'(

[arcticgeorge]

I'm a 6ft 16 year old boy and I'm suffering from panic attacks and separation anxiety (Is that what you call it?)

I'm really close with my mum, and I know pretty much everyone is, but I am insanely close with my mum, we get on so well and I love her so much, anyway I have panic attacks quite a lot, especially when I either can't sleep or when I wake up in the middle of the night and start to freak out my mum is always there for me to comfort me and to tell me that everything is going to be alright

I know this isn't normal so please don't judge me but i really need some help before I freak out tonight

When I can't sleep it feels like I'm the only person in the whole world who is awake and I start to panic, problem 1.

Problem 2. my mum has gone away for a week, I know it isn't along time but, anyway, now if I panic I don't have anyone to talk to and I start to freak out all on my own at night which just wakes me up even more, I don't know if anyone else suffers from this but I just thought I might be able to get some help here.

thanks :S

[AnnaAbbey]

Aww,, Don't worry .. Confidently,.. I'm here for you

[Mortal Coil]

It's normal to hold onto something and be terrified of letting it go, and it happens to everyone, even if they aren't in your exact situation. Maybe, just for this week, you could take sleeping pills, just until you can get to a doctor for your panic attacks.

You have the support of the VT community, so chin up!

[Amaryllis]

Panic attacks and anxiety are really, really difficult things to go through. We won't judge you badly here, sweetheart. Most of us have our own unordinary problems.

You and I are different, obviously, but when I have panic attacks, I try not to move. But that's because when I do, I hurt myself and others. You might be different but still, trying to keep your body calm is the first step to calming your mind.

You feel like you're the only person awake in the world so perhaps you could come online and realise hey, someone else is awake. Obviously, getting to your laptop and waiting for it to load feels like a long, long time when you're filled with so much fear. Sometimes you might be so terrified, you can't even move.

Visualise a place or a memory where you feel completely safe. A time with your mum, perhaps. Hold onto that image and breathe. In. Out. My hypnotherapist used to tell me to count down from 100. If you don't want to count, feel your toes (with your mind) and think "Relax." Then go up your body. Toes, feet, calves, knees, thighs, hips, stomach, chest, neck, scalp, face (eyes, nose, mouth).

Consciously tell yourself to relax. You could even try putting on relaxing music.

You could also write down everything in your head. Let the anxiety pour into the paper.

Everything is a process. Be aware of your panic attacks each time and remind yourself that's what it is. Let the thoughts come, acknowledge them and let them slip. They're just thoughts. Not facts. Someone else out there in the world is awake and your mother is thinking of you even when she isn't there.

Bit by bit, your anxiety should become easier to cope with. Perhaps go to a therapist or counsellor? Anyhow, take care and all the best. I hope you'll be okay. Stay strong, love.

-Amaryllis

[arcticgeorge]

Thank you so much for this guys :) i will try all of your suggestions, thanks a lot again Amaryllis it's nice to know I'm not the only one going through this, I suppose it's a little more difficult where you're in a place where people don't want you to go onto the computer even if you panic at night but it has really helped me before and I will be doing this if I really can't get to sleep

Those suggestions are just great especially when they are coming from people my age who have had professional help :)

I seemed to do alright last night but when I'm at my dads I know it's going to be hard so i'll have to end up coming on the computer and I'll probably see some of you in the chat room :P

Thanks a lot once again

Arctic

[Noxail]

I know I'm a little late here, but I go through panic attacks quite often, when I get stressed I just snap into one. It's hard to deal with, more so by yourself. It's not odd for you to have such a close bond with your mum, that's fine, at least you haven't pushed the entire world away. Me, being the helpless Insomniac I am, I'm up almost all night long, so if you want to mesage me, or talk to me in general, I'm normally up and active on VT, just not posting :P You're not alone ~Holli

[arcticgeorge]

Thank you so much for your support, I'll do what i did last night to try and get to sleep, I did wake up last night and started to panic but I pulled myself together and ended up falling asleep, but if it happens tonight I will come on vt and see if you're online :) it's nice to know someone is kind of expecting you in a way :)

Thanks a lot

Oh and if you have skype just add arcticmunkii

[arcticgeorge]

Because I don't think I can message you until 100 posts or something :S

[Teenage heart throb]

Maybe while your mom is gone, you could sleep with something that reminds you of your mom like an old stuffed animal or something. Just to feel like she's there with you
I hope you do alright!

[arcticgeorge]

I do have something :), it's just a lot deeper that anything you could imagine, it's taken over my life and I'm finding it really hard, for example her phone is off and so is her friends, and it seems like the end of the world to me, that tiny loss of contact terrifies me I just want her to be ok and for her to let me know, I don't know what to fucking do T_T

[oneDay]

It's okay George, we're here for you. It may be difficult to control your panic attacks but try your hardest to help yourself in that situation. You could try and relax yourself by gently rubbing you shoulders, arms, abdomen, or anywhere you can physically comfort yourself. And don't be afraid to talk yourself into relaxing; try softly speaking words that comfort your mind and body a little.
Don't worry, it'll all be over soon.