Some Mental Health Concerns

So for a while i have been thinking that i have developed PTSD/CPTSD from certain events that have happened in the past few years of my life. I already have diagnosed anxiety and ADHD. I was looking on the NHS website and i match quite a few of the things on there. I have expressed my concerns with one of my school teachers and she is trying to support me as best as possible but i am too scared to bring it up to my parents at they are very anti-mental health and don't think it is that important or that it actually effects me.
so i am a bit stuck do i bring it up to my parents and risk getting scolded or try and go behind their backs and go to the GP alone???
Does anyone have any advice on what to do?

Reply 1

Davenursing

The first step I'd recommend is to speak to a parent and ask them to book you a GP appointment.
There are some free online peer support communities and online support services for young people like you. Check out Kooth or youngminds.org

Reply 2

measley_weasley

That sounds really tough, and reaching out to your parents can feel really daunting, especially with anxiety as you can begin to catastrophize and imagine the worst case scenario. I think if I were you, I would go to my parents, since not telling them can cause you distress because it might be stressful hiding things from them. You will probably have to talk to them at some point down the line either way, so doing it early will help. In my experience, a lot of people are 'anti mental health' when it comes to 'labels', rather than when it comes to reaching out for support. When you talk to your parents, it could be helpful to talk to them about symptoms you are experiencing, and how you want to go to the GP not for a diagnosis but more to get support for what you are struggling with. Remember that it could come to them as a shock, and you don't have to tell them anything you don't want to, but it is in a parent's nature to worry, and their concern could come across supportive, or judgemental. Either way, they will still want what's best for you, so try to convey that this is something that you think will help you, and something that you want, regardless of their concerns.
I've attached some links which you might find helpful.

https://au.reachout.com/articles/6-tips-for-talking-to-your-parents-about-mental-health
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/your-guide-to-support/reaching-out-for-help/#Howtoaskforhelp
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/your-guide-to-support/how-to-speak-to-your-gp/

Just know as well, that anxiety is really hard to cope with, but you don't have to cope with it alone. Living with anxiety can make the whole world seem like its against you, and that the worst case scenario will always happen. You are constantly living in your own head, but anxiety doesn't have to rule your whole life and you can learn to cope with it. No matter how it goes with your parents, you deserve to get the support you need.
Good luck, and keep going. Fight for the support you need x