Anxiety disorder at university
Hi all, I started uni just two weeks ago. I've always struggled with severe anxiety and panic attacks, not really related to any one thing, but obviously worsened by high stress environments. At the start of sixth form, I never thought I'd make it to any uni, let alone the one I'm currently attending, since my panic attacks were so severe I couldn't even make it to my lessons. I managed to work through it though, with help from my family, teachers and a really supportive friend group, and ended up having an incredibly joyful and fulfilling time during A-Levels. I was so excited to go to university; I worked so hard to get the grades, worked so hard to manage my anxiety enough to let me sit my exams. Now that I'm here though, I feel like I've been kicked back to square one. I miss my friends so much, but I don't want to reach out to them, they seem like theyre having so much fun at their own unis, meeting a ton of new people. I did everything right these past two weeks - I resisted the urge to hide in my room and went out, tried to socialise with my flatmates, went out with a different group of people every night, joined a bunch of societies and went to their socals etc. but for all taht i just feel numb and scared. I worked so hard and now I can't enjoy any of it because I'm using all my energy just to avoid sobbing, just to look like I'm having fun. I constantly feel on the verge of vomiting and hyperventaling, I feel like I'm dreaming, like my body isn't even mine anymore. I feel like I'm going crazy, and I can't tell anyone because no one cares, everyone that knows me and loves me is miles away, living their own separate lives. Even though I've been trying to form new connections, I find myself unable to truly click with anyone, and feel like I drain the energy from any situation, like a dead weight in any social gathering. My flatmates are all so outgoing and confident, they don't understand why I'm not, and I feel like they dislike me, or think that I dislike them. I can't even taste my food anymore. I just feel totally lost, like I'm constantly falling.
Sorry for the wall of text, I just needed to type something out. Has anyone else with anxiety gone through a similar thing? I feel really isolated right now and I just need to talk
Sorry for the wall of text, I just needed to type something out. Has anyone else with anxiety gone through a similar thing? I feel really isolated right now and I just need to talk
Reply 1
Hi there. Really sorry to hear that you’re struggling at the moment. I understand how you’re feeling having gone through a similar situation at university. University, especially the start, can be really challenging and stressful, particularly for those with anxiety disorders. It’s great that you’ve continued to put yourself out there and, if you can continue to do so, everything should become less overwhelming and start to feel more natural over time. Just make sure you don’t push yourself too hard and take breaks when you need – there will be more opportunities another day.
I would suggest reaching out to your university’s wellbeing team. I’m not sure which university you’re at but for Bath this can be accessed here: Wellbeing Support at the University. For me this service was very helpful as they directed me to someone that I could talk things through with immediately, and then over time put me in contact with a counsellor which helped me manage my mental health in the long term.
I can also relate to your situation with your housemates. I think it’s likely that they are also feeling anxious about the start of uni and are not interpreting your behaviour in a negative way. Again, hopefully over time you will begin to feel more confident around them and more incorporated into the group. But if this doesn’t happen there are so many people at university that you will find your group elsewhere 😊
I hope this helps and feel free to reach out if you’d like to talk any more.
Lauren,
University of Bath
I would suggest reaching out to your university’s wellbeing team. I’m not sure which university you’re at but for Bath this can be accessed here: Wellbeing Support at the University. For me this service was very helpful as they directed me to someone that I could talk things through with immediately, and then over time put me in contact with a counsellor which helped me manage my mental health in the long term.
I can also relate to your situation with your housemates. I think it’s likely that they are also feeling anxious about the start of uni and are not interpreting your behaviour in a negative way. Again, hopefully over time you will begin to feel more confident around them and more incorporated into the group. But if this doesn’t happen there are so many people at university that you will find your group elsewhere 😊
I hope this helps and feel free to reach out if you’d like to talk any more.
Lauren,
University of Bath
Original post by EeeeeeejnLal
Hi all, I started uni just two weeks ago. I've always struggled with severe anxiety and panic attacks, not really related to any one thing, but obviously worsened by high stress environments. At the start of sixth form, I never thought I'd make it to any uni, let alone the one I'm currently attending, since my panic attacks were so severe I couldn't even make it to my lessons. I managed to work through it though, with help from my family, teachers and a really supportive friend group, and ended up having an incredibly joyful and fulfilling time during A-Levels. I was so excited to go to university; I worked so hard to get the grades, worked so hard to manage my anxiety enough to let me sit my exams. Now that I'm here though, I feel like I've been kicked back to square one. I miss my friends so much, but I don't want to reach out to them, they seem like theyre having so much fun at their own unis, meeting a ton of new people. I did everything right these past two weeks - I resisted the urge to hide in my room and went out, tried to socialise with my flatmates, went out with a different group of people every night, joined a bunch of societies and went to their socals etc. but for all taht i just feel numb and scared. I worked so hard and now I can't enjoy any of it because I'm using all my energy just to avoid sobbing, just to look like I'm having fun. I constantly feel on the verge of vomiting and hyperventaling, I feel like I'm dreaming, like my body isn't even mine anymore. I feel like I'm going crazy, and I can't tell anyone because no one cares, everyone that knows me and loves me is miles away, living their own separate lives. Even though I've been trying to form new connections, I find myself unable to truly click with anyone, and feel like I drain the energy from any situation, like a dead weight in any social gathering. My flatmates are all so outgoing and confident, they don't understand why I'm not, and I feel like they dislike me, or think that I dislike them. I can't even taste my food anymore. I just feel totally lost, like I'm constantly falling.
Sorry for the wall of text, I just needed to type something out. Has anyone else with anxiety gone through a similar thing? I feel really isolated right now and I just need to talk
Sorry for the wall of text, I just needed to type something out. Has anyone else with anxiety gone through a similar thing? I feel really isolated right now and I just need to talk
It is very advisable that you see your GP regarding your anxiety and panic attacks.
There is a lot of support out there such as:
-The Samaritans, you can call 116 123, which is available 24 hours a day
-Mind, 0300 123 3393
-Saneline, 0300 304 7000, from 4.30pm-10.30pm
-The mix, 0800 808 4994, 11am-11pm
-SHOUT, text 852258, 24 hour text service
-Crises, 741741, text service
-Papyrus, 0800 068 4141, if you have thoughts of suicide or in emotional distress
-Rethink mental health, 0300 5000 927
-No Panic, 0800 138 8889
-Relate, they have a chat advisor
-NHS mental health, 111
-Mental Health 24/7: 0800 008 6516
-hubofhope website, useful contact information for your local area
You can self refer yourself to talking therapies on the NHS website.
There is the mind forum
Also Facebook groups
You can join support groups
You can contact a crises team if things get very bad Plenty of resources onl
ine, infor mation regarding well being.
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