i'm stressed! should i take medicine?

So I'm a very nervous person, always have been. And I'm very stressed out. I'm in a really competitive program at school and everyones always talking about college and jobs and I just have a really high standard to live up to. Not that people are pushing me that hard I just feel like thats what I want to do. But still, I'm a very stressed out person. And very nervous. My stomach is always tense, and legs and back are tense. I have stomach aches and have a hard time going to sleep. I don't really hang out with anyone anymore like I don't go out with people for fun or call people. Sometimes I talk to people online or at lunch. My anxiety just really affects my life and this whole Ulcerative colitis thing is not helping. So I told my mom I want to ask the doctor about getting on some medicine to relax. But she went and talking to some nurse at work and he said that I should just exercise. I see his side. I understand a lot of kids abuse drugs and that it sucks to be on another pill at only 16. Oh yeah, I'm 16 by the way. But the point is I am stressed out and it's affecting my life and I would like to relax. So what do you guys think? I'd just like to hear some other opinions. Whatever the doctor says is what we'll do but I'm just interested in what other people, specifically other people with UC think.

I absolutely know how you feel. I've been like that my whole life. I'm very high strung and very anxious. Fall semester '08 I was in organic chemistry and I was so stressed out and unhappy that I just had a huge breakdown. After talking to my parents and doctors I found that my anxiety was so over the top that it was preventing me from learning. It sounds crazy but it is so true. My grades sucked and I ended up transferring schools and now my grades are where they should be.
I think that if you are unhappy and too stressed out, talk to a doctor. It doesn't mean that you have to go on medication (they don't recommend them for kids under 18 in most cases, antidepressants that is), but they might be able to offer you tips on how to manage your stress. Exercise is a good idea because it releases endorphins which acts as a natural antidepressant. See what a doctor/psychologist has to say. You don't have to live life stressed out, especially at 16!

Hi MeowMix,

I always, always pushed myself for some unknown reasons.  I started college at 16... always worked 2 jobs... felt like I had to push myself to further and further goals.  People told me to relax, but it wasn't until my colon finally knocked me hard enough to make me realize that I have to be gentle now (hence my screen name).

We know stress adds to our problems.  But it also keeps our bodies from healing and nurturing itself as it is supposed to.  Eventually something will have to give.  You sound very wise and self-aware; don't ignore your inner voice telling you to make a change in yourself.  All the accomplishments in the world won't amount to anything if you don't have your health.

For me, I wish I had spoken to a therapist when I was younger to change my way of thinking about myself.  Nothing short of that would have helped me because the pressure was too deep-seated.  Good luck to you - you are lucky to know this about yourself at such a young age!