I just really feel like sharing my life story to the world. I just turned 16 years old. I grew up in the best family I could ever ask for. My life was going great! When I got into 3rd grade I started to take my sports really seriously. Escpecially softball. I was playing for 3 teams and once and we were dang good. The best part about
it was that it was just so much fun. I played for the same coach and he was incredibly nice. When I was in 6th grade he did a complete 180 on me. I was mentally abused my him to the point where I would make myself vomit and have diarrhea because I was too afraid to go to practices and games for fear I would see him.
Finally, I quit playing for him. But that was not the end of my anxiety. I continued to get nervous about EVERYTHING. I truly mean it. What's crazy is how I was able to hide it from others so well. I didn't want people to think I was crazy. I would literally have battles at myself inside my head trying to get myself to calm down. But it never worked. I continued to have diarrhea and vomiting on a regular basis. Making myself deal with this situation was extremely painful for me mentally and physically. I was exhausted. My confidence was completely down the drain.
Last year, I had had enough. I went to the doctor and was prescribed Lexapro. This has really helped me immensely. My anxiety is in no way or shape gone completely, but I feel so much better. Going through this has really had a positive impact on my life though. I realized that I want to go into either child psychology or counseling with kids. Why? Because I would never wish for anyone to have to go through what I did.
Parents, I truly encourage you to talk to your kids about anxiety and regularly evaluate the amount of pressure you put on your child. I'm not saying that my parents had no clue of what I was going through. I was mostly able to hide it from them but they knew I was hurting and wanted me to quit earlier. I just couldn't. My parents are amazing.
Thank you for your time