Hello everyone, I'm 19, I've been going to school since October of last year. This is my last month of school, and then I go out on externship in June, through the end of July.{REMOVED}

At the end of this month, I need to do a mock interview, I am completely terrified, because the last time I had to talk for a long period of time in front of someone, I had a panic attack, and I fear will have one again. We also need to do an interview to get into the externship. and just doing externship for two full months makes me so nervous. I have extremely bad anxiety, anytime someone who I don't know talks to me, my heart just starts pounding. I feel so alone, I feel like I will fail school because of this, because I remember two people failed because they were unable to communicate with people. I don't take any medications or anything, my parents don't even know that it's this bad, even when I told them I had a panic attack last time, they didn't really believe me or seem to care.

I feel completely overwhelmed, sometimes I just feel like giving up. I know need to see someone about this, but I am way too afraid to talk to a complete stranger about all of my problems and fears. Any advice would be greatly appreciated...

1st things 1st. Go see your Dr and level with him/her. Tell the Doc whats up with you. They can prescribe anti-anxiety medication. Have you had any panic attacks? You can also see a psychologist, the Doc needs to refer you or you can do it on your own. They can teach you Cognative Behavior Therapy which will be an invaluable tool with yoiur anxiety.

Purple this is a stressful time, when I was your age I felt the same way, had such a hard time talking in front of groups of people I am now 36 and love talking to anyone anytime.
You are not alone. This happens with so many people, some are on medication some just are good BSers.
Go to your dr, let them know how you feel and maybe go to counseling let them know how this is affecting your life.
This is something that can be fixed, I have been there!

Good luck

Always read the "Sticky" posts at the top of every board you post on.

Thanks, Ms_Mod

to purple
any valium type med in a large enough dose will help a lot, dont be too proud to take it
are you asking too much of yourself, you probably need a long period of learning CBT and new ways of calming and relaxing yourself also

most docs would prescribe an antidepressant med for the anxiety, these often help but can make your anxiety worse for the first few weeks

Don't despair, help is out there. I felt exactly like you did and I finally leveled with my Dr. but not before I had an extreme panic attack that ended up in the ER because I thought I was having a heart attack. I am now on 10 mg of paxil and feel like a new person. I can do anything now. I've been on the same amount for over 3 years with no problems and I haven't needed anything else. It's saved my life. My daughter came to me recently and confided that she was having problems with panic. I immediately set her up with an appointment with my dr. (an internist not a psych dr.) and sshe was prescribed lexapro 5mg. It has been great for her. So get help,O.K.?

Many performers take Beta Blockers to slow down their heart rate during presentations. It works soo well I take them for my tachycardia I have from anxiety. Even teachers have commented on how well my speaking voice is. Talk to your doctor about it, it might help you out :)