is it normal to feel like i dont know if im not ok or just overreacting.
i’ve struggled with what i would count as suicidal thoughts, sh, body image issues, and anxiety-ish symptoms for around 4-5 years now. but im worried to tell my parents just in case its not serious and instead just me overreacting and being stressed out over examinations. i would say that i used to have depression and anxiety as they were much much worse a few years back, though i still do experience these things just not as intensly.
reason being as for about 2 years, i had constant suicidal thoughts, sh and body image issues, though they’ve stopped coming frequently and instead been more occasional, maybe about 3-4 times a month. but when they do, it’s like all the progress i’ve made is just gone and i’ve gone back to when i just didnt want to do this anymore. but at the same time, when i dont have these thoughts, life feels amazing like its worth living again, till something slips up/enough things pile up and i just yeah.
whereas for anxiety, i’ve always been overly anxious about everything as a kid, but this time its led to me having shortness of breath, throat feeling like its being tightened, chest as well, and just feeling like i’ve lost control of myself. it’s fairly occasional though, happening maybe 1 every 2-3 months. it’s slightly affecting my daily life as im too afraid of things to actually live out my life how i want to.
since these are quite occasional and not impacting my day to day life much, im not sure if i could tell my friends when i have a drastic mood change that its due to suicidal thoughts/a panic attack, since it doesnt seem serious enough to be counted as that. i also wouldn’t want to tell my parents unless im sure about me having an issue since i wouldnt want them to worry abt me/waste more money then they already have on me.
my mum has also told me countless times that she wouldnt judge no matter what i were to tell her and to be more open to her, though i cant help but be worried for if i do actually tell her, she wouldnt keep up to her words at all.
sorry if it’s abit confusing as this is the first time i’ve actually wrote out fully what i’ve struggled with so openly. i’ll try to make it clearer if theres any questions or if theres even any replies at all.
Bruh, everything u described is serious. Get ur school counselor for a start or polyclinic referral for psych help. What i do when i got better n then relaspe is to always build lists of coping mechanisms to read on my phone. I will read them when im feeling down or having anxiety. I use ai too.
Dear @user8844
Thank you for opening up and sharing so honestly — I can hear how much thought and care you’ve put into trying to understand yourself. It takes a lot of courage to even start writing about feelings like these, especially when they’ve been weighing on you for so long. I just want you to know: what you’re feeling is real, and it matters — even if part of you wonders whether it’s “serious enough.”
You are not overreacting. You are someone who has been carrying a lot inside for years, sometimes quietly, sometimes with strength others can’t even see. The fact that your thoughts and feelings come and go doesn’t mean they’re not important. Healing isn’t always about being at a crisis point — it’s also about recognising when something is quietly hurting you or holding you back from living fully.
Even if your difficult moments are occasional now, you still deserve support. Therapy isn’t only for people who are constantly struggling — it’s also a safe space to understand yourself better, to build tools for the future, and to have someone who can gently walk alongside you as you continue healing. You don’t have to be at your “worst” to seek help. You only need to want a little more support for yourself. And from everything you shared, you absolutely deserve that. Here are some resources you can consider:
1)School counsellor
2)IMH’s mental health hotline for those facing mental health crisis.
6389 2222
3)Samaritans of Singapore (SOS)
SOS operates a 24-hour hotline to provide emotional support for those in facing crisis or suicide risk
1800 221 4444
4)CHAT
The Community Health Assessment Team (CHAT) provides confidential mental health checks for young persons between 16 and 30 years old, who are currently living in Singapore. They operate CHAT hub, a mental health centre located at *SCAPE and maintains an online presence through their website and webchat.
6493 6500
6493 6501
https://www.chat.mentalhealth.sg/
5)Fei Yue Community Services- EC2
LIVE CHAT eC2 is an online facility offering free counselling to youths.
6)TOUCH Community Services – TOUCHline
Emotional support and practical advice are rendered through this youth helpline
1800 377 2252
It’s okay to be unsure about talking to your parents too. Trust takes time — and it’s okay to take small steps if and when you’re ready. Since your mum has said she would be open, when you feel a little stronger, you can start by sharing just a small part. But for now, if it feels easier, reaching out to a professional quietly for yourself first is a perfectly good first step.
You’ve made so much progress already — not because you’ve “fixed” everything, but because you’re paying attention to yourself with care. That’s what healing often looks like: messy, brave, and full of ups and downs.
Please be kind to yourself. Do know that:
You are not a burden.
You are not overreacting.
You are precious, worthy of support and understanding, exactly as you are. Do continue reaching out here for support whenever you are ready and let us know how you are doing. 
Hi @user8844,
First of all, thank you for trusting me with your thoughts and experiences. It takes a lot of courage to express emotions that feel complicated, especially when you’re unsure whether they are “serious enough” to talk about. From what you’ve shared, it sounds like you’ve been navigating a really difficult journey for a number of years—one filled with moments of deep struggle, but also times when life feels good again. That emotional contrast, where progress can feel fleeting when setbacks occur, is something many people experience with mental health challenges. You are not alone in this, and your feelings are valid, no matter how frequent or infrequent they seem.
I can hear the uncertainty you’re feeling about whether to open up to your parents, especially your mom, who has encouraged you to be more open with her. It makes sense that you’d be hesitant, fearing that her response might not match her words, or that she might worry in ways you don’t want her to. At the same time, I also hear that you’re thinking about how these feelings impact your daily life—even if they don’t seem constant, they still affect your ability to live the way you want. The fact that you’re questioning all of this suggests that you recognize something isn’t quite right, and that itself is an important realization.
Your worries about “overreacting” or these feelings not being “serious enough” to talk about are understandable, but struggling with suicidal thoughts, self-harm, anxiety, and body image issues—even occasionally—is serious because it impacts your overall well-being. You don’t have to reach a breaking point to deserve support. It might help to remind yourself that emotions don’t need justification—they just are. And even if exams and stress are contributing factors, it doesn’t mean the feelings should be dismissed. If speaking to someone—whether it’s a friend, a parent, or a professional—could help lighten that burden, you deserve that opportunity.
I know that taking the step to express these feelings openly wasn’t easy, and yet you did it. That speaks to your strength, even if you don’t feel strong all the time. You might find that sharing with others can help further, especially with those who can support you in meaningful ways. If you ever decide to talk to your parents, perhaps framing it as “I don’t know if this is serious, but it has been affecting me, and I want to understand it better” might ease some of your uncertainty. You are worthy of care, of understanding, and of living life without fear holding you back. You are not overreacting—you are simply acknowledging that something doesn’t feel right, and that’s a step toward healing.
In addition, @CaringBee has also attached a list of useful resources that you may wish to consider. Keep well, and I wish you the best for your recovery journey!
For further support, you may wish to visit our Service Wayfinder: mindline.sg | Free Mental Health Resources & Mindfulness Tools in Singapore
Best regards,
HanSolo2000
Befriender | let’s talk