So.. recently I’ve developed some symptoms and I suspect that it is anxiety but I cannot really confirm it. So, I’ve started overthinking, like sometimes I’ll look at my friends and just wonder if they’re only pretending to like me, and are talking smack about me behind my back or other times I’ll wonder if I had failed in life. And I do try to play it off with my friends and act normal but I’m really not sure. Not only that but I have developed a huge fear of homework and worksheets despite being in sec 3 because I fear that I’ll answer a question wrongly and it’s really hindering my learning progress. Plus I tend to hyperventilate and cry till I struggle to breathe when my parents/brothers happen to yell at me. I really don’t know anymore, but I’m hoping someone can help me. Is this anxiety or something else? Should I worry?
So, I’m not sure what has happened to me. I used to get really good grades really effortlessly, being able to get mostly A’s. But then Sec3 came along and I moved up to express science, and I just feel like all my subjects suddenly became really hard. I’m barely passing and I do want to study, but every time I happen to open a textbook, I just wanna cry, and pull out my hair. I feel really stupid because I don’t understand anything that is being taught, and I’ve tried getting my teachers to help me, but even after they explained it many times, I just can’t seem to get it. Everything feels too much, and I can feel it just destroying my future. My mental health isn’t exactly in a good place right now. I really don’t know where to go or who to turned to, I’m scared to disappoint and I’m struggling to complete my homework because I have this huge fear of getting the answer wrong, which impacts my learning by a lot. I feel lost, confused and pressured. It takes a lot of effort for me to answer any questions. I also have this deep fear of displeasing people. I really just want to get some advice.
Hello @Annoynimous, thank you so much for sharing what you’re going through. I can only imagine how heavy and confusing all these feelings must be for you right now. It’s really brave to open up about this, and I want you to know that your feelings are completely valid.
It’s okay to feel scared, overwhelmed, or unsure, especially when you’re dealing with so much pressure at school. Remember, struggling with these feelings doesn’t mean anything is wrong with you. You’re not alone in this, even if it sometimes feels that way.
Sometimes when things feel too much, it helps to talk to someone who can really listen and support you, like a school counselor or a mental health professional. They can help you make sense of these feelings and find ways to feel better step by step.
You’re stronger than you realize, and it’s okay to take things one day at a time. Please be kind to yourself, and don’t hesitate to reach out to someone who can walk this path with you. If you want to talk more, I’m here to listen anytime.
Hey @Annoynimous. Thank you so much for opening up about what you’re going through. It takes real courage to share all this. I just want you to know that what you’re feeling is valid, and you’re not alone.
From what you described, the overthinking, the fear of judgement, the crying under pressure, and panic around schoolwork, and the hyperventilating does sound a lot like what anxiety can feel like. That must be so overwhelming, especially when it feels like no one sees how hard it really is for you inside. While I can’t diagnose you, what you’re experiencing is definitely worth paying attention to.
It’s a good thing that you’re self-aware and reaching out. That’s already a powerful step.
If you’re open to it, here’s a few gentle things that has helped me in a similar place:
- Naming the thought instead of believing it like writing my thoughts down when they got too loud. Not to judge them, but just to see more clearly. Sometimes putting them on paper helped me realize that not everything my brain told me was true.
- Breathing/Grounding techniques like 2 short inhales and 1 long exhale to help me breathe and calm down when I’m overwhelmed.
- Asking for support whether it’s from teachers, a counsellor, or a trusted adult, especially when school stress felt too much to handle alone.
Also, you’re not weird or weak for feeling this way. A lot of us struggle quietly, and it’s brave that you’ve spoken up.
You deserve support, understanding, and peace of mind. You’re not broken, just overwhelmed, and it’s okay to ask for help 
hi @annoyminous
this feeling of spiraling… it doesn’t mean you’re failing. it just means your brain is sounding the alarm louder than usual.
the part where you said opening a textbook makes you want to cry and pull out your hair… i want to slow down there. that reaction is your body telling you something’s not safe—not because the subject is dangerous, but because you’re associating mistakes with shame or punishment.
and the part about friends… when you wonder if they secretly don’t like you, that sounds like your mind trying to guard you from being hurt first. when we’ve been hurt or scolded too many times, we start preparing for pain even before it happens.
this isn’t about being weak. your system is working overtime to protect you, even if it’s doing it in a way that’s making life harder now.
can i ask, what happens in your body when you get things wrong? like if you try a worksheet and make mistakes, what do you feel first? shame? fear? or do you freeze? just notice what comes up. we can slow this down. we don’t have to fix everything at once.
you’re not lost. you’re responding exactly how a hurt and overwhelmed nervous system would. hear from you soon.
hi @FuYuan_Affections,
I really appreciate you getting back to me. When I get things wrong, I feel stupid, like a failure, and a huge amount of shame. My brain just feels like it’s holding too much at ones when I get stuff wrong.
zooming into what you just said… “my brain just feels like it’s holding too much at once” i felt that land heavy. like your mind’s been operating on full load for a while already, and just one mistake tips it into overflow.
that shame and failure feeling… does it feel familiar? like something you’ve felt before sec 3? or did it start when the subjects got harder?
and when you say “stupid,” is that your own word? or something you’ve heard or been told before?
i’m asking not to dig for pain, but because sometimes what feels like our voice is actually someone else’s voice that stayed behind.
right now, what’s happening in your body as you reply? is your chest tight? heart racing? or is your mind already jumping ahead to the next fear? can we slow it down together? just this moment. not your whole future. just now.