Feeling like im in a maze with no way out

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Idk why but ever since o levels ended or even during that period ive been crashing out really badly, everyday feels like hell and i really wanted to kms. I was veryvery stressed till the point where i feel that my heart was really tight and i had to cry to make myself feel better. I had high expectations and feared that i wouldnt be able to make it to JC, and let my parents down. After olevel results came out, i did better than i expected to, i thought that the sucidal thoughts as well as the tight feeling will be gone. However until now, im still feeling that exact same feeling and i feel like i cant calm myself down. I can’t be the way im optimistic to people like last time. My heart feels very tight. I rarely talk/am lazy to talk to people nowawdays. I feel like i want to be alone all the time. I missed my personalities last time. I also get mad/annoyed/impatient at things veryvery easily

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Hey there OP,

I’m sorry to hear that you’ve been crashing out even after your O-levels are done. Sounds like your body’s taking in a lot of stress and now it’s still processing all those feelings. You can’t always force yourself into being fine; you can mask it, but it’ll come back again.

Do you have anyone to talk about your problems? Are you comfortable talking about it to your parents or your friends? It’s normal to feel down in the dumps for a period of time. But I found that talking about it to someone helps to alleviate it, and may help you understand why your body is reacting in such a way.

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I’m really, really glad you said this out loud. What you went through during O-levels sounds terrifying, that constant stress, the tight feeling in your chest, the fear of disappointing your parents. Anyone under that kind of pressure for so long would break down. It makes sense that your body and mind haven’t just “snapped back” even after results came out.

What I hear is that the danger passed, but your system never got the message. The anxiety stayed. That tight chest, the irritability, wanting to withdraw, not feeling like your old self, those are all signs of someone who’s been in survival mode for too long. It doesn’t mean you’re weak or broken. It means you were pushed really hard.

I also want to acknowledge something important: you said you really wanted to kill yourself during that time. I’m really sorry you were carrying that alone. You didn’t deserve to feel that trapped. The fact that you’re still here and talking about it matters a lot. Before anything else, can I gently check if you are feeling safe right now?

You don’t have to be “optimistic” for anyone right now. Losing that old version of yourself can feel like grief, and it’s okay to miss them. People often change after intense stress or trauma, not because they’re gone forever, but because they need time and support to heal.

You don’t have to handle this alone, if you can you may contact the following:

  • SOS Singapore: 1767 (24/7)

  • SOS CareText (WhatsApp): 9151 1767

  • If things feel urgent or overwhelming, 999 is okay to call.

Reaching out doesn’t mean you’re failing, it means you’re taking yourself seriously.

I’m here with you. If you want, you can tell me more about what that tight feeling is like now, or what you miss most about your old self. Cheering you on from here :white_heart: