Okay, so I have a very long story. I honestly don’t even know where to begin. I’m basically a closeted, anxious, depressed person. I’ve struggled with self-harm in the past, but I haven’t done anything for a while. I don’t plan to either. I also have never thought about killing myself. I cut because I was extremely overwhelmed and didn’t know how else to handle it. I’m currently in a support group for kids with anxiety and depression in school, and it’s definitely helping. But, I’m still overwhelmed, and I’m not sure what to do. I don’t want to go back to self-harm again. I don’t think that I will, but I don’t even want it to get to the point where I consider it, you know. I’m in the closet, not with my friends, but with my parents. My friends have all been really amazing about me being gay and everything, but I don’t know if my parents will be the same way. I’m not too worried about my mom, but I’m really worried about my dad. He would never hurt me or anything, but I just don’t wanna lose him. I want him to accept me and love me for who I am. I’m also currently dating a girl who’s insanely amazing, but I hate the fact that I keep her from my parents. So I guess this whole situation is stressing me out a lot, on top of my already-existing anxiety. I’m feeling a little lost at the moment, and I’m in need of some advice. Okay, thanks for listening.
CONSIDER THIS:
- Thank you so much for sharing your story. It seems like you have been through so much already, and you should be so proud of yourself for all your progress.
- Harboring secrets from the ones you love must be really hard for you. It is good that you can be yourself around your friends, and they support you! When you are ready, consider coming out to your parents, starting with your mom. It can definitely be difficult and things may get harder momentarily, but in the end, they will still love you. It seems like you just want to be who you are in front of them, and doing so may help with your anxiety in the long run.
- Until you are ready, practice self-care – not self-harm! Some great methods to help with anxiety are meditation, writing about your feelings, and practicing positive sayings to yourself like “Everything is going to be okay!” or “You can do it!” There are many other healthy ways of coping with depression and anxiety like talking with friends, reading, or exercising. In the end, things will be okay.
- Think positively about yourself and your progress – you have reached out for help and are in a support group, and you have wonderful friends and a girlfriend to help you along the way! That’s great!
- Take on what you can manage, and be proud of the things that you make for yourself. Sometimes the world seems like nothing is going right, but try to see all the things that are working out. Surround yourself with positivity and love yourself.
- It definitely helps to be in a support group. For particularly rough days, don’t be afraid to ask for help from guidance counselors, doctors, or your parents and friends.
ASK YOURSELF:
- Who can you turn to when you need to talk about your feelings and hardships?
- Why are you scared to come out to your parents? What is the best situation that can happen?
- What is your long-term picture for happiness?
