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I don't know what to call this.

User Profile: grayOwl035
grayOwl035 December 13th, 2020

Hi. This is kind of a long winded post. I apologize for it in advance.

I recently noticed a pattern in my life, and I was hoping someone here could provide some insights on it.

Just to give some backstory, I'm 22. I was a very bright student (one of the toppers) during my school days (till 7th/8th grade). After that, I slipped into depression (long story) and basically ended at the bottom of my class. I always wanted to be a doctor but as I didn't get enough marks for that, I ended up pursuing engineering. I did try to write the medical entrance exam in the first year, but I didn't get in. I have always hated engineering and now, since I was stuck, I was determined to do my best.

Ever since my third year, I have been focusing on getting better at my trade. So, that involved a lot of presentations (which involved a lot of travelling to nearby colleges), a lot of online courses for upskilling and a lot of participation in extra/co-curricular activities. I was also preparing for exams for Masters'. I was sleep deprived back then and was always stressed about something. But I felt like I had to achieve something to get a good job/to be successful.

Now, I'm 22. I am in a fairly good job with a decent salary. It feels like I've got a lead jacket on. I am always stressed about everything. I have a schedule for everything and have a nervous breakdown everytime something doesn't go according to my schedule. I am constantly worried about something, be it an exam for my studies or work at my office. It constantly feels like I've got a huge weight in my chest. I cannot go to sleep before 12 because I feel like I am wasting my productive time if I get sleep. I can't seem to relax because it always feels like I've got a lot to do and wasting my time. Even now, when I am writing this post, I feel like I am wasting my time by writing this, when I could be learning and upskilling myself. If I try to watch anything, I always find myself guilty of sitting down and watching something when I could be doing something else. I am so stressed and I am always tired and exhausted. I do have a close circle of friends to share, but they always start by telling me not to get stressed out. They call me if I am not feeling well, but I can't seem to speak about this verbally. I usually text them how I'm feeling and try my best to keep it a chat-based conversation because I can't bring myself to say any of this aloud.

I am beginning to think I have some anxiety disorder. Can you please clarify this? I am from a family where therapy is not accessible.

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User Profile: grayOwl035
grayOwl035 OP December 13th, 2020

For example, I gave an exam recently. I knew that I wouldn't get through (the results aren't out yet) with the amount of prep that I've done. The exam was also for a backup plan, in case my main plan fell through. But even though I had made my peace with that, I still felt like a failure when the exam approached. I was constantly berating myself for not studying and had a nervous breakdown at 2:30 AM in the night. I kept repeating that I was a failure and I wished I hadn't let myself in this situation of not preparing enough and cried myself to sleep.

4 replies
User Profile: agreeableHickory9108
agreeableHickory9108 December 14th, 2020

@grayOwl035

Hey pal.

You sound just like my brother. He keeps scheduling for little things, always worry if anything doesn't goes according to that, and is under constant stress. And a part of you is like me, feeling guilty about having taking time off to relax when I could be doing something useful.

I gather from your post that you are quite a workaholic person, and there is nothing to worry about. You want to improve, utilise every bit of time you have. The problem is I think, when you start scheduling your tasks, you are under constant need to complete everything under your own set deadlines, which can be stressful.

If it is possible, spend some time with people out to take your mind off some things, or just call your friends instead of chatting, and have conversations, just to take some time off.

If you don't like your field, do something for yourself, a side hustle, in addition to your field. It might help you take your time off the normal routine.

And there is nothing to berate yourself about, your hard work will absolutely pay off in future, and that is not affected by your short term failures. If you can see the bigger picture, I think these failures will not affect you by the time.

You are amazing pal. You deserve some slack, some time off, so you don't have to feel guilty about it.

Again, these are my opinions. If it helps you in any way, good to go!

Cheers!

3 replies
User Profile: grayOwl035
grayOwl035 OP December 14th, 2020

@agreeableHickory9108

Thanks pal for this ❤️ I really needed this assurance. ❤️

2 replies
User Profile: agreeableHickory9108
agreeableHickory9108 December 14th, 2020

@grayOwl035

I'm so happy for you :)

1 reply
User Profile: grayOwl035
grayOwl035 OP December 14th, 2020

heart@agreeableHickory9108

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