Confused and struggling
I don't really know where to start. I've always felt anxious and internally stressed when almost anything happens.
A few years ago, I moved back to my native country for good and I don't speak the language here very well. When I was in middle school, I went to an international school so I could still speak English on a daily basis. But now that I'm going to a national school, everything is so overwhelming. The language, the method of teaching the teachers use, the students, everything.
I try to talk it out with my parents, and sometimes when I end up crying they think it's silly and that it's something trivial that I shouldn't cry over. I still love them, of course, they do a lot for me but I just feel like they are confused as to how to sort of comfort me. And that puts on another problem. Aside from always thinking about other's thoughts about me, I'm scared that if I try to seek help, people will give me the same "Just think positive", "You're thinking too much", "Just calm down, it's nothing". But then again, I tell myself that maybe I'm the one being selfish for looking for an answer that I want to hear instead of what I need to hear.
Overall, I just don't know how to feel and how to find help for it.
@friendlyKiwi317
I can totally see why that would be overwhelming. Language barriers can be so isolating. Crying would be a very normal response. And I've been told in the past that problems I have are because I'm over thinking things, so I know exactly how that feels. Very dismissive and unhelpful. You have a challenge and you're just trying to find an answer intelligently. Obviously I don't know if this is true in your country, but many schools have things in place for students who are overwhelmed, maybe they can help. Don't be afraid to ask for help, just because the first people you tried weren't able to help, it doesn't mean the next will be the same. Just take the challenge on, one step at a time and you'll succeed.
@friendlyKiwi317
I think one of the most frustrating things people do (and we all do it in some way) is to dismiss the way someone is feeling because we can't understand how they're feeling. What I mean is, you have anxiety and someone tells you "just relax" and "you're fine, you just need to calm down."
People who don't experience anxiety don't understand how it feels and so it's hard for them to relate. So many people tell us (the anxiety sufferers) to just relax. Stop being so anxious. Don't they realize that we WOULD if we COULD. It's never that easy. I mean, no one wants to feel anxious all the time.
What I find is helpful is that I do a little bit of self-analysis. Even if I can't stop the anxiety, I take a good look at myself to determine the cause of it (if I can determine the cause). Right now you're feeling anxiety because of the language issue. Can you explain that in more detail?
Do you feel anxious because you are having a hard time understanding what the teachers are saying? Do you feel left out of discussions? Are you afraid that your grades are going to suffer? Do you feel "dumb" (for lack of a better word) for not being able to understand everything? Do you feel embarrassed? What other things are stirring up your anxiety?
Once you identify what's bothering you, then you can go back to your parents and present them with a list of things that are bothering - or triggering - you, and maybe that will help them understand better how you're feeling and be able to help you find solutions that will work for you.