hypochondria ?
my name is Danielle. im 15 and i just finished my freshman year a month ago. (brung a lot of stress and anxiety on me) i’ve been wondering for quite a while. maybe im hypochondriac. maybe im not. but i would like to get anyone’s opinion. lately, i have considered myself anxious. i have always thought i had anxiety. ive been feeling this for about two years. i have told my mom about this since she was diagnosed with anxiety (i don’t know what type of anxiety but ive never asked). she told me that theres no way i could have anxiety and even if she thought i did she will never take me to get “tested/diagnosed.” ive done research on symptoms but my mom disagrees with everything i tell her about how i relate to this symptoms. she keeps telling me me that im a hypochondriac which could be true, but im an overly cautious person, which im pretty sure have some difference. can someone please give me their opinions on anxiety and symptoms and if you think im a hypochondriac or if i could possibly have anxiety? my symptoms include: overly rapid shaking (mainly from my stage fright but happens in different situations as well), i think of the worst possible outcomes of a situation like a sense of danger or something, fast heart rate, shortness of breath (usually get them in some type of attacks but they arent REALLY bad), sweat, i have trouble in thinking about anything else but the situation and possible outcomes, get some type of gas problems (i don’t really know what it is and i don’t know how to explain it but it happens ALOT), im unable to stay still, and i don’t know if this has anything to do but my feet get some sort of vibration or something when im anxious but that could be a different problem. (thats everything i could think of) thank you for having the time to read and answer 🫶🏼
@dantheman15 Hi Danielle 🫶🏼
First, I just want to say thank you — truly — for being brave enough to share something so personal and vulnerable. You put into words what so many teens feel but are too afraid to say. That takes courage, and it speaks volumes about your strength already. 💛
What you're describing doesn’t sound like you’re just being dramatic or making things up — it sounds like you’ve been carrying a lot of internal stress and anxiety for a long time. The shaking, fast heart rate, racing thoughts, feeling like something bad is always about to happen, the trouble focusing, and even the physical symptoms like stomach and body sensations — those are all things that many people with anxiety experience. That doesn’t mean you’re broken. It means your body and mind are responding to stress in a very real way.
You also mentioned something that really stood out: you’ve tried to talk to your mom, but she shut it down. That hurts. I can imagine how lonely that might feel — wanting someone to believe you and instead being told it’s not real or that you're "just a hypochondriac." It’s so hard when the people we turn to for help don’t fully understand or accept what we’re going through. Especially when they’ve experienced anxiety themselves, and still can’t see it in us. But please know this: just because someone else doesn’t validate your feelings doesn't mean those feelings aren’t valid. They are.
You’re not crazy. You’re not weak. You’re not exaggerating.
You’re human. And you’re trying to make sense of something that’s hard to explain — and even harder to live with every day.
Whether it’s anxiety or not, what matters most is that you feel heard, supported, and safe. And that’s what I’m here for. We may not be therapists, but as listeners, we’re here to remind you: you matter. Your voice matters. Your emotions are real. And you don’t have to go through this alone.
I’m proud of you for doing your own research, for being self-aware, and for asking for help. That shows maturity far beyond your years. I know you’re struggling to feel passion or energy for life right now — and that’s okay. Sometimes we lose our light for a while, but that doesn’t mean it’s gone forever. It just needs time, space, and support to return. 🌱
If you ever want to talk more, I’m here. No pressure. No judgment. Just support — the kind you deserve. Keep being gentle with yourself. You're doing so much better than you think.
With care,
@FromSurvivorToSupporter 🌷
this genuinely gave me gut tingles of joy and relief. the words you said means a lot to me. thank you so much for listening and giving me the greatest response i could ask for. it’s good to hear from someone that it’s ok to be human once in a while. take care 🫶🏼
@FromSurvivorToSupporter
What a beautiful response 💜
