17 and Experiencing Depression and Panic Attacks

Reader’s Question

I’m seventeen now and for about a year I have been suffering from anxiety or panic attacks, or from what I have read they are panic attacks. I have never been officially diagnosed, mainly because I am too afraid of going to a professional, although I was once was perscribed a very small dosage of Zoloft. Within a month I ended up going off the drug because it seemed to put me in a worse state than I was in prior to the medication. My “attacks” consist of hyperventilating to the point where I feel faint, nauseous, and shaky and fear being trapped. After the attack I feel that my chest is so tight that it might collapse. I know that school is triggering them but I don’t know how I can balance my life so that school isn’t such a big influence on my mental health. Lately I seem to have been getting worse. I cry for no reason, little things make me furious (for example, someone not having a pencil when I needed to borrow one), I can no longer deliver oral presentations at school, and I feel that if I don’t get things done by a certain time, my life will be over. I am able to rationalize with myself and tell myself that life won’t be over and it’s not a big deal, but my brain, mind and body feel completely disconnected. I have recently been accepted into university for journalism in Ottawa ( I live in a suburb outside of Toronto), and the anxiety it has caused me has brought me to a point where even thinking about dorms, meal plans, tuition, courses and any other university related issue triggers an anxiety attack that seems to take days to recover from. I know something isn’t right. I suppose my question is what is wrong with me? How can I make this stop? Do I have a disease or a disorder or is this all just in my head? I have been accused of doing this for attention, but I genuinely am not. This problem isn’t something I am proud of so I like to keep it on the down low and bring as little attention to it as I can. Please help me. I know that I am probably going to have to confront a psychologist face to face eventually, but any insight on this issue would be greatly appreciated.

Our Consulting Clinical Psychologist’s Reply

It’s in your head…but not on purpose. Exposure to long periods at a high stress level create a type of emotional exhaustion. I call this a stress-produced depression. You’ll have problems with sleep, appetite, fatigue, poor concentration, crying spells, no motivation, social withdrawal, and physical complaints. Anxiety often goes with this type of depression, creating the panic symptoms you are currently experiencing.

Your family physician was on the right track, prescribing Zoloft. The problem we find in practice is that family physicians often prescribe antidepressants (like Zoloft) at too low a dose to be effective. Family MDs also usually don’t use combinations of medications such as an antidepressant and a long-acting antianxiety medication. Keep in mind that it often takes 4-6 weeks for an antidepressant to be effective.

You’re experiencing a situation we often find with bright students. You’re doing a lot of things — projects, homework, special clubs and organizations, etc. You’ve become overdosed on responsibility. When this happens, the body and brain can’t keep up.

It’s important to remember that this is common in individuals who have a lot of responsibility. In most cases, we don’t experience this until adulthood when we get that full-time job, spouse, two children, half a dog, mortgage, etc. (the average household). Because of your talents, you may have been overwhelmed earlier.

I’d recommend reading up on depression and chemical theory. I have articles I’ve written on my website at www.drjoecarver.com. You might want to take a few screening tests on this website as well. Next, discuss what you discover with your parents and return to your family MD. He/She may be able to handle the situation with a different medication or may refer you to a local psychiatrist. I would also recommend obtaining a counselor during this process as that will increase your improvement and recovery time. We need to get you geared up for Ottawa this fall!