I am 17 (nearly 18) years old. I lead a pretty normal life except the fact I suffer with severe anxiety. Only in the past year have I become accepting of the fact I suffer with anxiety due to the endless list of doctors, GP's, councillors and family members telling me I do. It began when I was sitting my GCSE exams and lead me to a complete mind blank and a huge anxiety attack when sitting in one of my exams. The thought of being unable to leave the exam hall stays with me to this day and often the thought of similar experiences can trigger my anxiety. Profoundly, my anxiety worsened when I visited many councillors who seemed to have no time for me. This made me doubt the fact that anyone could help me, or that I could ever grow out of my anxiety. I've neglected the idea of trying medication to help me as I believe that if I'm going to sort myself out, it has to be for the long term rather than relying on a pill that lasts for a few hours. Which I believe everyone should try! I still to this day suffer with severe anxiety, although I'm looking to make people my age more aware of it, so they don't feel alone like I did when first diagnosed.