So, I got accepted into college which means I will be leaving home this upcoming August. While I was initially excited, I now don’t feel any positive emotions about it. I have been overwhelmed with anxiety to the point I go days without eating, throw up, cry, obsess over thoughts of dying, had a religion/identity crisis. I really don’t want to leave my mom, she’s the most important person in the world to me and the thought of not seeing her is too much. It’s gotten to the point I cry if she goes to the store without me which I have never done before. I’ve always been close to my mom but never to the point it made me incapable of every day tasks. Will this go away with time?
Most likely, but talking it out with a counselor / trained professional might help you feel better more quickly.
Depending on how long (more than 2 weeks) andhow much the behavior change you describe are interfering with your ability to function, you may be experiencing an episode of clinical depression that needs treatment. A medical/psychological evaluation seems like a good idea.
Agreeing with the above: to some extent it is not surprising to feel anxiety about such a big change. But your reactions seem extreme and here’s the thing: even if it would ‘go away with time’, why wouldn’t you get some help? A counselor can help you sort this out.
One thing: you might not hit the jackpot with the first person you talk to - that doesn’t make it a bad idea (or them a bad counselor), it just means that it isn’t the right person for you right now. If that happens, just shrug your shoulders & try again!
all students going to college have some anxiety…new room, new campus, new friends…but if you have anxiety to this point you need to talk to a professional.
Maybe you can talk it through.
Maybe you need medications.
Maybe you can talk about strategies to make friends
Maybe you can learn about all the support services at your college
Maybe you can teach your mom how to Facetime so you can keep in touch in college.
Maybe a college closer to home is what you need.
This doesn’t sound to me like typical freshman nervousness. I agree with the others… an appointment with a therapist sound like it’s in order.
In the meantime: you don’t HAVE to go away to school. Lots of perfectly successful adults were very happy at a local college, including me.