i realize this is probably a pretty common topic but i feel like i gotta hear from someone about this. i’m a 19 year old dude and up until a certain point i think i was just in denial about something going on but at this point it’s kinda of having a noticeable effect (panic attacks in class, general stress and frustration at nothing, straining relationships, impacting mood, sleep, eating, etc). these have been present in varying intensities throughout a couple years. i still haven’t entirely convinced myself it may be an anxiety disorder but that’s not really what i’m asking for.

i just want to know if anyone has had experience with having a very strict or traditional family and how you might approach getting help on some level? just specific to me my parents don’t even really believe in a decent range of mental health effects, and the “southern macho” culture is thriving, “be a man, work hard like we did.” i have kinda felt it out on talking to my parents before but in those times it’s been extremely discouraging seeing how they view the disorder itself or the origins of it. again not sure i have it, not self-diagnosing, but i’ve noticed enough things that i want to just talk to someone. my parents have such a tight vice on my life i have to go through them though. i can talk to my friends about it but tbh i hate putting that stuff on them and really i just want to talk to a doctor or therapist to maybe get some relief for whatever, real or imagined, it may be. 

i know this is a long-winded post with only one basic question but i haven’t opened up to anyone about anything like this. so yeah idk does anyone have similar experience or maybe could give me some advice on how to approach bringing it up to my parents? i just feel like i’m going to get ridiculed and they will be ashamed of me. i mean the case might be that i’m simply stuck under these conditions right? if that’s the case i feel like i can handle it myself but i’d rather not.