INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Don't get drawn into trying to analyze or explain why you feel the way you do. Just say, bluntly, that you want to get better and need others to help you do so. Again, you don't need to go into detail. Just focus on the most important part: you want and need help. You can say something like "I just want to feel like myself again and learn ways to control my anxiety. Can you help me find a counselor or a therapist?" Your family might say that what you've described doesn't sound abnormal, or is a stage, or isn't that worrisome. If that happens, tell them that you are sure it isn't, i.e. "No, Dad, I'm pretty sure that this is a serious problem." Tell your loved ones how they can help. This might be assisting you with locating a professional like a therapist, a psychologist, or a psychiatrist, but it might be in other ways. Loved ones can contribute by assisting you with everyday tasks, encouraging you to eat well, get exercise, and socialize, or offering moral support. Ask them to help you find treatment, i.e. "I'm afraid to make an appointment, but I know I should see a doctor. Can you help me find someone and follow through?" You might also ask them to take you to appointments and make sure that you attend any support groups. You might also ask for day-to-day support, i.e. "I need you to be there and to encourage me. Can you make sure that I'm getting out?" Or, "I just would appreciate your love and a hug once in a while." Chances are that your family will reach out and want to know how to help you. Still, you should expect to field questions. Just be patient and answer as best you can, remembering that the more your loved ones know, the better they can support you and your recovery. One question you may get is, "What's causing this?" They may also want to know how long you've been having severe anxiety. The exact cause of anxiety disorder isn't usually clear, but try to answer as honestly as possible. Your loved ones may also be worried that the anxiety is related to something they said or did. Reassure them that it's not their fault. Keep at it even if it takes your loved ones a while to accept your anxiety disorder or to believe it. Repeat yourself. Raise the topic again and reiterate your desire to get help, if you feel your family is brushing you off. Stress that you think the problem is serious and interfering with your daily life. Treatment is important enough to ask as many times as need be. Repeat yourself as often as necessary. For example, you could say, "Mom, I really think that something is seriously wrong. I want to see someone." Stress that your situation is not just everyday fear: i.e. "No, Dad, this is different. I feel immobilized by this anxiety." Talk to another trusted adult if your family is not able or willing to help. Think about other people you can confide inlike teachers, mentors, counselors, friends, or coachesand let them know what you're going through. Tell someone that you trust, who will listen to you, and who will respect your privacy.

SUMMARY: Ask for help. Suggest ways for your family to support you. Be patient and expect to answer questions. Don't give up.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: These are the first two notes of your scale. Play the root note, here the E on the open sixth string, then move down three frets. Most people play this second note with their ring finger or pinky. Remember that the pentatonic scale is a "shape." You can move this to start on any note on the 6th string. The first note of the scale will be the song's key. These three notes are where the blues scale differs from the pentatonic, which ignores the first fret. This note, however, is the "flat fifth" in music theory that makes a song sound bluesy. You will play three notes total on the A string. The flat fifth is an accent -- it is best played quickly, not lingered on. Note how a box-like pattern is forming. The open strings form a constant "line" of notes in the scale, while your ring finger frets a box either 2-3 frets down. Here, you simply play the open string and the second fret. This third fret is actually a reoccurring flat fifth -- it is the octave of the note you played earlier. Theory aside, this means the 3rd fret, usually played with your pinky, is another bluesy accent note. The last two strings are identical to the first string. Simply create this little box between the open string and the third frets on both the high-E and B strings. You can play the exact same scale starting from a different E. Simply move the whole form down to the 12th fret, since the 6th string 12th fret note is another E. Now, instead of playing open notes, you simply fret every string on the 12th fret when you get to it. Everything else stays in place. Now that you know the scale, practice getting up and down it as smoothly and quickly as possible, in multiple locations across the fret board. Check out "Master Lead Guitar Basics" for cool ways to use notes in a solo or improvisation.

SUMMARY:
Play the open note and the 3rd fret on the sixth string. Move down a string, playing the open note, the first fret, and the second fret. Play the open string and second fret on the D string. Play the open string, second fret, and third fret on the G string. Play the open string and the 3rd fret of the last two strings. Move the whole scale down to the 12th fret to see how easily the form moves.