Could I have an anxiety disorder? Are these panic attacks?

It sounds like you do have general anxiety, yes. General anxiety is characterized by excessive worrying about everyday occurrences and possible outcomes of events.

"But I feel like if I'm anxious about stuff, thinking of the worst, somehow I can be more prepared for it or even prevent the bad things from happening."

^ This is an EXTREMELY common experience among people with anxiety, which is why it can be very hard for us to give up our anxiety through treatment. Our anxiety is a defense mechanism which we feel protects us from the bad things that might happen to us. The fact that you feel this way further proves that you definitely are experiencing anxiety.

As for panic attacks, it's hard to say. I'll list the diagnostic criteria of a panic attack for you, and you decide for yourself if it sounds like something you experience:

"A panic attack is defined as an abrupt surge of intense fear or intense discomfort that reaches a peak within minutes, and during which time FOUR or more of the following symptoms occur. The abrupt surge can occur from a calm state or an anxious state:

1. Palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate

2. Sweating

3. Trembling or shaking

4. Sensations of shortness of breath or smothering

5. Feeling of choking

6. Chest pain or discomfort

7. Nausea or abdominal distress

8. Feeling dizzy, unsteady, lightheaded, or faint

9. Chills or heat sensations

10. Paresthesias (numbness or tingling sensations)

11. Derealization (feelings of unreality) or depersonalization (being detached from oneself)

12. Fear of losing control or going crazy

13. Fear of dying"

It sounds like you do. I haven t been diagnosed, but my dad has been 99% sure I have some anxiety disorders for a while, since it runs in the family. Anyways, do your research, look up different anxiety disorders, take quizzes, look at symptoms, but don t self diagnose yourself, since you never know if you actually have this problem. You should also keep in mind that if this is a recent thing, you probably do not have it, since people with anxiety disorders other than ptsd (post traumatic stress disorder) typically inherit it genetically, so you d have it for a very long time. After you ve done your research, I suggest asking one of your parents if they can take you to a psychologist/psychiatrist who can diagnose you within a few visits, if he/she believes you have this problem. Hopefully this helped ^^

I'm 16 by the way.

i am 19 and i am the same..... i thought i was the only one.....yes we are anxious because of our past..