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Anxiety

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Chris_B Forums etiquette: give support to receive support
  • replies: 0

Hi everyone, particularly any new members who may be reading. From time to time, we get contacted by members who are unhappy that they haven’t received a lot of replies to their posts. Our community champions work very hard to make sure that all newb... View more

Hi everyone, particularly any new members who may be reading. From time to time, we get contacted by members who are unhappy that they haven’t received a lot of replies to their posts. Our community champions work very hard to make sure that all newbies are welcomed when they first post, and we understand that it’s a big step to post for the first time on a forum like this, especially if you aren’t feeling great. It’s important to remember, though, that these forums are a community of real people, just like you, not a one-on-one support environment like going to see your psychologist. To get the best out of being here, one of the best tips we can offer is give support to receive support. Being a good community member means: participating in different threads (not just your own), replying to people who have taken the time to reply to you (even if it’s just to say thank you), and... posting words of emotional support and encouragement when you see others who are hurting and reaching out. You don’t have to feel obliged to solve the problems of others: that’s not what we’re here for. But you can offer empathy and what you’ve learned from your own life experiences, even if it’s just a line or two, eg. “I don't know what to say, but I want to give you my support and tell you I care about what is happening to you and hope life will get better soon.” Try to develop an interest in the journeys of others here on the forums. You may be surprised at how good being an active, caring member here can make you feel. For those of you who have had good experiences giving support here on the forums, please post in this thread here and let us know how it has helped you on your journey.

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kned Being present/grounding yourself??
  • replies: 7

I'm finding it really hard to be present with my husband and kids. My mind is always thinking about what I need to do (washing, cleaning etc), my job, the mental load that comes with having a young family and all the things I need to keep a track of.... View more

I'm finding it really hard to be present with my husband and kids. My mind is always thinking about what I need to do (washing, cleaning etc), my job, the mental load that comes with having a young family and all the things I need to keep a track of. I feel like it is getting too much for me. Like my husband is a housemate and we are drifting along but on different paths. I spoke to a Psychologist 6 months ago and they were really lovely, but basically just said to me that my life was too busy and I needed to change things. I tried but I just cant find a way to change it! My kids and their needs will always be there, my work is part time but it is basically a full time job squeezed into less days. I try to have time out for myself but it rarely happens due to various reasons. I feel anxious often and like life is rushing by but I'm not really enjoying it/feeling pleasure in the small things. Are there any apps that help with anxiety? or websites with ideas to try?

Sara88 Heart Anxiety
  • replies: 15

Hi,I am looking for support with my heart/cardiac anxiety issues. I am 34 and this started a few years back, i started having sharp chest pains and heart palpitations. It started one night when i was falling asleep and this weird feeling woke me up a... View more

Hi,I am looking for support with my heart/cardiac anxiety issues. I am 34 and this started a few years back, i started having sharp chest pains and heart palpitations. It started one night when i was falling asleep and this weird feeling woke me up and i was terrified and panicked that my heart felt weird, shrugged it off for a while and tried to ignore it and go back to sleep but this kept coming and going for weeks/months.. This led to feelings of numbness and tingling in my arms etc and chest pains and then anxiety wondering if it was my heart. I couldn't work out if it was my anxiety triggering the symptoms or the symptoms triggering my anxiety. i ended up going to hospital. they did bloods/ecg and i had an MRI and a heart monitor for 24hrs and went to a cardiac doctor.They all basically said that it was nothing to do with my heart and everything came back normal. The cardiac doctor laughed and said there is no way it could be my heart at my age and to stop worrying about it (i also have no risk factors at all, no family history, normal weight, no diabetes, no smoking, barely drink) After this reassurance i convinced myself it was just anxiety and gradually it became non existant for a few years. Well this last 6 months i've had it again out of nowhere... it comes and goes.. it started waking me at night when id start to fall asleep this weird feeling.. and id panic it was my heart again. Then the little chest pains would start up and the anxiety would follow and id start googling and everything says heart attack symptoms. So then every little symptom id start to worry again.I have been back to the doctor a month ago who listened to my heart and did an ecg and came back normal again (but these ecgs are always done when im not experiening the pain or palpitations at that time)So i dont know if its the anxiety creeping up again and just creating these symptoms. I try to keep calm and tell myself to stop worrying because if i start worrying the symptoms get worse. Does anyone have similar? I do things to take my mind off it and it does work sometimes but other times it doesn't and i feel something is wrong and im going to die eventually from heart attack or something. Has anyone had these symptoms and it actually be heart related or is it just the anxiety creating the physical symptoms? Any words of advice would be appreciated

car10001 Needing and wanting friends
  • replies: 2

hi everyonewas wondering what people do these days to find a girlfriend or boyfriend and is there still a way you can still meet someone from this generation the good old ways like our parents did in the 80s-90s by actually going out and meeting face... View more

hi everyonewas wondering what people do these days to find a girlfriend or boyfriend and is there still a way you can still meet someone from this generation the good old ways like our parents did in the 80s-90s by actually going out and meeting face to face.wondered because found out that the sisters seeing someone and its reminding you how much you want the friend and you know that it wont happen fast and you are doing everything you can and you cant do anymore at moment.am usually working every weekend and while thats not all the reason its certainly not helping things.is there a way and what can be done until your not working weekends or holidays or atleast not every one of them.just feeling like it is never going to happen even though people say it will eventually, donthave hundreds every time to hire a social companion even if its get the confidence.and sometimes you feel like you have no one even though you really do.what are good ways to talk to girls/people and let them know what youre looking for.where would you go in a small town and is there a way to meet someone from this generation way people used to by going out.what is a way to find a girl during coronavirus, what is a safe way while trying to delay or avoid it as thats one thing not helping.plus at property theres not enough privacy and just doing best with what have got at moment.Every time you try do something especially in nearest city there’s always something reducing the time and sometimes you want more time at a event or in the city and she’s nearly always going because of seeing someone though not impossible to go to some things by yourself.Most single people would have friends similar age as well as older friends they could meet there.if you could reply back thatd be great.thanks

Montanna_1997 Horrible anxiety in the morning
  • replies: 8

My anxiety is ruining my work life and social life. I’m constantly having panic attacks in the morning before work. I try my absolute hardest to make things seem less anxious but it’s not working. I had a moment this morning where I got to work but h... View more

My anxiety is ruining my work life and social life. I’m constantly having panic attacks in the morning before work. I try my absolute hardest to make things seem less anxious but it’s not working. I had a moment this morning where I got to work but had a break down and was sent home. Now I’m left feeling lazy and silly. I want to get my life back because of course I cannot keep avoiding going to work because I NEED money to pay things. I have had a job since I was 14 and always been completely fine with going... I would have my bad days but be able to handle them. Has anyone been through this before or experienced this feeling? If so, how did you cope with it?

naralle Struggling with my Anxiety
  • replies: 3

I'm 43 years old and I've been struggling with my Anxiety for a while now, but just recently we got an email from the real estate letting us know of an inspection coming early next month. I can't stop stressing over it and my anxiety is medium to hig... View more

I'm 43 years old and I've been struggling with my Anxiety for a while now, but just recently we got an email from the real estate letting us know of an inspection coming early next month. I can't stop stressing over it and my anxiety is medium to high. Our property manager well she has high standards and everything has to be spick and span. Hence my Anxiety is medium to high. I'm even struggling to shut off to sleep on the moment because of this. What do I do?

Kathy V Meditation or therapy ?
  • replies: 3

Hi there I came to Australia in 2015 because of my Australian partner. I am experiencing depression anxiety and severe anxiety since I was 11. Tried some medication but had lots of issues. I love my partner He is a good man but I am not giving him a ... View more

Hi there I came to Australia in 2015 because of my Australian partner. I am experiencing depression anxiety and severe anxiety since I was 11. Tried some medication but had lots of issues. I love my partner He is a good man but I am not giving him a good life, He sees me always angry depressed, suicidal, miserable. I found hard living in regional Australia as I was used to a busy city life in Europe. I noticed I am getting worse, I experience deep depression in winter, I can't finish anything I start like courses because I can't keep any focus on what I am doing. All my thoughts are going to situation in the past or worries, I worry about my family and past all day long, I can't find peace. Also I am feeling like I am wasting my life and my partner's time, he is a good person and doesn't deserve my swing moods and depression.He is 67 and still working hard and running his small business, I wish he could have a much better partner than me ..I am living in a sense of permanent guilt as a family member passed away without any assistance from Me and my family. I was in Australia and we left this family member alone dealing with her physical and mental illness.Not sure how to turn my life into something nice anymore .... I love Australia but my worries and my thoughts are going to my country and I am not able to enjoy life .

Edie07 I'm not sure what I'm feeling
  • replies: 4

So, mental health disorders are always something my family has struggled to be open about. Reading through everything I realise now that the heaviness, sadness, stress and anxiousness might be symptoms of anxiety. I'm a perfectionist, I push myself i... View more

So, mental health disorders are always something my family has struggled to be open about. Reading through everything I realise now that the heaviness, sadness, stress and anxiousness might be symptoms of anxiety. I'm a perfectionist, I push myself in music and sport and school and work and I know how to look after my body, but I don't know any coping strategies for my mind. My parents are incredibly unresponsive when I talk about how the sadness I've been feeling seems overwhelming and continuous, "everyone feels this way but you'll be fine tomorrow", "can we talk about this later when you're not upset". I've been feeling awful for weeks and nobody realises because I try so hard to not feel these emotions. I don't feel loved, I don't like my friends, I feel so, so alone. And things that used to excite me like parties and guys I don't have the energy or the want to keep up with. I guess my question is how do I keep from spiralling, and how can I introduce coping strategies to get past what I'm feeling. Asking anyone in a similar position or who's been through this and is okay. I don't want to be sad and I feel guilty and ashamed for feeling overwhelmed, I don't know where all the pressure is coming from and I don't know how to carry it.

Fryifler What Am I Feeling?
  • replies: 5

Let me preface this by saying I am in a happy, healthy marriage of 3 years and also have 2 children who are as happy as can be.Last year in November I developed an issue with intrusive thoughts, I'd attempt to avoid thinking them but they'd keep on c... View more

Let me preface this by saying I am in a happy, healthy marriage of 3 years and also have 2 children who are as happy as can be.Last year in November I developed an issue with intrusive thoughts, I'd attempt to avoid thinking them but they'd keep on coming. They were sexual in nature however, I made sure to tell my wife about them and once we had both understood the situation it simmered down. Everything was fine until at work this new girl started, I felt something one day that almost felt like a crush (didn't realise how common it was for even married people to develop them) and unfortunately even with that emotion I kept hanging out with her. I understand now that is emotional cheating and I regret my decision every day.When I told my wife that I was still walking with, talking to and hanging out with this girl she was rightly very hurt and upset. However, since that day I have noticed my emotions haven't been right. Constant anxiety about being guilty, anxiety attacks are a near daily occurrence, overthinking everything, more intrusive thoughts and such. One thing that has happened as of recent is feeling similar feelings to that of a crush on random people. It happens to people of all age, size, sex and ethnicity. I am very concerned as I know I don't have feelings for these people as some I have never met in my life and some I have known for years. What could be causing this and what would this even be? I keep feeling guilty for feeling these things even though they mean nothing. Please help me as I am so very lost with what I am even feeling. Thank you so much.

Lindy77 I’m struggling and scared
  • replies: 5

Hi allmy panic disorder seems to be getting worse it’s becoming constant all through out the day. My doctor is trying to help me and has started me on a beta blocker it takes the edge off for a little while but then it comes back. It’s becoming debil... View more

Hi allmy panic disorder seems to be getting worse it’s becoming constant all through out the day. My doctor is trying to help me and has started me on a beta blocker it takes the edge off for a little while but then it comes back. It’s becoming debilitating and it feels like I’m having a heart attack. I feel like I’m not breathing in enough and I’m constantly taking deep breaths in to get that feeling I’m getting oxygen in my lungs. I’m constantly checking the ECG and blood oxygen level and heart rate on my Apple Watch… I don’t know what’s happening to me I’m scared.

dean_TSO Outsider
  • replies: 4

Hi maybe some background to wear I’m at I’m 58 unemployed married wife is on a disability pension because of a severe spinal deformation. I’m reliant on the unemployment benefit to support myself. I’ve lived with depression and social anxiety as long... View more

Hi maybe some background to wear I’m at I’m 58 unemployed married wife is on a disability pension because of a severe spinal deformation. I’m reliant on the unemployment benefit to support myself. I’ve lived with depression and social anxiety as long as I can remember first suicidal attempt grade 7 drug overdose 2 weeks in hospital. I managed to avoid antidepressants until my early fifties. I’m currently taking a low dose. My problem is that I’m sick of fighting my demons just to participate in society I would prefer to isolate myself as much as possible and try and live my life in peace and quit but how can I do that if I still reliant on the outside world for my income etc.