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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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Doris1 My Anxiety Story
  • replies: 1

Hi to anyone who actually reads this, So I think I'm writing this not to actually get help or advice (although i would still love it) i think I'm just kinda writing to get it all off my chest. With my anxiety, I go through what I like to call "episod... View more

Hi to anyone who actually reads this, So I think I'm writing this not to actually get help or advice (although i would still love it) i think I'm just kinda writing to get it all off my chest. With my anxiety, I go through what I like to call "episodes". These so-called episodes started in my first year at high school- year 7. The first couple of episodes started with me really intensely worrying about one certain thing. I remember the first episode was me worrying about Suicide, like really worrying myself sick. I would cry every night to my mum and dad scared of this certain thing, worried i might do it or something. Which is silly anxiety, is what I call it. But eventually, as i kept on living and thinking of other things and just doing life again, I'd forget about it and then look back and think " Yep that was a silly thing to think about". And then I would have another episode, this time i worried about being a lesbian. Silly i know that now, because there would be nothing wrong if i was a lesbian, in fact i think i might be attracted to women and of course that doesn't worry me at all now. I had a couple more silly anxiety episodes after that, about two every year i guess, but they would only last up to a month max. Some that i remember where ending my life, being a lesbian, having cancer (that was a reoccurring one), identity crisis... i just never felt like myself during the silly anxiety episodes. I always remember every single time i was in an episode it would always end up with me crying my eyes sore on my bedroom floor and sobbing to myself, "Why cant i just feel normal" every. single. time. But they where never debilitating worries, it never stopped me from going to school or having fun with friends or worrying about anything else other than that specific thing. THEN, i don't think i will ever forget this episode, it is something like i have never experienced, they only way I can describe it is this- You are in a test and you getting that flighty panicky feeling when you forget the answers and you searching trying to find it but you start to panic your head gets light and you feel the walls start closing in. This feeling is how i felt everyday for just over 3 months, there was never any break. I felt like i didn't sleep the entire time. It was the scariest time of my life, scared that i was gonna be in this panic mode for the rest of my life. (continues to next post)

razzledazzle It feels like my last shot.
  • replies: 6

For the majority of the 19 years on this planet I've struggled with mental illness, I couldn't tell you what life altering moment happened to me that caused any of it to happen because I'm still trying to figure that out myself. The last 2 years have... View more

For the majority of the 19 years on this planet I've struggled with mental illness, I couldn't tell you what life altering moment happened to me that caused any of it to happen because I'm still trying to figure that out myself. The last 2 years have been the worst mentally and physically for me, but when I say out loud what seems to be the centre of my problem -university and separation anxiety- it sounds so small and insignificant. It started in 2021, fresh out of high school and I was planning on taking a gap year, but my parents were very against the idea. Very long story short I went ended up going to a university in a different state, that I had never been to, living by myself, knowing that 5 years prior I was too scared to even sleep in my own bedroom without my parents. 5 days at the new state, after I had faced a lot of complications, I moved my luggage into my new studio and thats when something triggered. I had what I didn't realise at the time was a panic attack of some sort. I was so scared, all I wanted to was go back to my parents. Nothing could calm me down I had no one near and nowhere to go. There wasn't a moment in that studio where I didn't feel fear. Waking up to the same panic and anxiety and knowing that it would follow me for the rest of the day was unbearable. I couldn't eat, move myself, I was constantly crying, the back of my head would start to heat up and tingle almost like constant goosebumps and that when I could tell that it was going to get worse. That lasted for 4 days before I could drop everything and book a flight home because border restrictions were lifted and I wasn't trapped anymore. I didn't care that uni had already started, or how expensive the tickets were, or that my parents weren't exactly sure why I was coming back. I didn't/couldn't even tell my parents why, until a year later when I thought I should enrol into a uni a bit closer, in the same state but still a flights away, and do it online for a year, but that same feeling, came trashing back and caused me to drop out of it. My parents don't understand, they are very religious and mental health is quite taboo, they don't like the idea of me getting therapy and like to down play and complain about my situation to relatives.So now I am enrolled in yet another uni for midyear intake but this time its at home, and I can drive there. Its no way near as prestigious as the other two, and it starts in a few days and I'm so scared I'll mess it up.

DeeTwo Starting Over
  • replies: 3

Hi... I am feeling overwhelmed. A bit of back story, I am in my mid 50s, no children, second marriage, resulted in verbal, emotional and financial abuse. I left abruptly one night, when he laid into his 18yr old son.. I put all my finances into a joi... View more

Hi... I am feeling overwhelmed. A bit of back story, I am in my mid 50s, no children, second marriage, resulted in verbal, emotional and financial abuse. I left abruptly one night, when he laid into his 18yr old son.. I put all my finances into a joint named property that to be for our retirement (which I've just sold.. yeah).I've been living at my sister's & brother-in-law home for 7 months. I have minimal furniture remaining as he hid/took etc most of my things. All this at the same time I left my job, and started my own business.So, starting again... I have a few friends who have moved to the Gold Coast, plus some family there. Contemplating moving there also, but feeling overwhelmed at doing this step solo.I can't keep living where I am (I am soon to out stay my welcome).Any advice and guidance would be appreciated ☺️

Twinny Morning fear
  • replies: 10

Hello just wanted to reach out to someone who may be experiencing morning anxiety … so hard to get going alone every day feel so stuck and at my age I should have it all together but I don’t … with so much going on in the world plus the worst floods ... View more

Hello just wanted to reach out to someone who may be experiencing morning anxiety … so hard to get going alone every day feel so stuck and at my age I should have it all together but I don’t … with so much going on in the world plus the worst floods I am in a struggle for the fourth time to keep going .. does anyone else feel like this ?

Brno47 Sick of feeling like this
  • replies: 1

Hi all I've had anxiety most of my life its has gotten worse over the last 4yrs as my daughter lives in Perth and my eldest son is in Queensland and we have just found out that his wife is pregnant I drove up from Vic for the wedding but spent more t... View more

Hi all I've had anxiety most of my life its has gotten worse over the last 4yrs as my daughter lives in Perth and my eldest son is in Queensland and we have just found out that his wife is pregnant I drove up from Vic for the wedding but spent more time travelling than actually being there with them. I don't like flying but will have to do something about it as my daughter was married when covid first hit and I have not seen them yet I have an appointment for my gp this week as i haven't had my meds changed in 20 yrs so if theres any good books out there that yous can suggest i will have a look at them thanks Brno47

DocP EXISTING WITH ANXIETY
  • replies: 3

My name is Dennis, I am 77, married to an amazing lady for 55years who has been with me through thick and thin. I have had anxiety even before I knew the word. I try not to blame my condition on my early childhood but it is so hard. My last relapse w... View more

My name is Dennis, I am 77, married to an amazing lady for 55years who has been with me through thick and thin. I have had anxiety even before I knew the word. I try not to blame my condition on my early childhood but it is so hard. My last relapse was triggered when we moved to a rural area and I couldn't handle it so we returned to Adelaide and rented the house.i am at present being treated by The Older Persons Health Team who I cannot speak to highly about. Up to now I have not been one to conform to medication but I relize if I don't I won' t get better. Can anyone suggest more up to date texts on anxiety?

shellstar Pale Colourless Lips ? ANXIETY?
  • replies: 4

Hi all, I have had anxiety all my life, it is severe I suffer all sorts of deliberating symptoms:( although I have recently noticed my lips seem pale/colourless. My iron levels are fine. I’m starting to worry immensely thinking cancer ? Lung issues ?... View more

Hi all, I have had anxiety all my life, it is severe I suffer all sorts of deliberating symptoms:( although I have recently noticed my lips seem pale/colourless. My iron levels are fine. I’m starting to worry immensely thinking cancer ? Lung issues ? So please has anybody else experienced this as a anxiety symptom?

Tomyy I can’t get over my girlfriend and it’s been years
  • replies: 4

It’s been a couple years since I’ve broken up with my girlfriend. Till this day I can’t get over her , I’ve tried hanging with friends , I’ve tried talking to over girls . I’m at breaking point , she’s the only person Ive ever gotten to know so deep ... View more

It’s been a couple years since I’ve broken up with my girlfriend. Till this day I can’t get over her , I’ve tried hanging with friends , I’ve tried talking to over girls . I’m at breaking point , she’s the only person Ive ever gotten to know so deep and I can’t get over her, I can’t eat properly and have lost weight

aliceUK Unable to retrieve school reports for ADHD assessment
  • replies: 2

Hi there, I’m hoping to have an assessment for ADHD. I’m 28 years old, my older brother has a diagnosis of Asperger’s and I’m pretty sure that father is somewhere on the spectrum (undiagnosed) I migrated to Australia from UK and it’s difficult to ret... View more

Hi there, I’m hoping to have an assessment for ADHD. I’m 28 years old, my older brother has a diagnosis of Asperger’s and I’m pretty sure that father is somewhere on the spectrum (undiagnosed) I migrated to Australia from UK and it’s difficult to retrieve my school reports, my father moved out of home when I was young and I have an estranged relationship with my mother so she won’t have archived my school reports. If I can’t access them through the school (I’m still waiting for a response) will I be able to have the assessment take place purely on my symptoms now and having my other family members confirm my symptoms when I was in school? I’m really struggling at the moment with everything in my day to day life and I’ll be so sad if I can’t have my assessment because of my reports. I understand the requirement to have symptoms showing prior to be an adult, but these documents aren’t always accessible unfortunately.

crazycatlover77 Anxiety over work re sick leave
  • replies: 4

Hi all, I'm really struggling with work. I have chronic illnesses which cause constant pain and part of treatment is an immune suppressing medication. I'm 25 and I have had anxiety and depression in connection with the chronic illness for many years.... View more

Hi all, I'm really struggling with work. I have chronic illnesses which cause constant pain and part of treatment is an immune suppressing medication. I'm 25 and I have had anxiety and depression in connection with the chronic illness for many years. I have only recently won a permanent position in my workplace 10 months ago. Due to my chronic illnesses and the immune suppressing meds, I have a fairly significant amount of time off work sick (think 35 ish days/rolling 12 months). My employer has engaged HR and placed me on an attendance plan. They state it is due to the fact I am unable to accrue personal leave and have ended up needing unpaid sick leave (they don't allow me to use annual leave when I run out of personal). I have always provided medical certificates and letters from medical profs. Work state they "want me to be present in the workplace as much as possible" and have mentioned concerns about my finances. The pressure not to take sick leave is crushing me; there are days I can scarcely manage to get out of bed for pain and other symptoms as well as being prone to catching things due to being immunocompromised. Every time I can't go to work I'm terrified to tell them. When my boss answers the phone and I say my name, I can hear the change in tone; oh, it's you, *again*. It's causing significant guilt, fear and anxiety. Their 'management' has caused me escalating anxiety as I am constantly in fear of losing my job; it feels like they're building a case against me. Add to this I have been moved to new work and gone from high performing to not meeting expectations and am now required to work with people who are experiencing FDV. It's become a perfect storm of anxiety/depression that is getting serious. It's been worse the last few weeks as I caught COVID-19 for the first time. I've been bedridden for two weeks and the doctor has just requested I rest another week before returning to normal activities. I've gone straight from fearing I could die to fearing I will lose my job. I feel so guilty for how long it's taking to recover. I'm really lost. I'm trying to get a mental health care plan but I'm not sure I can afford the gap to see a psychologist and none in my area bulk bill. Any advice or info appreciated. Thanks,Catlover