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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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Whatsinaname Horrible week
  • replies: 85

Hi everyone, I'm having a horrible week, so just thought I would post to see how everyone else is going? I'm having a hard time getting out of the shame spiral this week, but trying to remember this is only temporary. Anyway, hope others are well, ha... View more

Hi everyone, I'm having a horrible week, so just thought I would post to see how everyone else is going? I'm having a hard time getting out of the shame spiral this week, but trying to remember this is only temporary. Anyway, hope others are well, happy to chat about anything.

Guest_25827336 Anxiety symptoms - feels like tension and nerves?
  • replies: 1

Hello - my name is Scott and I am 51 - I have GAD and Agrophobia but generally in control until last year - tried to get off medication, but after several months of horrific side effects went back on - however still suffering anxiety - my question is... View more

Hello - my name is Scott and I am 51 - I have GAD and Agrophobia but generally in control until last year - tried to get off medication, but after several months of horrific side effects went back on - however still suffering anxiety - my question is if other people feel it in the same way - for me it is a feeling of tension in my head, a little like pressure in the back of my head, like I have had way too much caffeine. I get dizzy and need to twitch sometimes to relieve the tension in the back of my head - does this sound familiar to anyone at all? Any replies appreciated. Scott...

Code05 Obsessive Cleaning - Please help!
  • replies: 7

Hi everyone! This morning I had a breakdown, the feeling of a ‘dirty’ house got the best of me. If I see a small piece of dust, toothpaste on the sink, footprint on the floor or even a smear on the kitchen sink I get an urge to fully clean by entire ... View more

Hi everyone! This morning I had a breakdown, the feeling of a ‘dirty’ house got the best of me. If I see a small piece of dust, toothpaste on the sink, footprint on the floor or even a smear on the kitchen sink I get an urge to fully clean by entire house. This morning, I tried to let it go. My husband was wanting to go out and as I was doing my hair I noticed how desperately the basin in the ensuite needed a wipe. Then I noticed the dust on the window sill, the basket of dirty washing. As I walked to the kitchen I noticed the coffee cup on the sink I’d just cleaned, then the floor the needed a vacuum. I tried to let it go, but I had a hot flush, my hands started shaking, legs feeling weak and my mind racing. I said to my husband that I couldn’t go, I needed to clean the house. Not just wanted to.. needed to. I can’t relax or enjoy life until I know my house is clean. I could tell he was annoyed, he can’t see what I see. He tells me the house is spotless and continues to leave. But I can’t, I can’t be calm and happy until the house is clean. And not just tidy, clean, not one bit of dust. Everyone comments on how clean our home is. I think this contributes to my need to uphold this reputation. please, any advice or help on this would be greatly appreciated. I haven’t seen a professional about this or received any kind of diagnosis.

JacintaMarie Depressed
  • replies: 6

Hi How are you? Sorry, I'm back & I can't get my mind off of the thought that my management at work is not good. They're okay. I think I need to leave, but I'm terrible at getting jobs. Plus too, I'm the only one who thinks our management is not doin... View more

Hi How are you? Sorry, I'm back & I can't get my mind off of the thought that my management at work is not good. They're okay. I think I need to leave, but I'm terrible at getting jobs. Plus too, I'm the only one who thinks our management is not doing a good job! My brain has given up & I don't want to have ideas, as no one likes them & they don't like change. Most people there think management are the best (I don't say anything, as it wouldn't be professional) , which makes me more lonely as I'm the only one and I feel bad & guilty. Don't get me wrong, their not bad people, just not good managers, more into the money. I'm so bad, that I've been wishing for directors or judges or lawyers to tell them what to do. I can't seem to rid my brain of this thought, to just do my work. I can't go to HR, as they can't do anything - I'm an awful awful person, for even thinking how hopeless they are - plus too, they act like their doing a wonderful job - so I'm wrong Thanks for letting me rant - and I am trying to find another job, but it's hard & than I get more depressed, because there's probably more bad management out there & so there's no point in leaving... I've been doing really great, & now... On the bright side, it was a nice day today... I understand why people get depressed at work, but also sad as management are people, but can't see the wood for the trees, that people can't talk to them, to tell the truth. I can now understand how court cases happen because of it, but that's useless as unless people want to change, they won't. But also too, in the world, there's no hope as bad management stays in organisations- no one cares.

Petal22 Postnatal Anxiety
  • replies: 10

I wanted to start this thread to bring awareness to postnatal anxiety. I think its important for people to be aware that sometimes after giving birth and during pregnancy postnatal anxiety can be experienced by the mother or father. I have a lived ex... View more

I wanted to start this thread to bring awareness to postnatal anxiety. I think its important for people to be aware that sometimes after giving birth and during pregnancy postnatal anxiety can be experienced by the mother or father. I have a lived experience of postnatal anxiety, in my experience I experienced this condition after both of my pregnancies, the second pregnancy was more sever than the first. Below I've listed some of the things I experienced while going through this condition : I always felt on edge. I didn't feel comfortable allowing the baby to be out of my sight. I found it hard to allow others to hold my baby. I was highly anxious when we were both out of the house in public. I had a fear of going out with my babies or leaving them with anyone else. I was highly anxious about people coming into the house while baby was sleeping ( incase they woke up the baby). This condition was extremely difficult to go through with a new born who I loved and cared for very much, because I felt I just couldn't relax and enjoy the time we had together because I was constantly in fear and flight mode, it was an exhausting stressful condition to have especially while caring for a baby. This anxiety is intense and it can creep up on you, the first step towards recovery is seeking help from a professional.. a good place to start is at your gp you can do a mental health plan together this will allow you to see a psychologist. In some areas there are perinatal clinics that specialise in these types of conditions a clinical psychologist and a phyciatrist sometimes run out of the same clinic. I seeked professional help for what I experienced and recovered. If you are reading this and feel that you may be suffering with this condition or know someone who may be I encourage you to seek professional help and if you know some one who may be experiencing this condition encourage them to seek professional help. Life really can get a lot better once professional help is received. Your not alone, please ask me anything if you have any questions .

Guest_32566210 Severe anxiety
  • replies: 1

Hey everyone, I haven't posted on these forums for as long as I can remember. I've been battling anxiety on and off for the last 10-15 years. For the most part it's been pretty well managed with some low level anxiety always present but life has most... View more

Hey everyone, I haven't posted on these forums for as long as I can remember. I've been battling anxiety on and off for the last 10-15 years. For the most part it's been pretty well managed with some low level anxiety always present but life has mostly been pretty good. I take a low dose of medication and have been for around 8-9 years and I guess it's been doing it's thing. I also see a therapist monthly that helps keep things in check. I'm physically active, have a good job, don't drink, don't smoke and don't do drugs. About a month ago I came out of a 6 mth quite turbulent relationship, which was my first real relationship in 7-8 years. I fell for her quite hard, she wasn't emotionally available and this led to lots of arguments, clashing and ultimately me breaking up with her as it was triggering severe anxiety for me. We tried to be friends afterwards however that quickly ran it's course as it continued to make both of us anxious and she eventually asked to break contact completely about a month ago. Since then my anxiety has been escalating significantly. Every day has been a big struggle however I've been active and functional and even gone on a few dates trying to move on and forward with my life. In the past couple of weeks my sleep has really suffered. I've been waking up between 3-4am every morning with severe anxiety symptoms and have been unable to get back to sleep so I've been forced to start my day. The anxiety continues throughout the day, slowly peeters off as the day goes on and leaves me exhausted by the late afternoon and evening. I've purposely been going to bed at around 7-8pm in order to get enough sleep to be able to function throughout the day due to the early wakeups. By far the worst symptoms are the racing thoughts and this horrible feeling in my chest that feels like someone's squeezing me tightly. It's unbearable. I've been slowly increasing my medication dose as per my GP instructions however it's been around 10 days of that and can't really feel a difference. If anything I feel I'm getting worse. Reaching out here for some love, support and hope as it's really getting to me and I'm really struggling with all of it at the moment and just want things to start to improve. Sending love.

smallwolf Changing Jobs
  • replies: 5

I am in the middle of changing jobs - going from a P/T position to a F/T one. The new job starts next week. I am actually looking forward to that. It is the handover that makes me has worrying like crazy. At the moment there is nobody to replace me. ... View more

I am in the middle of changing jobs - going from a P/T position to a F/T one. The new job starts next week. I am actually looking forward to that. It is the handover that makes me has worrying like crazy. At the moment there is nobody to replace me. And today, I was made (?) to feel bad because of lack of holidays I took in the time I was in the P/T position. That I was in the wrong. I wish that I was not feeling guilty about this. My "manager" was very testy in the meeting ... which by the way was impromptu, and because this was my last week. Anyway, sometime after the meeting was over, I was chatting with a couple of others in the "meeting" and one apologised to me, and the other told me about other things that would be on the manager's mind. None of this is any excuse I feel, and feel as though I am just the punching bad and in the wrong place at the wrong time. And then there were some other things said that made me question my worth.... I thought that if I wrote this down, things would get a little easier in my head. In reality, this is just the continuation of what is turning out to be a crappy year! And renews my cynicism about people!

Bookgirl feeling overwhelmed
  • replies: 1

I am feeling very depressed and spent last 2 days in bed. My husband has lost his job. I have a good job and am the main breadwinner. At the end of the month our mortgage goes from fixed to variable which is a big increase. We could cover it with him... View more

I am feeling very depressed and spent last 2 days in bed. My husband has lost his job. I have a good job and am the main breadwinner. At the end of the month our mortgage goes from fixed to variable which is a big increase. We could cover it with him working but with him not we are going to struggle. He is older and its hard for him to get work. He says i need to be positive but he leaves it to me to help him apply for jobs and I will be the one talking to the bank etc if we need to. I just feel totally overwhelmed as my son and mother have ongoing health issues and I am just exhausted. I feel like crying all the time and feel lost. He says it will be ok. It just doesn't feel that way right now.

Guest_05730513 Advice & support.
  • replies: 4

I am middle aged & suffered from crippling bouts of anxiety for over 5 years now. Once a very self-assured, positive thinking person to a shadow of my former self. Medication, self-help books, therapy & exercise do help, but haven't resolved this lon... View more

I am middle aged & suffered from crippling bouts of anxiety for over 5 years now. Once a very self-assured, positive thinking person to a shadow of my former self. Medication, self-help books, therapy & exercise do help, but haven't resolved this long term issue. This is impacting my relationships & all aspects of my social life. I am tired of feeling the way I do & would love some tips on what next to do. Life is too short to be feeling the way I do most days.

Marg-87_ Anxiety following stroke
  • replies: 4

Hi. I had a cerebellar stroke in July 2023. I am very thankful and grateful for the recovery I have made and realise there are a lot of people worse off than I am. Since my stroke I suffer from anxiety and find it hard to get out and enjoy myself. If... View more

Hi. I had a cerebellar stroke in July 2023. I am very thankful and grateful for the recovery I have made and realise there are a lot of people worse off than I am. Since my stroke I suffer from anxiety and find it hard to get out and enjoy myself. If i do go out I have a constant fear that something bad will happen. I also don’t sleep well so it’s constant. I have thought of discussing with my doctor but not sure if I should. I am not against taking medication to help me cope. Thank you for reading my post.Regards, Margaret