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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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durintam Fear of getting long covid
  • replies: 4

Hello,It's been a good 4 years since COVID-19 has become a part of our society and culture. Though many people have forgotten it, with relaxed restrictions, less people wearing masks, it's still a prevalent thing that exists. I even got a little comp... View more

Hello,It's been a good 4 years since COVID-19 has become a part of our society and culture. Though many people have forgotten it, with relaxed restrictions, less people wearing masks, it's still a prevalent thing that exists. I even got a little complacent with all the relaxed restrictions, and though I had the passive idea that it is still going around, it didn't bother me like it is bothering me now. I got COVID last week, and very fortunately recovered quickly and without much impact. I think this is my third time since the start of the pandemic in 2020. Once in 2022, 2023 and now 2024. But this time round, what has stuck with me is this lingering fear of Long COVID. Something about being debilitated and unable to function, and that being outside of your control, has been frightening to me. I have managed to overcome a spiral by realizing the ironic fact that worrying and being anxious about becoming chronically sick is taking away from the time that I'm not! But I've noticed myself become a bit more conscious of having my hands clean, washing them a lot more often, and getting frustrated when I need to touch my face for an itch, because I don't want to build (or reinforce) a habit that might increase my risk of getting COVID again. Being clean and hygienic is good, but I feel like I'm slipping, becoming a bit obsessive and irrational about it, because it's all so much to maintain and it feels overwhelming, but at the same time I don't want to get COVID again. What I mean by hard to maintain is that, the recommended preventative strategies for COVID is to wash hands properly, cover cough and sneezes, try not to touch face, stay up to date with vaccines and boosters. But as much as I wash my hands, There are so many things I touch and interact with in the day, potentially something that could be dirty or contaminated, and I might need to itch my face or touch it without me realizing, then I'll have to go back to wash my hands so I can safely touch my face. What if I might touch my face subconsciously, or I might need to scratch an itch near my nose or mouth or eye? If I constantly wash my hands or hand sanitizing after I touch anything, I will have reassurance that my hands were clean and I've lowered risk of catching covid. But... that seems excessive, it feels like an unhealthy anxious behaviour, and I don't want to live with that image of constantly washing my hands... But... short of doing it means I wouldn't actually be sure that my hands are clean and lower the risk if I touched my face, so what's even the point? I've also been feeling selfish. That despite me being part of a low risk demographic (young, working immunity, no chronic illnesses) my main concern with getting COVID is not to reduce risk of spreading for people who are actually at risk, but rather my selfish obsession and fear for my own self-preservation. I hate that I am feeling like this. I feel so stupid for feeling like this. I have been unemployed for the past few months, and perhaps that has given me too much free-time to let these thoughts fester. Fortunately I have managed to get employment somewhere and these thoughts and this behavior has not been encouraging to my capacity to function at work when the time comes.

Chris1983 Holding down a job
  • replies: 6

I find it extremely difficult to hold down a Job for years. If I tell you about my past maybe this might help with someone trying to understand. I lived over seas for some of my child hood until coming down to Australia and being placed in a boarding... View more

I find it extremely difficult to hold down a Job for years. If I tell you about my past maybe this might help with someone trying to understand. I lived over seas for some of my child hood until coming down to Australia and being placed in a boarding school. I was diagnosed with ADD when I was very young and I also have a very low borderline IQ. So learning new information and keeping up with the speed of this crazy world is difficult for me. I've never been a selfish person or a greedy person. I just thought that if I could put my problems out there someone would be able to understand, or if they feel the same way towards my thoughts. I was only told of my limitations around 5 years ago by my parents (I'm now 40 years old) I find it difficult to read and retain information too. I've accepted my fate and I'm seeing a psychiatrist how ever the medication does not seem to be working so now we are trying psycho therapy soon. I get easily influenced by people as you can imagine, with having a low IQ so problem solving skills are not good. I've given up on the world and I've accepted my fate. I'm not adapting to this crazy world and I've struggled my whole life with absolutely everything. I hope someone out there is able to understand or share there experiences which are similar to mine. I've found the transition from childhood to adult hood absolutely crazy and I've been trying to keep up with the world, but frankly have given up.

Kay-1471 Health anxiety
  • replies: 1

Hi everyone Thank you for letting me join I wrote a post a couple of days ago But I didn't mention alot So here we go I am 53 yrs old I have suffer from health anxiety and PTSD OCD and general anxiety and I have done for years now and I thought I had... View more

Hi everyone Thank you for letting me join I wrote a post a couple of days ago But I didn't mention alot So here we go I am 53 yrs old I have suffer from health anxiety and PTSD OCD and general anxiety and I have done for years now and I thought I had an handle on it but not of late I feel really stupid and not sure what to do every time someone passes away that I know from what my mum did it triggers my health anxiety really bad and recently my friends partner died 2 Weeks ago I keep googling my symptoms and to scared to go to the doctors so I being living fear for about a while now not sure where to turn Thank you for reading

Bull What a last year
  • replies: 2

Hi first time for mei come fro a very violent childhood where I watched my dad bash my mum repeatedly we were always rescued by our grandparents finally mum met another man which was good for her but he lashed out on meLast year September….ive split ... View more

Hi first time for mei come fro a very violent childhood where I watched my dad bash my mum repeatedly we were always rescued by our grandparents finally mum met another man which was good for her but he lashed out on meLast year September….ive split up my wife after 29 years & going through divorce & settlement of property etcour sons 27&26 but still are upsetJanuary….my 14 year old dog diedfebuary….i met a lady march…a close friend of hers diedmay….my mum diedaugust…this lady who I fell in love with has told me to go away

SandySue Anxiety rears it’s ugly head again
  • replies: 2

Hi members, I have suffered from severe anxiety since 2013 and in 2019 and now again in 2024. I should have recognised the early warning signs but I brushed them aside thinking that I could get on top of it myself. So here I am 2 months into what has... View more

Hi members, I have suffered from severe anxiety since 2013 and in 2019 and now again in 2024. I should have recognised the early warning signs but I brushed them aside thinking that I could get on top of it myself. So here I am 2 months into what has been a hellish ride dealing with anxiety, insomnia and no appetite. I tried natural alternatives but after 6 weeks I have had to give in to taking medication. I’m just approaching week 2 and feel that there has been no let up as yet. I’m trying to be patient as I do realise that they take time to work, hopefully. I am 68 and feel that my life is slipping away from me and that each day is wasted by not being functional. I had a part time job that I enjoyed and the thought of even attempting to return is non existent. I feel very isolated and lonely even though I have support. I just want to return to the old me again.

Lu8Lu8 How To Stay Afloat
  • replies: 2

Hi all, it’s been a while since I’ve been in here. I’m really struggling again with anxious thoughts and feeling like I’m drowning. I am struggling to even find the place to start. I am studying my masters in teaching and am currently on placement an... View more

Hi all, it’s been a while since I’ve been in here. I’m really struggling again with anxious thoughts and feeling like I’m drowning. I am struggling to even find the place to start. I am studying my masters in teaching and am currently on placement and absolutely loving it. However, I feel a little overwhelmed by the workload of uni assessments and prac teaching. I’m also stressing about going back to my regular teacher aide job once prac is done as I know I will hate not being able to teach. My partner and I are also looking to buy our first house together which has been stressful figuring out what we both do and don’t want, looking at houses and getting excited and then disappointed when things aren’t as they seem. My partner also works a lot so we barely get time to see each other and it gets lonely. I don’t really have friends either because I find it hard to make and keep friends due to personality differences. Even though I seem to be handling everything on my plate okay, I feel like I’m drowning sometimes. I get anxious and I overthink and worry about how things will turn out or if they will turn out. It can be hard to switch my mind off to go to sleep at night. I try to listen to soundscapes and meditations every once in a while which can help but often it just irritates me. I do yoga but I just don’t find the time to be consistent with it. I honestly want to start a hobby like watercolour painting to take my mind off things but I think it might just add to my stress. Maybe? I don’t know. Has anyone got any ideas that I can try to help me manage my anxiety and relax better? I am really trying to stay afloat here.

Kay-1471 Health anxiety
  • replies: 3

Hi every one I. Am new here and I suffer from health anxiety really bad it started years ago then it went away for awhile and has come this year really bad every time I hear someone has passed away the way my mum did it trigger the health anxiety I w... View more

Hi every one I. Am new here and I suffer from health anxiety really bad it started years ago then it went away for awhile and has come this year really bad every time I hear someone has passed away the way my mum did it trigger the health anxiety I was with phycologist they said I suffer from PTSD and anxiety and health anxiety among other mental health issues She said it all stems back to my childhood Not sure what to do

Pete2376 Health Anxiety
  • replies: 4

Any little physical thing that happens to me, I get a panic attack thinking it's the worst and then my heart races and get into a anxiety attack. Small things like a pimple will have me thinking it's leading to cancer etc. Why am I like this. Yes, I'... View more

Any little physical thing that happens to me, I get a panic attack thinking it's the worst and then my heart races and get into a anxiety attack. Small things like a pimple will have me thinking it's leading to cancer etc. Why am I like this. Yes, I've had incredibly heavy period and it did traumatise me but could it be the reason. Is there anything that I can take besides valium that is natural and works instantly to calm me? Please help, need some advice to make me stronger, I am so mentally weak.

Mudball98 Adult Seperation Anxiety
  • replies: 5

Hi, I feel a bit odd posting this but I’m kinda desperate for support. I left my family home earlier this year and moved a few hours away for my dream job. I love the job but I’m really struggling with being alone, I’m suffering with really bad anxie... View more

Hi, I feel a bit odd posting this but I’m kinda desperate for support. I left my family home earlier this year and moved a few hours away for my dream job. I love the job but I’m really struggling with being alone, I’m suffering with really bad anxiety and I struggle. I’m pushing through but I’ve had to go on anti-anxiety medication and I’m seriously wondering if this is all worth it. We had a bit of bad news this year with family health and I think some childhood trauma has also hit me too. Has anyone else struggled with the life adjustment of moving away? I live alone as well so when I’m having an anxiety attack at home it’s even worse.

Guest_11438242 Anxiety in workplace
  • replies: 2

Hey All, been having severe panic attacks whilst at work to the extent of needing additional medication to calm down and function on an auto pilot mode. my employers are aware of my condition and I am very upfront when panic attacks take place. the t... View more

Hey All, been having severe panic attacks whilst at work to the extent of needing additional medication to calm down and function on an auto pilot mode. my employers are aware of my condition and I am very upfront when panic attacks take place. the trigger to this happening occurs when I am made to feel my best is not enough, and my workload is publicly and often scrutinised by my manager. I have spoken several times about how this affects me to my manager as well as their manager. When this happens things settle for a week or so but then the negative culture and remarks start back up again. i just got back from a week of leave and lasted one day before a severe panic attack occurred due to my managers communication to me.I feel I am at the end of my rope, I’ve tried communicating how I’m going, “letting it go” and “just get on with it” and that the only viable option for my health and wellbeing now is to resign as I can’t cope with the workload and culture.aside from my manager, I love my job and working alongside my other colleagues but I’ve given just over a year to see adequate change within the management styles. has anyone been through something similar? What did you do?