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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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jonjr a short story "in the dark"
  • replies: 4

I would like to share some of my stories about my struggle. I wright them during real moments as a snap shot, I have to edit them into stories as often they can be just a jumble of words or nonsense sentences i scribble down at a point in a journey. ... View more

I would like to share some of my stories about my struggle. I wright them during real moments as a snap shot, I have to edit them into stories as often they can be just a jumble of words or nonsense sentences i scribble down at a point in a journey. i hope you like them In the dark Why do I write these short stories, these clips of my life. I guess its to show or even to snap shot the very real pain and struggle that I suffer. I write them in all of the zones of my journey in all of the moments from the fearful times to even the darkest lows. The fear is where I start , oh that familiar feeling , the grip it takes like a throttling motion like a hold on my every exhale that brings dread and fear along for the ride. Strap in I say to my self as the waves crash through me, be strong you can control this feeling it can not get you, yet it does, the grip gets tighter the feeling of fear takes hold it becomes all to real as real as the ground I stand on. The point of no return where the panic and the anxiety have made it to the very edge, the edge where every thing assembles ready to cascade down in a free-fall. The time of talking myself down has gone, the time to find a safe and familiar place is here. Curled up in a tight bundle and tensing my shoulders and body the drop happens. Dread and fear, empathy and love all come at once, theirs no rules to the game theirs no winners ceremony at the end. For me and for now this is life for how ever long it takes to hit the bottom . I don't want to move I don't want to make it worse but I know I need to get help, I know I have to make that call. The journey to hospital feels like it takes for ever then the questions that I can almost re-sight word for word as they are asked. A kind voice in the dark, reassuring me that i am safe, Unsure and terrified I lay down, In the dark all alone In a unwanted but familiar place I can feel the meds hold me as my thoughts turn to sleep.

Rac_ Anxiety so much a part of my life everyday.
  • replies: 2

Hi all I have had generalised anxiety disorder since I was 17; in the last 4 months after some tough life stressors of losing family members, moving house and quitting my job- I was diagnosed with depression. I am 31, with a wonderful fiancé who has ... View more

Hi all I have had generalised anxiety disorder since I was 17; in the last 4 months after some tough life stressors of losing family members, moving house and quitting my job- I was diagnosed with depression. I am 31, with a wonderful fiancé who has been in my life for well over 7 years; we have great friends and family and so many positive things in the coming future to look forward to. However, I seem to be only fixated on negativity and hating myself, regardless of anything anyone says. I can’t seem to think rationally and thoughts I have are so intrusive and overwhelming day to day. I have counselling every week, am on medication and had my first psychology appointment this week; I can have moments where I feel balanced/ but I can’t sustain these for long periods of time, then the negative self talk and misery comes back again. (Please no judgement- I’m aware how daft this sounds) but even though I’m engaged, due to be married, building a house and trying for pregnancy- in my head, my brain ruminates that my partner was happier before me and I torture myself with ‘mental movies’ of him enjoying happy times with them, being intimate, etc etc. i guess this seems to have become a vicious obsessive struggle, my partner has been so supportive and reassuring but I can never believe what he says. Can anyone relate? I miss the feelings of self worth and confidence that I used to have, though they have never been super strong in my life. have a wonderful day

julzey help wanted
  • replies: 3

I am an anxious parenting wanting to know/find out what support is out there for my primary school aged daughter who is suffering from trichotillomania (hair pulling disorder) any help will be much appreciated

I am an anxious parenting wanting to know/find out what support is out there for my primary school aged daughter who is suffering from trichotillomania (hair pulling disorder) any help will be much appreciated

Detective_S Why is it I don't see a future for myself at the moment?
  • replies: 10

Hi there, I don't know if this is the correct forum to place this under but it seemed the most relevant to my current thought process. I don't know when this thought initially hit me, perhaps it was when my relationship with one of my parents started... View more

Hi there, I don't know if this is the correct forum to place this under but it seemed the most relevant to my current thought process. I don't know when this thought initially hit me, perhaps it was when my relationship with one of my parents started to become rocky or maybe its burn out (?) I'm not sure, but lately I have been struggling to see a future for myself. Now in no way do I want to die, nor am I in anyway giving up, I just don't see myself living a long life for whatever reason. I can't see myself reaching the end of my current uni degree let alone reaching full-time employment at the end, additionally, I feel like I'm living life on auto-pilot trying to get through everything. The last week has hit me hard, I've recently decided to finally stand up to one of my parents (my parents are divorced) who has been quite manipulative lately, and my Pop has just been sent to hospital for heart failure. It is just upsetting because I am nearly 20 years old but don't feel any drive to be part of a relationship or set myself up for the future and it is starting to cause me significant anxiety as I start to face this unknown, confusing time. Was just hoping for any sort of advice on how I may be able to move away from this mindset and to a more positive and productive one. Kind regards, Detective S.

Narnie Anxiety About Public Settings and Social Interactions
  • replies: 4

I’ve been really struggling with my social anxiety. I believe I used to be a very confident person but since moving cities and having very limited social interactions, I am no longer that person. Doing simple tasks such as grocery shopping has been e... View more

I’ve been really struggling with my social anxiety. I believe I used to be a very confident person but since moving cities and having very limited social interactions, I am no longer that person. Doing simple tasks such as grocery shopping has been extremely emotionally draining and exhausting - so much so that I’ve completely refrained from it and order everything online. I am still able to attend work because I’m already familiar with those surroundings and people. I’m just struggling to leave my house because of the anxiety that I feel about interacting with people and not being able to anticipate what might happen when I’m in public situations. I just want to know that I’m not alone in these feelings of anxiety and if anyone has any solutions or support to help me overcome them.

EmeraldALT114 [HELP] just got kicked out, i have one week until I have to leave, what now?
  • replies: 5

Just got into a huge argument with my mum and she now wants me out of the house, if she really does mean it, I have been offered to stay at my cousins place for a while which is good until I find out what I'm doing. I'm only 18 years old so what do I... View more

Just got into a huge argument with my mum and she now wants me out of the house, if she really does mean it, I have been offered to stay at my cousins place for a while which is good until I find out what I'm doing. I'm only 18 years old so what do I do? I don't want to live life struggling, I want to make something of myself but also enjoy my years ahead of me, not struggling and being scared of where to go. I live in australia, victoria. Welcome to ask any questions, would really love some advice or tips xx.

Doberman38 Taiwan
  • replies: 4

While I have managed to reduce my anxiety concerning the whole Ukraine conflict, there is another brewing conflict which is starting to worry me even more: the China-Taiwan situation. A lot of analysts seem to think that China is going to try and inv... View more

While I have managed to reduce my anxiety concerning the whole Ukraine conflict, there is another brewing conflict which is starting to worry me even more: the China-Taiwan situation. A lot of analysts seem to think that China is going to try and invade Taiwan at some point, and while that in itself would be a terrible tragedy there are three main reasons which are particularly fuelling my anxiety: the prospect of Australia being attacked or invaded, the consequences of American intervention on America, and the possibility of a nuclear crisis. The current Australian government has been very tough, at least in words, when it comes to China, sometimes very legitimately and sometimes very recklessly. I'm terrified that if Australia directly intervened we'd get hit with air raids, ballistic missiles or even invaded. As for American intervention, it looks increasingly likely to me, and I'm really worried (since I have a lot of online friends over there) that if it resulted in American territory getting directly attacked or an economic collapse it would result in a civil war and/or some sort of military or Neo-Nazi dictatorship. My third great fear is that if America intervened it could trigger a nuclear exchange, since both countries have them. I really hope the people who matter are sensible enough not to let it happen, but the possibility is enough to terrify me. These fears have been plaguing my mind, on and of, for half a year and when they come to the surface they really sap my enjoyment and optimism for the future.

Anicca Anxiety over West Gate Bridge
  • replies: 6

I have had debilitating anxiety about travellling over the West Gate Bridge for many years now. I used to be ok but then I began getting anxious if it was windy and thinks spiralled from there. I just googled this and found there are some old posts o... View more

I have had debilitating anxiety about travellling over the West Gate Bridge for many years now. I used to be ok but then I began getting anxious if it was windy and thinks spiralled from there. I just googled this and found there are some old posts on BB. I am so glad I am not alone. I recently read that Anthony Field, the Blue Wiggle, had a panic attack and stopped his car on the bridge. I was so close to this the last time I drove across it!! For some reason I thought it was just me and felt foolish that I haven’t been able to overcome it. I am going on a trip where I could use the bridge but I use another route that takes the same amount of time. I have GAD and have been able to overcome other fears but I don’t want to put myself through that anxiety again. I was ok with someone else driving but I won’t even do that now. It is such a relief to hear that other people do have the same fear that I do. Today I was able to tell someone that I am not the only one!! It legitimises it somehow. I just hope this post helps another person. Best wishes, Anicca

Missy1807 My brain makes up worst case senarios
  • replies: 17

Hello I'm very new to this page but it's getting to a point where it's getting to much. I suffer from quite bad anxiety and ocd most of the time I can keep it at bay and use the tools my psychologist gave me but some time I can't control it. My thoug... View more

Hello I'm very new to this page but it's getting to a point where it's getting to much. I suffer from quite bad anxiety and ocd most of the time I can keep it at bay and use the tools my psychologist gave me but some time I can't control it. My thoughts get so real and worst case senarios I can't stop over thinking. For eg I got into a verbal altercation over the weekend with someone and now my thoughts are I am going to be arrested for assult. Now I know it never happened but tue thoughts don't stop and I get so anxious and nervous and over think everything. These episodes usually only happen once a month but recently it has been weekly. Really stupid things cause it and I can't shake it untill the stressor goes away which could be days. Does anyone else have this type of thing or any ideas when it's at it's peak to make it stop? I'm exhausted

CourtneyJ Travel anxiety
  • replies: 6

GAD sufferer here. I'm going on vacation for a week tomorrow. It's a 2hr drive from my house in a nice hotel I've been to before. I've been looking forward to this break. Last year I tried to go on holiday to the same place. On the drive there I had ... View more

GAD sufferer here. I'm going on vacation for a week tomorrow. It's a 2hr drive from my house in a nice hotel I've been to before. I've been looking forward to this break. Last year I tried to go on holiday to the same place. On the drive there I had a panic attack and had to pull over. In the end I had my parents pick me up and drive me home. I didn't end up going on holiday. It's the night before and the anxiety is starting to kick into overdrive. I know my first night anywhere is new is terrifying. I'm going to be honest I usually have to self medicate with alcohol to get through it. Then after that it's usually fine. Here's just some of the things I'm worrying about: - a storm hitting my house causing damage - an electrical outlet sparking a fire in my house - forgetting to turn something off which will cause a fire - having another panic attack on the highway and trying to find somewhere to pull over safely - something falling off my car while driving at high speed (it's happened before) - getting to the hotel at all. Chickening out halfway there and turning back like an idiot - getting to the hotel and spending the first night along in deathly silence Also I don't have the option of having someone come with me. But I am having coffee with a friend before I leave so I'm hoping that that'll create some positive feelings. I also have my best friend on standby to call or text me if I need someone to talk to. I know most (if not all) of these are irrational fears that I can physically mitigate. I also know that confronting fear head on is the only way to conquer it. I don't know what I'm asking here. I guess I hope that writing it down will take some of the power away from my anxiety?? I don't know.