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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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Abelia Abelia
  • replies: 4

I have suffered from social anxiety from a very young age. I understand and except my condition and symptoms much better these days. Having said that I can still get really anxious in group situations. For me my body and mind seems to stop functionin... View more

I have suffered from social anxiety from a very young age. I understand and except my condition and symptoms much better these days. Having said that I can still get really anxious in group situations. For me my body and mind seems to stop functioning effectively. Sometimes in these situations I feel like the whole world is waiting for me to make a mistake. I understand this is completely irrational on my part. But my mind and body indicates something else. I’ve been involved in other group works over the years which has helped me over come my fears and help me understand my condition. The group work was extremely important as I meet other people from all walks of life that had similar symptoms as I had. I wasn’t alone anymore!

PsychedelicFur I Don’t Like My Face
  • replies: 7

Hello, I don’t like my face. And I keep wearing my mask in public because I don’t like my face. I’m scared that I have a double chin, wide nose, uneven-messy eyebrows, dark circles under my eyes and puppet mouth wrinkles. people ask me ALL of the tim... View more

Hello, I don’t like my face. And I keep wearing my mask in public because I don’t like my face. I’m scared that I have a double chin, wide nose, uneven-messy eyebrows, dark circles under my eyes and puppet mouth wrinkles. people ask me ALL of the time to stop wearing my face mask. However, it has been my only comfort thing for SO LONG now. I feel lost without it and I strongly believe people treat me badly because my looks are not deemed ‘desirable’ How can I become more confident? PF

Jae85 Severe Health Anxiety
  • replies: 9

Hi, I’m 35 and last week, woke up with a sudden onset of floaters and over the next couple of days I had blurry vision. I then had a numb(ish) right leg. I went to the optometrist who said I had great eye health, astigmatism and gave me anti blue lig... View more

Hi, I’m 35 and last week, woke up with a sudden onset of floaters and over the next couple of days I had blurry vision. I then had a numb(ish) right leg. I went to the optometrist who said I had great eye health, astigmatism and gave me anti blue light glasses with a slight magnifying lens. I then had prickly kind of sensations and freaked out and went to the hospital. Over the course of a night, I had a CT scan (with dye), all my bloods done and a brain MRI.. everything came back ok and they found nothing abnormal on my MRI to suggest MS, but I’m still freaking out. I feel like my legs twitch etc and it sends me into a panic!!! I’m so severely anxious and stressed. I have been given a referral to see a neurologist and it can’t come soon enough, as I’m obsessing over looking up symptoms on-line and I truly feel as though I have it.. can anyone put my mind at ease? I know anxiety can do awful things to your body... can I really just go off a brain MRI? thanks x

thisisalongshot Pregnancy triggering ED
  • replies: 1

Hi all, I had quite severe anorexia as a young adult. It coincided with a lot of other issues including complex PTSD and culminated in psychosis, the medication for which caused rapid weight gain and as a result my ED was never directly treated. I am... View more

Hi all, I had quite severe anorexia as a young adult. It coincided with a lot of other issues including complex PTSD and culminated in psychosis, the medication for which caused rapid weight gain and as a result my ED was never directly treated. I am currently in my second trimester of pregnancy. At the start of my pregnancy my BMI had reached 30 (obese) due to stress eating from fertility treatment, my psych meds and PCOS. My husband is extremely controlling and obviously with pregnancy I am gaining weight rapidly, both issues being huge triggers for my anorexia. I am trying my best to eat ‘enough’ for the baby and physically my health is fine due to a high starting weight, but mentally I feel like I am falling apart. The only thing I have that I feel would help me cope right now, restricted eating, is not an option. I have had a long MH history and frankly I’m sick of doctors, although I have tried seeking help I’ve mostly been brushed off on this issue. Granted I haven’t been very persistent. I don’t really know what I came here to ask but after being told today that I need to wait at least a month to see someone, who will probably brush me off again, I just wanted to get it off my chest in a (hopefully) judgment free zone. Just looking for some comfort or alternative coping strategies, tips for getting the docs to take this seriously etc. thanks guys

CatMummy1 Anxious and feeling helpless
  • replies: 3

I'm reaching out because I'm feeling totally lost. I moved to Australia from overseas to be with my partner. There are cultural differences between our families and his family are devout Christian. We wanted to start a family and were worried that wi... View more

I'm reaching out because I'm feeling totally lost. I moved to Australia from overseas to be with my partner. There are cultural differences between our families and his family are devout Christian. We wanted to start a family and were worried that without being married it would cause upset. With Covid meaning travel is a little uncertain We decided to elope with a few friends. We figured that would be the fairest way . Fast forward a month later my in laws still haven't forgiven us as they feel they should have been invited even if my family couldn't be there. The whole situation has sent me into a deep depression and state of anxiety. I haven't seen my family in 3 years, I'm an only child and I moved here to be with my now husband. It feels as though to my in laws my family don't matter. I honestly don't know what to do or think anymore I have gradually gotten worse over the last few weeks and I struggle to eat and sleep let alone concentrate. Im worried it will drive a wedge between my husband and I. My husband now feels it was a mistake to get married. I've tried to talk to him and figure out how to fix things with family but he shuts down at conflict and also doesn't really understand my level of anxiety. i honestly don't know what to do.

RosalieZ Breakup and Anxiety
  • replies: 1

Hi, all my life i have wanted to be in a long term relationship and I have never been that 'casual' person. I was with my boyfriend for a year and a half (im 28 and hes 34.) I have GAD which I can control, I take medication daily. But out of what see... View more

Hi, all my life i have wanted to be in a long term relationship and I have never been that 'casual' person. I was with my boyfriend for a year and a half (im 28 and hes 34.) I have GAD which I can control, I take medication daily. But out of what seemed for me, nowhere, he started getting distant with me and we ended up breaking up due to him not being 'ready to commit'. This obviously was hard as I thought we would be together forever. And I kept thinking how dare he not want to be with me im great! I just couldn't wrap my head around it. I've been seeing people from dating apps etc but no one seems ready to commit?? I'm just so frustrated and it gives me serious anxiety. Why does no one want to commit? Im talking people in their mid 30's who specify that they want a relationship. Any tips on how to feel better about this would be helpful. Thanks R

greendino when did you first become aware of your anxiety?
  • replies: 3

hi all, i recently started a new job after a horrible experience at a previous workplace. im 15, nearly 16, and was so excited to finally make some money after a few months off due to COVID-19. the people there are so lovely and all very chill, but i... View more

hi all, i recently started a new job after a horrible experience at a previous workplace. im 15, nearly 16, and was so excited to finally make some money after a few months off due to COVID-19. the people there are so lovely and all very chill, but i noticed that after my first shift i was getting extreme stomach aches days before my next shift. at the time i didn’t know why, but all i knew is that it was followed by shakiness and feeling light headed. i am usually known for having a bright bubbly personality, always seeing things on the bright side, but since i had started the job i felt a lot less bright and was really struggling to gain any motivation and would instead dwell on these stomach aches, until i finally told my mum. for a bit of backstory, my family has a history of depression and anxiety so my parents are very proactive when it comes to their kids mental health and well-being. my stomach aches, shakiness and light headedness quickly turned into panics before work which would leave me in tears. i dreaded going into work even though it was twice a week for 8 hours all up. i tried to push through and make it through shifts and build up confidence to go into work, but it ended up being way to panic inducing, so i ultimately came to the conclusion that i should resign until i have my panic attacks and anxiety surrounding working under control. the anxiety started off being based on how poorly i was treated at my pervious job, but over a few weeks i started feeling more and more anxious about more and more things. this was when my parents really started to notice my change in personality, how i stopped doing simple tasks like cleaning my room. i am consistently tired and have a feeling of dullness all the time. i haven’t sincerely felt happy in 2 months. i feel as though there is nothing ahead of me, just the same numbness forever until i die, which makes me feel very content with death, not bothered at all if i do die. i am booked for a psych appointment in feb, but time feels like it’s dragging slowly and i haven’t had a decent sleep in weeks. asleep by 3 am, awake by 7, drowsy until 12, calm/dull until night. it’s an endless cycle that i can’t seem to kick. i never knew this would be so hard to cope with, is this what’s to be expected or am i just sensitive? geez posting this lifts a whole weight off my shoulders, even if no one sees it.

Austin22 Terrified of return to school for my kids
  • replies: 6

I hope I'm not alone... I am getting panic attacks just thinking about the return to school, specifically my son catching covid and getting really sick. Just the thought of it makes me almost vomit and I get that fight/flight rush. If I hear him coug... View more

I hope I'm not alone... I am getting panic attacks just thinking about the return to school, specifically my son catching covid and getting really sick. Just the thought of it makes me almost vomit and I get that fight/flight rush. If I hear him cough (he's not sick at all) straight away my gut clenches and I start freaking out. I have suffered with anxiety all my life but covid has made it much harder, especially thinking about mixing with other people again. Please tell me I'm not the only one.

greendino can stuffed animals help with anxiety?
  • replies: 5

i have recently been realy struggling with my anxiety and don’t know how to calm myself down. i like to keep myself warm and watered tightly, either with a blanket, curling up in a tight ball or both at once. i was thinking that if i purchased a stuf... View more

i have recently been realy struggling with my anxiety and don’t know how to calm myself down. i like to keep myself warm and watered tightly, either with a blanket, curling up in a tight ball or both at once. i was thinking that if i purchased a stuffed animal or squishmallow i could hug that to give me a sense of calm and warmth. I was looking for anyone who might know if it helps for them before i buy one? thank you so much

jemma09 Does anyone get vision changes with anxiety?
  • replies: 9

Hi all Hope you are doing okay! i just wondered if anyone has experienced vision changes with their anxiety. Things like seeing stars, bright flashes, blurred vision, spots in vision that are unfocused etc? I was unwell recently with a combination of... View more

Hi all Hope you are doing okay! i just wondered if anyone has experienced vision changes with their anxiety. Things like seeing stars, bright flashes, blurred vision, spots in vision that are unfocused etc? I was unwell recently with a combination of symptoms which I am sure wasn’t anxiety as it was different to anything I had ever experienced before. My vision completely changed starry and couldn’t see. I had pins and needles and numbness through my whole body, really dizzy and nauseous like a fainting feeling. Along with my hearing sounding far away and ringing. I wasn’t feeling anxious at the time or beforehand, I felt not right so I went to get check out and all my tests were normal. My iron was starting to be a bit low so I’m on supplements which hopefully helps. But my doctor said we’ll probably never know why I felt unwell, it sometimes just happens. I’ve also had my eyes tested and they are normal. but today I got a weird starry part of vision in one eye, it’s starting to ease now after about 20 minutes with no other symptoms at the time. I have a slight headache now. However, I have been feeling very anxious the last 5 days and nearly went into panic attack yesterday. but I just wonder if me being really anxious has pushed this recent vision change and if anyone else has experienced this? thank you so much and take care!!