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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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PeachPenguin Feeling overwhelmed
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone Feeling very overwhelmed at the moment. My father has suddenly become ill (I’m an only child and my mother passed some years ago, therefore I’m his only immediate family), a couple of weeks ago my partner was hospitalised, he is fully rec... View more

Hi everyone Feeling very overwhelmed at the moment. My father has suddenly become ill (I’m an only child and my mother passed some years ago, therefore I’m his only immediate family), a couple of weeks ago my partner was hospitalised, he is fully recovered now. My job is also quite high pressure and although my manager is really supportive it causes me a significant amount of stress. I just feel like I can’t catch a break at the moment! I’ve reached out to my EAP service through work which has been somewhat helpful however I just feel my general resilience is decreasing. Would love to hear about any helpful coping strategies, advice or anything to get me out of this slump.

Steveo22 Anxiety at upcoming treatments
  • replies: 3

Hello This is my first post here. I have a major current health issue that I have to be treated for and am having major anxiety about facing and completing this treatment. I have long term PTSD and anxiety that I have had for most of my adult life. I... View more

Hello This is my first post here. I have a major current health issue that I have to be treated for and am having major anxiety about facing and completing this treatment. I have long term PTSD and anxiety that I have had for most of my adult life. I have at times sought help but never stuck with it. The way I feel at the moment is I have enough mental power to deal with life generally but in the face of this current situation im really having trouble coping and remaining positive. I feel some of these old long term anxiety issues starting to take control. I had a major anxiety attack while testing and fitment of a mask used in treatment. It was humiliating and distressing and has rattled me going forward as I will have to use this mask daily for 7 weeks.

jacq Unemployed, unburdened by responsibilities, and inert anyway. I don't respect myself.
  • replies: 8

I don't know how to cope with all the responsibilities of genuinely going into therapy, and doing 'the work'. It has made me realise, that I had become that person who asks therapy of every conversation, without meaning to, but because my mind was al... View more

I don't know how to cope with all the responsibilities of genuinely going into therapy, and doing 'the work'. It has made me realise, that I had become that person who asks therapy of every conversation, without meaning to, but because my mind was already filled with the self obsession that arises during problem overload, when there is a million things that need to be fixed. I've become someone who I find difficult to like, and so do others. I have lost most of my friends, and the ones I have retained have had to make their boundaries very known to me. I have been in hospital three times for breaking into psychotic episodes. All of them were mortifying, more than I can express, and I hurt people close to me by morphing into the jagged, cruel, judgmental, misanthropic voice that has been a demon in my thoughts, growing with every humiliation for years. I don't want this part of me to be what I hear anymore. I do as much as I can journaling it out and monitoring, but I still seem to keep acting the wrong way, hurting people and getting hurt. I am ashamed of so much. I grew up in a rich area and have had great privelege (even though my family of 5 were living off one school teacher's wages and we didn't qualify as rich, actually I was quite left out as a child because my reality was so different to lots of my peers), my parents are still together, I have had financial support from them and the government when I've been poor, and this has been my only independant experience of money. I have lived soulfully enough, and thought that I loved, but lately I've been wondering if I only experience love as the desperate do. I used to think I was someone worthy of being loved, but I actually don't have any reason why. I used to think I loved, but I can't quantify this without many possible abstractions too. I am afraid of my mind, because I have lost it, and my memories have suffered. I am not suicidal but I am desperate and feel like the mind of a priest sharing the mind and body of a criminal. Is there any exercises I can do that can ease this ultimate shame feeling? I can't even volunteer right now during lockdown, I can't find a job, there's no redemption acts I can take except somehow change myself into a better person.

Damien2812 GAD Questions..
  • replies: 6

Hi all Just wondering if anyone with GAD has had any problems with GAD affecting them in everything they do in daily life such as in relationships, work or doubting if you can learn or do something etc.. How have you gone by managing this in your lif... View more

Hi all Just wondering if anyone with GAD has had any problems with GAD affecting them in everything they do in daily life such as in relationships, work or doubting if you can learn or do something etc.. How have you gone by managing this in your life so far?

_allovertheplace Bad anxiety day
  • replies: 3

Hi all, I haven’t posted here for a number of years but here I am today. I don’t want to burden those around me so I thought I would put my feelings here almost like a journal. I’m 31, diagnosed depression and generalised anxiety, medicated and previ... View more

Hi all, I haven’t posted here for a number of years but here I am today. I don’t want to burden those around me so I thought I would put my feelings here almost like a journal. I’m 31, diagnosed depression and generalised anxiety, medicated and previously seen psychs etc. I also have a psych degree so I know all about CBT and other therapies and use them for myself very often. My mental health is an everyday battle and for whatever reason, today I am feeling all sorts of dread. Super irritable and annoyed with everyone, generally anxious and low. I have my first covid vax dose in 2 days time and I’m one of the last people I know being vaxxed. Not from a lack of trying, as I wanted desperately to go somewhere local and was just impossible for the longest time. So I think I have a fear of being left out of socialising with my loved ones until I have the second dose and I’m worried about what it’ll do to my mental state. I realise I’m a bit all over the place with this post and I don’t know what I expect people to say. I just needed to get it out

Rubygirlx 25 and don't have 1 close friend - social anxiety
  • replies: 2

Is it normal to be 25 and not have any close friends? I have always been an outsider ever since high school and the older I get the worse it has become. It's so hard for me to talk to people and connect with them. I automatically feel that whatever I... View more

Is it normal to be 25 and not have any close friends? I have always been an outsider ever since high school and the older I get the worse it has become. It's so hard for me to talk to people and connect with them. I automatically feel that whatever I am saying is just stupid and then I just end up tripping on my words, it's so embarrassing. I find it so hard to fit in with a new group and just find myself staying quiet. I have an extroverted boyfriend and he is great but sometimes it just makes me sad when I see him and all his groups of friends. I get sad because I think I never have felt that loved and support by a group of people. any tips or ideas on how to overcome this?

Maxy333 Hating self
  • replies: 21

I'm suffering from terrable guilt and shame that makes me self loathing , my hatered for myself is depressing me. I'm not to sure how to turn this around.

I'm suffering from terrable guilt and shame that makes me self loathing , my hatered for myself is depressing me. I'm not to sure how to turn this around.

Tugboat Health Anxiety again!
  • replies: 10

Hi it’s me again! I have been suffering health anxiety on and off for over 30 years. Currently going through a rough patch again and waiting to have an ultrasound. My anxiety is very high at the moment and my mind will not slow down thinking all nega... View more

Hi it’s me again! I have been suffering health anxiety on and off for over 30 years. Currently going through a rough patch again and waiting to have an ultrasound. My anxiety is very high at the moment and my mind will not slow down thinking all negative thoughts. My mornings are the worst time and as the day goes on it eases only a little. I am extremely teary and cannot eat as I feel sick. I am struggling going to work and just doing normal every day things.

Geralt_of_Rivia Constant health Anxiety tips/videos/advice
  • replies: 3

Hey guys, I’ve battled anxiety and health anxiety for a long time. I felt like a couple of years ago I regained control and now it’s back worse than ever. It’s fatigued me to the point where I just want to stay in bed, I’m exhausted by 3/4pm. My eyes... View more

Hey guys, I’ve battled anxiety and health anxiety for a long time. I felt like a couple of years ago I regained control and now it’s back worse than ever. It’s fatigued me to the point where I just want to stay in bed, I’m exhausted by 3/4pm. My eyes are bloodshot and sore when I wake up, does this happen to anyone else? And constant headaches and fatigue? Also I rarely actually have an increase in heart rate, does this mean it could be other factors than anxiety? Or does this happen to others also? I guess I’m just looking to hear some advice, maybe even writing this out has some therapeutic benefits. I’m just exhausted and can’t seem to lift my mood and it’s been this way for a while now. Lockdown doesn’t help either. Any calming videos or reassuring talks to watch on YouTube would be amazing if anyone had recommendations also. Appreciate any help so much Thanks

SpookyScooter Debilitating Health Anxiety
  • replies: 12

Hi, I’ve been a long time reader of the forums - it helps me to feel like I’m not alone ☺️ Background My dad died in hospital in 2017. We were on our way to see him, as we got the call that he was declining. I was the first one to enter his room and ... View more

Hi, I’ve been a long time reader of the forums - it helps me to feel like I’m not alone ☺️ Background My dad died in hospital in 2017. We were on our way to see him, as we got the call that he was declining. I was the first one to enter his room and found him deceased. The doctors and nurses hadn’t realized he had passed, so I wasn’t warned when I walked into his room. The following night, after getting home, I went into shock from seeing him deceased the day before. I had my first violent intrusive thought and it terrified me. At 2am, I bundled my child into the car and drove myself to emergency, because I thought I was going to lose my mind. They gave me Valium and sent me home. Luckily I had a wonderful therapist and over the next 2yrs I worked with her on my anxiety and intrusive thoughts. I was on medication for about a year, but weaned off and used the tools my therapist gave me to manage the anxiety and panic attacks. Current issue I am now suffering from health anxiety. Tonight, the sensations are overwhelming. I have a fear of suffocating and not being able to breathe. My throat feels tight and my nose feels blocked. These sensations have been building over several weeks and present themselves as my ultimate fear - suffocating. I am beside myself tonight. I’m on the verge of calling an ambulance, fearing I’m having an allergic reaction (I don’t have any allergies). Logically, I know it’s my anxiety that’s giving me these sensations. Im just so exhausted from constantly checking my symptoms and reassuring myself. Im emotionally wrecked I don’t want to go back on medication. I have a medication that I can take occasionally to ease my anxiety symptoms, but alas, my health anxiety is scared of taking any type of meds, even though I’ve used them before. I feel like I am running a constant marathon, I’m so tired of this fear of something happening to me 🥺