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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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Bibbetyboo Feeling trapped
  • replies: 3

My son is 12 months. He was walking fully at 8 months, feeding himself and already almost talking. He’s funny, charismatic smart determined but wasn’t “expected” to be because hospital staff and maternal health had been incorrectly tracking my matern... View more

My son is 12 months. He was walking fully at 8 months, feeding himself and already almost talking. He’s funny, charismatic smart determined but wasn’t “expected” to be because hospital staff and maternal health had been incorrectly tracking my maternal progress for months as well as my sons growth progress and blaming the (false) setbacks (weight) on me. I called maternal health as my son had started exhibiting clingy behaviours this week. I wasnt distressed or worried. Mums forums online are chocked full of people expressing their stories on this clingy 12 month stage as being pretty typical. The help said she’s never heard of 12 month clingy ness and started screening me for abuse and told me 1 hour daily outdoors for 12MO isn’t enough even in the rain? She kept me on the phone an hour trying to book me more maternal health appointments, last was 2 weeks ago. She started digging into my mental health and suggesting a counsellor for no reason. I really felt this woman said as much as she could to make me feel like i was a problem. She asserts that I should be taking my son to a G.P fortnightly and demanded that I see maternal health more. We are in lockdown right now otherwise we have playgroup 5 times a fortnight which is facilitated by maternal health? We really dont need to! I felt like i was being interrogated. She was talking over me and not really even listening I had to keep correcting her and repeating myself. Its not the first time i have spoke to this lady on the maternal health line either, and i have hung up on her before for the same reason. She told me my son wasn’t cows protein intolerant and that was too rare (she’s nor a Dr by the way) it turned out he was CPI and was getting sick. I had to put him on script formula. The MHN on the phone demanded to know “WHO TOLD ME” to give my own son a toddler bottle? I explained the weening process to her confused that she didn’t seem to know what it was! Am I his mother or are maternal health? Stressing mothers about breast feeding to the point of breakdown, trying to push post-natal depression rather thn recognising colic or potential lactose problems? They’ve given me conflicting and confusing information that i think at times has been personally bias against me and when they sit in our conversations at playgroup, they wont let the mothers give each other advice because we are not maternal health - not joking! Thinking of complaining. Anyone else had a hard time with maternal health?

Claire_W Adjustment disorder & anxiety.
  • replies: 14

Hi, it's Claire, I'm new here! Slowly working my way through this with a lovely psychologist may Be for a year now. Struggling with one of my triggers being the only friend that I opened up to. This is so hard, confusing. Just would dearly love to ch... View more

Hi, it's Claire, I'm new here! Slowly working my way through this with a lovely psychologist may Be for a year now. Struggling with one of my triggers being the only friend that I opened up to. This is so hard, confusing. Just would dearly love to chat with others going through similar ongoing experience. C

The_Bro INTERESTING HINTS TO HELP WITH ANXIETY, USED BY CHAMPIONS
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone A while ago on another thread we were discussing how a daily schedule or routine can help stop your mind wandering, lower anxiety levels and increase focus when it is needed.... I recently came across some rather interesting methods that ... View more

Hi everyone A while ago on another thread we were discussing how a daily schedule or routine can help stop your mind wandering, lower anxiety levels and increase focus when it is needed.... I recently came across some rather interesting methods that high achieving Olympic athletes use. A sports psychologist had this to say - 'Find something that clears the mind and allows you to focus on the right thing at the right time'. These champions got to where they are by being in control of what they can control - what do they do? Nicola McDermott - Silver medallist high jumper - doodles in her notepad between jumps. Harry Garside - Silver medallist boxer - takes extra care to prepare a neat and tidy room before each fight. Tom Daley - Bronze medallist diver - knits busily between every dive! As unexpected as these methods are, they all reflect the same thing and are about rhythms or routines that can be controlled. This got me thinking about if I do anything like this and sure enough, I have a fixed habit or routine before any major activity. For example before a longer bike ride I have an orange juice, half a banana, check my tyres, check my lights, go over my list eg shoes, helmet, gloves etc, and make sure I am dressed for the weather forecast. It I am disturbed in this routine I have to think where I am at and almost start again! Just wondering if anyone else has a routine or rhythm that they find useful to calm anxiety and help focus? Regards, The Bro

mulberries Struggle living in a shared house anxious about noise and cleanliness
  • replies: 4

Hi everyone, I'm glad to find this forum. This is my very first post. I'm facing struggles living in a shared house with two others. I became to realize that I am extra sensitive to noise (I become anxious with the noise of doors, clicking noise of l... View more

Hi everyone, I'm glad to find this forum. This is my very first post. I'm facing struggles living in a shared house with two others. I became to realize that I am extra sensitive to noise (I become anxious with the noise of doors, clicking noise of lighter, footsteps, flicking of light switches etc). I value the cleanliness and tidiness of the space, but it seems like my standard of cleanliness is much higher than others. I have been doing the cleaning of the house most of the time, and I am always the one who takes the bins out and brings them back in. I made a cleaning roster and had a house meeting to discuss it more than once, but hasn't been working. The sound of closing a door can sound like an uncomfortable slamming noise to me and make my heart beat faster and I would feel a contraction in my chest. I've been trying to bring whatever bothers me up to discuss but I was told that I am complaining too much and that I am confrontational. Now I am anxious thinking that I am too much, that I am a control/cleaning freak, that I am too particular... Now I am almost constantly anxious worrying that something that bothers me would happen anytime. I have lived in multiple different shared houses, and it was fine at many places, but I had similar issues at some places. Ideally, I should be living in my own studio, but I can't afford at the moment, and I know with the right people, it should still work. I'm overwhelmed with the level of anxiety I've been experiencing and it's been affecting my sleep... I really appreciate any comments or thoughts. Thank you for reading to the end.

Hayls1207 So confused
  • replies: 4

Hi everyone I am so new to anxiety and depression to the point I don't even know what's wrong with me. But when one negative this happens to me I make scenarios up in my head and fight with myself that the worst is going to happen. From my partner wh... View more

Hi everyone I am so new to anxiety and depression to the point I don't even know what's wrong with me. But when one negative this happens to me I make scenarios up in my head and fight with myself that the worst is going to happen. From my partner who is stuck on the other side of the country, is going out with guys and girls from his work. I would think he is going fall in love and leave me. To I ask my family to watch my son and they can't due to work and legitimate reasons. And my head starts thinking they don't love him, you do everything for them and they can't help you. I need a break being home 24/7 alone with my 20 month old son. But then my head fights itself saying you don't need a break you need to love him some more. And even when I get 5 mins to myself I feel guilty. I head fight myself to the point I cant breathe I cry uncontrollably for hours. I have no energy do to anything part from lay on the lounge. And I feel ashamed I have these thoughts and I feel like a horrible mother because I fight myself. does this make sense to anyone. Because to me it's so confusing I never let anything get to me and then bam it has hit me like a bus.

Daniel_83 Struggling with turning 40 soon - life feels like an endless struggle at times
  • replies: 3

Hi all, I'm not sure if this should be posted under anxiety or depression, but i've decided anxiety probably better characterises what I'm feeling everyday because depression is too strong a word. It's not my first time in these forums. 2-3 years ago... View more

Hi all, I'm not sure if this should be posted under anxiety or depression, but i've decided anxiety probably better characterises what I'm feeling everyday because depression is too strong a word. It's not my first time in these forums. 2-3 years ago I was struggling with an immature spouse, career change, migration stress, job burnout and financial worries. I'm happy to report that I'm way past most of these issues. I've transitioned to a much better job, fully settled in here and reaching the peak of my career under a very appreciative boss. I no longer worry that much about money (i lead a very thrifty lifestyle) and I'm nearly past the trauma of the past 3-4 jobs that had me completely burned out and mired in depression. My spouse is no longer the wilful and immature person she once was and she is sharing more of the responsibilities of running the household now. But WOW! blink of an eye and I've almost blazed past my thirties and heading into my 40s very soon. It seems like the last 9 years I have just been moving from one crisis to another, and even though we are now well settled in, I feel like a big part of my life has been spent managing crises (or character moulding if I want to be optimistic). I am moving into probably what is the peak of my career, but each day my thoughts are all about retiring early and doing something I actually like doing. I'm not sure if that is the depression speaking or is it just middle age talking, but i no longer have that fire in the belly, and climbing the corporate ladder is really all about just making more money so I could retire earlier. I am very scared to think about my forties, and then fifties! It seems just yesterday I was still a young and immature twenty-something. I shudder to think about raising kids, but I'm VERY NEAR the age where I either have to make that decision or forever hold my peace. I know many of us probably felt the same about moving into the forties. How do you guys deal with it?

Ash111 Imposter syndrome
  • replies: 9

Hi BB forum, I'm currently working on a big project at work which is much more technical than anything I've ever done. I'm feeling so inadequate. The thought of going to work tomorrow makes me feel sick. I'm so scared of failing or having conversatio... View more

Hi BB forum, I'm currently working on a big project at work which is much more technical than anything I've ever done. I'm feeling so inadequate. The thought of going to work tomorrow makes me feel sick. I'm so scared of failing or having conversations and not knowing the answer to questions. I'm dreading the next few months of this ☹

Sarahbelle Anxiety and Covid 19
  • replies: 278

Hi. I am extremely anxious about the current covid pandemic. Feel as though it is living in my brain but my body feels the symptoms. It causes me such panic and terror and all consuming Trying to challenge my thinking but ver hard. Any one else feel ... View more

Hi. I am extremely anxious about the current covid pandemic. Feel as though it is living in my brain but my body feels the symptoms. It causes me such panic and terror and all consuming Trying to challenge my thinking but ver hard. Any one else feel this. Any advice appreciated. Thankyou.

JennaD back again.
  • replies: 10

hi all I’m 3 weeks into taking my medication again 2 weeks on one dose and 1 week on a higher does. I felt for a little bit that it was working I stopped crying everyday had energy to do things like my nails which I enjoy doing. but the past few days... View more

hi all I’m 3 weeks into taking my medication again 2 weeks on one dose and 1 week on a higher does. I felt for a little bit that it was working I stopped crying everyday had energy to do things like my nails which I enjoy doing. but the past few days have just been crap honestly. ive only had one panic attack since which was just before, I got hot and my heart started beating fast and I just broke down I honestly just can’t handle the panic attacks, I’m still waiting to see someone I’m still at that point where I feel there’s something wrong with me like cancer I feel like I live most days in constant anxiety. I feel my tablets are making me shaky and dizzy and just out of it some days when I was first put on tablets I was pregnant so I wasn’t getting the full effect of the tablet but now I am I spoke to a pharmacist yesterday who said it shouldn’t hightend my anxiety but I feel it does I know taking a new dose will give me side affects as it has to get into my system again but the only main ones I have are feeling sick and the dizziness and of course heightend anxiety. I know everyone’s different but just wanted to hear your guys story’s about panic disorders and how you guys deal with it. I know I still have at least another 3 weeks till my tablets should start working properly I just feel it’s taking forever and having to go threw all this again because I stopped my tablets when I shouldn’t have, I know I’ll get threw this just wish it would go faster.

ZacR Excessively Sympathetic
  • replies: 7

Hi. I'm trying to read more about and research about a certain tendency I have. It's the tendency to sympathize with what others are experiencing but then multiply it and feel their pain 10x stronger than normal [sympathic responses]. The basis for t... View more

Hi. I'm trying to read more about and research about a certain tendency I have. It's the tendency to sympathize with what others are experiencing but then multiply it and feel their pain 10x stronger than normal [sympathic responses]. The basis for trying to feel the pain more powerfully is the popular notion that no one cannot truly know another's pain so I just make it bigger and hope I get close. The problem is that this habit interferes with my life and impairs my ability to focus on what I'm doing - work, communication, recreation, other everyday activities - and causes intense emotional pain and can last hours. Still worse I've come to realise that I sympathize with myself and/or others in imaginary/possible future situations (so now imagine sympathizing with not one, but multiple individuals of a day-dream at 10x intensity). Seeking professional advice is on my to do list but reading and researching about this is higher on my list. I can't, however, seem to condense the habit into a searchable expression/term. I'm posting here in the hope of know if there are existing simpler names or ways of describing this or if (even better!) you have been fortunate enough to come across an article describing something similar.