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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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TimHh Chronic insomnia but not depressed
  • replies: 2

Hi, new to this forum. I have suffered from severe insomnia for nearly 20 years with levels fluctuating from mild to extreme over the years. I do not suffer from depression though which is commonly associated with insomnia. I am generally an anxious ... View more

Hi, new to this forum. I have suffered from severe insomnia for nearly 20 years with levels fluctuating from mild to extreme over the years. I do not suffer from depression though which is commonly associated with insomnia. I am generally an anxious person but not in the extreme. My problem with insomnia is complex. If I have a mattress that is nice and soft I'm usually able to fall asleep and get a few hours rest, but this has not occurred for me in 12 months now, as I feel that my mattress is just not right for whatever reason. I load it up with foam overlays to soften it, but if I feel the spring beneath is too firm, I still cant sleep, I just cant seem to switch off and fall asleep. I have bought and sold 6 mattresses alone this year in 2021 and have not been content with any of them. I am at my wits end trying to get enough sleep to survive each day. I run a business and it impacts that negatively aswell as my relationship with my partner. I am constantly fatigued, this in turn stops me from exercising as I'm just too tired to do so, a self perpetuating vicious cycle. The problem is so limiting that I no longer travel anywhere as I just cant sleep wherever I go, it really is a terrible feeling of being trapped in this problem. I have tried everything to try and address my insomnia, from natural supplements, to CBT therapy, even a sleep study overnight stay, some 10 years ago. I didn't sleep at all during the overnight stay at the sleep clinic, so thought they would be able to diagnose a course of treatment for me, but all they said was perhaps take some anti depressants, I was shocked this was all they could offer, which brings me to my next point. My partner has has recently suggested taking an anti depressant, so I went to my GP and asked him about that and he agreed and prescribed me SSRI antidepressant, so now I am sitting here wondering whether or not I should be taking an anti-depressant to treat my chronic insomnia??? im not depressed at all (or at least I don't think so) and its scares me that it will alter my brain architecture for the worse, rather than for the good, but perhaps its worth a shot? Will increasing my seratonin levels cure my insomnia?? I'm really in the dark about anti depressants and their ability to help curb or treat insomnia. I would really appreciate some help or advice as to what to do. Thank you all for listening to my story, I just hope I can find something to help me beat this problem. Cheers, Tim

tofu I don’t know how to help myself
  • replies: 3

I don’t really know which section to post, sorry if this is the wrong one. I have lost the desire to do many things and can’t bring myself to do anything at the moment. After more than 7 years of needing help I finally went to a counsellor a few mont... View more

I don’t really know which section to post, sorry if this is the wrong one. I have lost the desire to do many things and can’t bring myself to do anything at the moment. After more than 7 years of needing help I finally went to a counsellor a few months ago. I had an extremely difficult time talking about myself, (I’m a really shy and private person), I opened up a bit but after the next 3 sessions came I felt uncomfortable taking so I cancelled and never had a session again. I think I got diagnosed with anxiety, but honestly was scared to ask and not sure if the person I was talking to can formally diagnose either? I just saw it on my medical record. I had no motivation to follow their advice/homework, I tried but I could never fully bring myself to do anything. I’m honestly really scared and uncomfortable with talking about this stuff face to face with some one that’s a real person, idk how to explain it, even through one on one texting privately (maybe it’s hypocritical of me to post on a forum after saying this?). It’s the fact that I don’t really want to share my immensely personal experiences but I desperately do at the same time, to get somewhere. I just don't really like physically talking/texting about this stuff and I know I’ll never be able to comfortably open up no matter how many sessions and with who. I couldn’t be open enough for them to really help me either, it was really general and they mostly did the talking, or at least that’s how it felt. So to me it’s like what they were teaching me wasn’t what I really needed because I couldn’t say much. I’m scared to go on medication so I don’t think I’d agree to that. I also don’t feel motivated enough to follow indirect advice atm too. In the past I tried it all, journal, exercise, breathing techniques, hobbies I don’t really have interest in anymore etc. I feel so stuck on how to better myself when I can’t bring my self to. Even what I’m fully diagnosed with, if I really have any mental health issues? I don’t have motivation for anything to do with myself, what do I do to help myself? Are there other options ? I feel like there’s too much to address now ahh. Thank you so much for getting down here and reading my essay ♡

Paris44 New job anxiety
  • replies: 5

Hi, this is my first post here. I started a new job on Monday. Did a few shifts but my anxiety got the best of me yesterday. Ended up spending the night in hospital. Dr has given me a week off but I can’t go back. I’m so embarrassed and the thought o... View more

Hi, this is my first post here. I started a new job on Monday. Did a few shifts but my anxiety got the best of me yesterday. Ended up spending the night in hospital. Dr has given me a week off but I can’t go back. I’m so embarrassed and the thought of even walking into the shopping centre where the shop is is terrifying me. I lost me dad suddenly last October and am still struggling with that. At the time, I had a good job as a manager in a store which I was at for 6 years but in February they cut hours back so I took a redundancy. I got a job straight away but in an completely different field. They were so good to me and they knew I was struggling with the loss of my dad. But I got anxiety everyday going to work and thought I wasn’t doing a good job. When I got offered the job in the shop they were understanding and really good about it. I felt so guilty that I was leaving but it’s what I thought I wanted and needed to do. But now I think I’ve made a mistake. I think I was trying to make my life how it was when my dad was here if that makes sense. I really feel like I’ve stuffed everything up and put everyone out. I really don’t mean to but that’s what keeps happening

Bulldogbobby73 Evolving Health Anxiety
  • replies: 6

Hi everyone, I am in the process of having my anxiety change symptoms every few days - it is so exhausting and annoying. I go from chest pains for a couple/few days, I get a handle on them, then I will be breathless for three or four days, then that ... View more

Hi everyone, I am in the process of having my anxiety change symptoms every few days - it is so exhausting and annoying. I go from chest pains for a couple/few days, I get a handle on them, then I will be breathless for three or four days, then that will mysteriously disappear, I then wake this morning and worry my heart is beating fast, for no reason and now have spent all day worrying my heart is beating fast. Does anyone else get this as it seems, if on any given day I am not anxious about something, I wonder why and question why I feel relatively normal. I’ve had health anxiety on and off all of my life, up until a few weeks ago it had not surfaced for a few years. I remember being at primary school (9-10 years old) and worried I had a brain tumour cos I had a headache for a couple of weeks and remember being distressed. I am now 47 and still worry most of the time about my health, have had ECG’s blood tests and stress ECG last week and shows I’m okay, just take meds for high bp. All I want is to feel free of anxiety and enjoy being with my kids and wife instead of being too anxious to enjoy being with them. I am so tired sometimes, I want to sleep for a week…

Markymark313 Transcranial magnetic stimulation
  • replies: 3

Hey guys I have been doing a bit of research about anxiety and derealisation/depersonalisation and came across transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment which from what I have found can have some promising results I am wondering if anyone has tried... View more

Hey guys I have been doing a bit of research about anxiety and derealisation/depersonalisation and came across transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment which from what I have found can have some promising results I am wondering if anyone has tried this treatment if they could shed any insight into it as i am really considering it because I'm so over anxiety and derealisation being such a big factor in my life but it is quite expensive

Amanda2000 too overwhelmed
  • replies: 12

Covid has taken away my personal space. I'm becoming more and more anxious & depressed. Home - I'm overwhelmed by my family being at home 24/7. I get very nervous when I hear their footsteps. Urge to run and hide. They're always in my way when it com... View more

Covid has taken away my personal space. I'm becoming more and more anxious & depressed. Home - I'm overwhelmed by my family being at home 24/7. I get very nervous when I hear their footsteps. Urge to run and hide. They're always in my way when it comes to shared-areas like the kitchen and bathroom. I try to avoid them and I don't talk much to them. No privacy to cry. Work - I work part-time but people seem to have forgotten now that everyone is used to working-from-home. I jump every time my phone rings. I feel "guilty" that I have missed their calls on my non-work days and imagine they're thinking the worst of me. I know it's self-inflicted "fake" guilt but I can't fight off this horrible feeling. I just want to be left alone. I want to feel some peace and quiet again - both physically and mentally.

Sadie243 Anxious thoughts
  • replies: 3

Hi all, I have lived with anxiety and OCD for 10.years now. I usually manage it quite well each day. As of late I've has relationship anxiety. My boyfriend and I have been together for 1.5 years now and we have a pretty strong connection and foundati... View more

Hi all, I have lived with anxiety and OCD for 10.years now. I usually manage it quite well each day. As of late I've has relationship anxiety. My boyfriend and I have been together for 1.5 years now and we have a pretty strong connection and foundation. Lately I've noticed i get anxious about mixing friend groups. I'm the type of person who gets along with everyone so it doesn't bother me. But I'm constantly worrying about keeping my partner happy when he attends events that my friends have invited us to. My best friends boyfriend has a 30th coming up and we are both invited. His friends are a little different and I.guess considered weird. I'm anxious that the impression that his friends present will.reflect on me and my boyfriend will suddenly decide that my friends are weird and dump me. I know it sounds irrational but it genuinely worries me

Dibbles_23 Hi all
  • replies: 4

Hi guys , I’m new here and need help with anxiety. I’ve never been to a therapist because of anxiety and fear of judgement, even writing this thread I’m tear up , so seeing a professional is a little terrifying tbh . my anxiety is next level lately a... View more

Hi guys , I’m new here and need help with anxiety. I’ve never been to a therapist because of anxiety and fear of judgement, even writing this thread I’m tear up , so seeing a professional is a little terrifying tbh . my anxiety is next level lately and is starting to effect my relationship , everything was okay until 3 months ago when my partner said they weren’t in love with me due to their own mental health issues , and even though we have sorted everything out , it’s left me anxious and stressed feeling like it’s going to happen again . Anyone out there have advice at all ?

SallyB99 Do I have anxiety or is this something more ?
  • replies: 3

Hey guys, I'm currently having issues with thinking too much about things. Previously, I did have anxiety (like the jumpy, cries all the time, my stomach hurts, my chest hurts, etc.) But for the past 2 years, I haven't experienced it anymore thus far... View more

Hey guys, I'm currently having issues with thinking too much about things. Previously, I did have anxiety (like the jumpy, cries all the time, my stomach hurts, my chest hurts, etc.) But for the past 2 years, I haven't experienced it anymore thus far. However, lately, I have been feeling like I don't want to talk to people anymore, everytime I try to talk to people I become very negative and nervous, and feel like they might judge me or smth. And every preaching (bcs I'm a Christian) that's being delivered to me makes me irritated. And I feel like I'm very hateful towards everything. I am very sensitive to loud noises, if I hear them I would flinch or gets angry. Every night, I'm having trouble sleeping (if I'm not extremely tired), I have to watch something until I fall asleep, otherwise my brain is wandering too much. It thinks about the future, what I said today, did I make mistake for not doing something, and thinking about the work that I have not done yet (am I procastinating, etc.) I feel like my brain thinks TOOOO MUCH, and I'm so irritated by it. Is this a normal behaviour for a person to have ? Does this happen to everyone ?

MissJ94 Workplace Harassment
  • replies: 1

I work night shifts. The last few nights ive been on at work have been quite traumatic for me. It began sunday night where the staff member was on a facetime call and switched the camera onto me to engage in the conversation. I had made it very clear... View more

I work night shifts. The last few nights ive been on at work have been quite traumatic for me. It began sunday night where the staff member was on a facetime call and switched the camera onto me to engage in the conversation. I had made it very clear i wasnt willing. Monday day time the staff member seems to have made an instagram account to stalk me. He had liked a photo of mine, the profile has literally nothing on it. Tuesday night back at work and things go next level creep. Asking for my number then using the reason he is applying for a job and asked if i could be a referee, initially thought thats fine with me but now regretting handing over my mobile number. Then asking personal questions, some i was ok to answer, others i didnt answer. It was at this point i made it very clear i already have someone and am not the slightest bit interested. But he persisted. Continued to stating he looked for me on social media pages and found my profiles. Then he started asking me if i know why hes asking so many questions as though he wanted me to fall head over heels for him and say because he likes me???? All i said was no whats your reason. And he would just reply "i think you must know the reason", i refused to answer and got back to my work. Later that night he stated the car i drive and where i park at work, not that there were at least 5 other cars in the carpark and he doesnt arrive or leave work when i do. Not long later he send me a message request on one of my social media accounts. A completely random message where i asked him what the hell hes talking about. He said to just watch the video under that message and it was a really disturbing video that could be taken sexually. I ignored. Then he said hes going to swap his monday shift to work on wednesday(i dont work mondays but i do work wednesdays) and he commented that i didnt ask him why so i turned to him and asked why just for him to reply with "i think you know why". Again ended that conversation. I had told my mum, guy im seeing and a friend all about this. When i got to work wednesday night he turned up and i went into a panic. My mum got worried and called the police to my work. After speaking to them they really just made me feel like im over reacting but may be able to get an APVO out on him but i need more of his details. I spoke to them crying and shaking uncontrollably, was that panicked i even took my mask off and not fearing ill be fined for that! Am i overreacting??