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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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Elle_gross Needy? separation anxiety from ex
  • replies: 7

So about a few months ago me and my ex broke up because we both weren’t ready for a relationship. I couldn’t handle my emotions well and there was often miscommunication from his side. Right now we still have feelings for each other but decide to foc... View more

So about a few months ago me and my ex broke up because we both weren’t ready for a relationship. I couldn’t handle my emotions well and there was often miscommunication from his side. Right now we still have feelings for each other but decide to focus on ourselves. We talked about waiting for each other but decided it was best to just go with the flow because it’s more fair and he wasn’t ready for commitment. We both agree that when we graduate from high school if we still happen to have feelings for each other we will try again which is in two years. Soooo long. I’ve opened up to him about my anxiety and he’s understood and listened but overtime he says it became a bit irritating cuz I keep relying on him to much it drains his energy and he is doing work most of the time I open up. Now when I try to open up he isn’t as empathetic as before (he is much more understanding irl tho). I can’t open up to my parents because they don’t want me to talk to him because they think he did something bad because all the miscommunication. So we can barely hangout and only privately. I’m always so anxious that we will slowly grow apart and he will lose feelings for me. He isn’t a good texter and he barely starts conversations which makes me soooo anxious. I am afraid of the future if this persists and we slowly just stop talking and lose the connection we have. How can I focus on myself if this is bothering me so much. I don’t know what I should do.

macfan6 Starting a new medication
  • replies: 7

Hi, a doctor has just put me on medication for severe constant stress and anxiety from moving. Does anyone have experience with taking medication and how it makes them feel? I feel terrible today. Woke up with worries, and now I can’t shake it. Feel ... View more

Hi, a doctor has just put me on medication for severe constant stress and anxiety from moving. Does anyone have experience with taking medication and how it makes them feel? I feel terrible today. Woke up with worries, and now I can’t shake it. Feel like I’m going crazy.

Anxiousbear Scared/Anxious of the future/current state of the world
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone this is my first post here. I'm seeing a psychologist but I need some extra help. The current state of the world has me feeling extremely anxious. Im terrified that i won't have a future, i am feeling very hopeless. With the current pande... View more

Hi everyone this is my first post here. I'm seeing a psychologist but I need some extra help. The current state of the world has me feeling extremely anxious. Im terrified that i won't have a future, i am feeling very hopeless. With the current pandemic, climate change and all the recent news my anxiety is unbearable. The current deterioration with US/Russia, China/Us/Taiwan and North Korea, really just any possibility of a Nuclear war that can cause the end of the world. Honestly I thought things would stabilise more with a new Us administration but it doesn't seem to be in the slightest. I know there is nothing I can do and I should live in the moment but I find that hard to do when I feel hopeless and like i don't have anything to look forward to/ the world could collapse at any moment. I've heard we are living in the most peaceful time but I find that hard to believe with all the conflict happening and brewing. I can spend all day reading about what's going on and what might happen and it's like an addiction and I can't stop even though it makes me feel more anxious. I don't want a war to happen and dont want to die in a global famine. I've heard about catastrophising in anxiety but it's hard to stop when it feels so real. Any advice would be hugely appreciated. Thanks

MissJ94 Vaccine!!
  • replies: 9

Im extremely vaccine hesitant for the covid vaccines. I have so many concerns about them. Will i die from having it? Will i have a massive allergic reaction? Will it affect my fertility? Will it make me permanently disabled? Ive asked my doctor all t... View more

Im extremely vaccine hesitant for the covid vaccines. I have so many concerns about them. Will i die from having it? Will i have a massive allergic reaction? Will it affect my fertility? Will it make me permanently disabled? Ive asked my doctor all these questions and hes tried to reassure me that im more likely to die from covid if i get sick with it instead of the vaccine but it doesnt settle that anxiety, that feeling like im on the verge of a panick attack! I have bad asthma, when ever i do get sick it ends up as bad bronchitis and has lead to pneumonia a couple times. Im of Aboriginal background. I work in aged care. So pretty much tick everything, that i need to have it. Im booked in for the pfizer vaccine on monday and i just feel like im signing my own death certificate. Im tempted to write a will and have it legally signed or whatever you have to do before i have this vaccine. Im already planning on posting to my facebook page "if i die, someone please make sure my son goes to my mum or sister and not someone hes never met(his father)". I havent felt the fight or flight response so severely in myself before and its like my mind is in conflict with itself! I havent been about to stop shaking since i booked it in earlier this week. I know i should have it for so many reasons, but im scared to death of having it! And nothing my doctor has said has helped to ease those feelings. Right now i feel like they would have to knock me out to have it! I have a cousin and a couple friends who feel the exact same too so i know its not just me with these feelings! Its so distressing.

RhiannonJ I'm new-unbearable withdrawal?
  • replies: 5

I'm new to all this, i have had anxiety for most of my life on and off. I started getting anxious recently and was prescribed an antidepressant as a cure by the local meat market (GP). Worked great for sleep, didnt completely fix my anxiety and made ... View more

I'm new to all this, i have had anxiety for most of my life on and off. I started getting anxious recently and was prescribed an antidepressant as a cure by the local meat market (GP). Worked great for sleep, didnt completely fix my anxiety and made my appetite insatiable. After two months and breakthrough anxiety my doctor suggested switching to another medication which would cause me heart palpilations for the first few days. now considering this was the reason i went to see him in the first place i balked at the idea. i went back to him and asked about quitting cold turkey. i was on it for two months only. he said i should be fine and to use my benzodiazepine when required. Well, the first week was fine, then came the stomach problems, loss of appetite, nausea, and hell anxiety attacks. Now i have been struck down with insomnia also which is increasing my anxiety into this viscious circle. i have been working from home and this helps keep me occupied but now i'm freaking out about my work because it is becoming truly unbearable. it has now been 24 days since my last mirt. Just starting to wonder if this is no longer withdrawals? Seriously i didnt even have that bad anxiety before going on the mirt. i have never felt like this ever and i am withdrawing from everyone, even my family.

Lucyyy Breakups and flare ups
  • replies: 3

Hi all, I recently was broken up with by my boyfriend as he couldn’t handle my mental health anymore. This has caused a big spike in my anxiety especially since it also meant I needed to pack up my stuff and move from his house in under 24hrs. I find... View more

Hi all, I recently was broken up with by my boyfriend as he couldn’t handle my mental health anymore. This has caused a big spike in my anxiety especially since it also meant I needed to pack up my stuff and move from his house in under 24hrs. I find I keep being on the edge of panic and am unable to eat even though I’m starving. I just feel so nauseous and feel like I have a lump in my throat. Clearly I’m going through a lot but it makes me feel like this cycle of anxiety will just never end and I don’t know how much longer I can deal with it. I was prescribed antidepressants and was unable to continue taking them as I had a bad reaction and am also terrified of taking any types of medications as well as pain killers. I’m lost on what to do and am just so exhausted

millhhaus new here - Anxiety and poor sleep help
  • replies: 6

hi there, for the last week i have not been able to sleep through the night. i previuosly have not had issues with sleeping but atm im awake most of the night. when i do sleep i feel alot of anxiety ( fretting). feel like im losing touch with reality... View more

hi there, for the last week i have not been able to sleep through the night. i previuosly have not had issues with sleeping but atm im awake most of the night. when i do sleep i feel alot of anxiety ( fretting). feel like im losing touch with reality, constant tinitus ringing in my ears. im at a loss as to what to do? thanks.

Joan65 Help PLEASE I have a near 18 year old so overwhelmed, who will now not get out of bed.
  • replies: 5

Hi everyone. Hoping someone has some fabulous tips that have worked to get us out of this storm. I am a single mum, with a 17 and a half year old son in secondary school. Over this last period of Victorian lockdown, he has got himself to the point th... View more

Hi everyone. Hoping someone has some fabulous tips that have worked to get us out of this storm. I am a single mum, with a 17 and a half year old son in secondary school. Over this last period of Victorian lockdown, he has got himself to the point that he is not attending online classes and sleeping in until the afternoon. He has a heavy school load and I know this feeling of overwhelmnous is the contributor to his avoidance of any school work. He has begrudgingly gone to a few physcology sessions in the past 5 weeks but I dont feel it is helping. I have emailed the physcologist last night to ask what I can do to help. The problem is my son won't seek any extra help. He is not listening to me at the moment. Technology is a major issue and contributor. I know the obvious answer is to cut off the internet but that isnt feasable. Any input will help me Thanks for reading.

Jezza53 Migraines, Severe Anxiety and panic attacks. Looking for positive recovery stories
  • replies: 17

Gday guys, im a 30 year old male, life long sufferer of migraines and strong anxiety, which have become more and more debilitating the older i get. i had a very active life, and although i wasn't really well, i was able to actually go out and live my... View more

Gday guys, im a 30 year old male, life long sufferer of migraines and strong anxiety, which have become more and more debilitating the older i get. i had a very active life, and although i wasn't really well, i was able to actually go out and live my life. That was until my panic attacks caused my to lose my job, lose my ability to live on my own, to be away from home etc. I've been seeing therapists, psychologists and psychiatrists for the past year, and have tried 4 different medications, for the correct amount of time, all have which have either not worked or have made me much, much worse. my problem is i can handle anxiety, but when it turns to panic and im away from home, no amount of CBT or deep breathing or positive thinking can help, and i have to either go do things with people or suffer extreme torment until im able to get home and wait out the attack. im still trying new doctors and medications and therapy avenues, but i live in a rural area and cant physically travel to where the good help is without completely losing my mind due to panic. I do my best to stay positive, but to do so while suffering migraines, constant anxiety and sporadic debilitating panic attacks that have quite literally ruined my life, its very, very hard. im looking for people who have suffered through similar comorbid conditions, as the only thing thats worse than going through this, is going through it alone. for anyone wanting to suggest change of diet, exercise, bloodworks, mri's etc, i have tried no sugar for months, no difference, no caffeine for two weeks, no difference, extensive mri on head neck and back, all clear, bloodworks, all clear, exercise generally makes no difference or makes me feel worse with headaches. i used to train for triathlons and being able to run 6km, ride 30km and swim 1km did nothing to quell the strong anxiety and flighty panic response to emotions. i have breakthroughs, where im able to work on myself with healthcare professionals, start feeling good, going out on my own driving etc and like, feeling that im getting my life back, but its like when i get used to one form of panic, randomly, for no discernible reason, i will suffer a new form of panic that i dont know how to deal with, that postive habits and thought patterns cant touch. ive had about 7 such relapses in the last year, and now my only option is to cycle through medications at the risk of them hurting me again. cheers for any help, much appreciated.

MJK1976 Swallowing when feeling anxious
  • replies: 3

I have been suffering with anxiety for many years and lately it’s getting worse. When faced with anxiety or I feel uncomfortable, I have to swallow, this is mainly at work situations because this is where I feel the most anxiety. It’s making it diffi... View more

I have been suffering with anxiety for many years and lately it’s getting worse. When faced with anxiety or I feel uncomfortable, I have to swallow, this is mainly at work situations because this is where I feel the most anxiety. It’s making it difficult for me to communicate and speak freely because I don’t want people to notice my condition. This condition has prevented me from stepping up at work and getting any promotions and has basically held me back in life. I went to see a doctor recently and they told me to talk with a psychologist. Is this is best option for me, or would medication help me. I know my doctor wont give me meds. Is there anyone else out there that experiences a condition like mine?