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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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Baileybasil Have no idea what to do with my life
  • replies: 22

I don’t have any passion or motivation anymore, not even for the things I used to like. Bad things happened during highschool and that caused me to drop out before completing year 10, now years later I’m still depressed but now I have to get my life ... View more

I don’t have any passion or motivation anymore, not even for the things I used to like. Bad things happened during highschool and that caused me to drop out before completing year 10, now years later I’m still depressed but now I have to get my life together, how can I do that when I have too much social anxiety to see my girlfriend or take a phone call? I can’t study anything I want to because they all have a requirement to finish year 12 to enter. And I also have no idea what I want to do and no drive to fix anything either. I think about the future and I only get upset, I don’t want to be forced to work a job I hate until I die or work until I’m old with no savings like my parents. I talk to people these days and I cringe at myself, dissecting what I said and telling myself it was stupid or lame.

Sanja04 Loss of balance
  • replies: 4

Hello all, im a newby here and wanted to share my situation and to see if anybody here can share some tips. Have suffered from anxiety/hipocondria for many years but this time is really hard. I did brain mri and its all fine thank god. My neck c3 and... View more

Hello all, im a newby here and wanted to share my situation and to see if anybody here can share some tips. Have suffered from anxiety/hipocondria for many years but this time is really hard. I did brain mri and its all fine thank god. My neck c3 and c4 have annulus tear, disc protrusion and flattening of the right hemicord with potential root impingmement. Also my c5 c6 and c7 have small disc bulging and protrusions. I also have hypoplasia of the right transverse and sigmoid sinus as well as right maxiallry mucosal changes...so all in all lots going on but my neurologist believes the balance issue is in my head. My gp thinks the same. Im sometimes ok but then sometimes i simply am scared to walk. I have never fallen or anything like that but i always feel like im on the boat. I really dont know what else to do to help my situation. Anybody here that could share some tips pls? Thank you

bumblebee3160 Health Anxiety! - Brain Tumour
  • replies: 3

I think I have health anxiety. I constantly feel like something horrible is wrong with me, the most common horrible thought is that I have a brain tumour. A friend just passed from a brain tumour and ever since he was diagnosed I have lived in consta... View more

I think I have health anxiety. I constantly feel like something horrible is wrong with me, the most common horrible thought is that I have a brain tumour. A friend just passed from a brain tumour and ever since he was diagnosed I have lived in constant fear. Unfortunately I started consulting Dr Google, I can’t stop worrying every little headache is a sign! It’s gotten to the point where I think I’m now having panic attacks, I get heart palpitations, my legs turn to jelly and literally shake uncontrollably, I cry and then I can’t sleep, I start jolting awake when I try to fall asleep. ugh it’s awful! And it’s so draining! I’m sick of feeling like somethings wrong with me all the time! I don’t know what to do or how to stop! Do I really have something wrong with me or am I just paranoid! Has anyone else felt this way? Have you had these horrible thoughts turn out to be true? Any tips and advise would be greatly appreciated! I just want my life back.

Panicked_Kylie New Girl
  • replies: 8

Hey, I'm new here. It's 1am, and I've been experiencing panic attacks for the last month. Tonight is particularly bad. I'm terrified, physically uncomfortable, extremely tired... its been going on all night. I feel helpless and alone. I live by mysel... View more

Hey, I'm new here. It's 1am, and I've been experiencing panic attacks for the last month. Tonight is particularly bad. I'm terrified, physically uncomfortable, extremely tired... its been going on all night. I feel helpless and alone. I live by myself, and my greatest fear is having a heart attack alone in my home- that fear is amplified 100x during a panic attack which seems to never end. I went to the hospital two weeks ago and had an ECG. Doctor assured me my heart was find. I'd like to believe him, but I don't. I think I'm a hypochondriac, which makes me too embarrassed and ashamed to seek further help. I started on escitalopram two weeks ago, but it hasn't helped. I'll be making an appointment at the doc ASAP to find out what more I can do. I don't know what I'm supposed to do. I don't know how to help myself. These symptoms feel all physical, not psychological or emotional, so I feel helpless and unable to control it. I wake up from a deep sleep having a panic attack... I'm at my witts end. I joined a Facebook group for anxiety and panic sufferers, but there are so many people there, my posts get lost amongst the masses, and I tend to write entire novels... that might bore people...

Leonay How to stop the backward slide
  • replies: 6

Twelve months ago I hit crisis point with work and family and attempted suicide. I spent time in hospital followed by ongoing support from a psychologist. Everything has been improving except my work where I feel intimidated by my boss, I have no sup... View more

Twelve months ago I hit crisis point with work and family and attempted suicide. I spent time in hospital followed by ongoing support from a psychologist. Everything has been improving except my work where I feel intimidated by my boss, I have no support or understanding and I am now almost back where I started from twelve months ago. It has been a very noticeable slide over the last six months in particular. I vomit each day before work, I get so anxious I get chest pains when I see her let alone talk to her. I am working really hard with my psychologist to put strategies in place to cope but I am wondering how everyone else copes when they feel themselves sliding back down that path again. According to my psychologist I am actually showing considerably more anxiety and depression than when I attempted suicide last year but I haven't done anything. I have to admit I have had thoughts but the strategies I have developed have helped to stop myself from carrying anything out. I know that I should be doing things that make me feel good like my art but to be honest I am so exhausted each day by the time I get home I don't have the energy anymore. I just feel like such a failure because I am letting my boss bully me, I'm too scared to speak up and my mental health has taken a really big hit. If anyone has any suggestions I would love to here how you are helping yourself. I love teaching (I teach primary school) but my boss has me in such a spin. I live in a small regional area so if I speak up it could hinder my chances of other jobs. Please if you have any thoughts I would be every so appreciative. I hate feeling like this and I need a kick to help me to get myself out of this rut. Thanks and take care

Larks98 Fatigued from Anxiety
  • replies: 3

Hi guys, I've had anxiety for the last 12 months. Upon having multiple tests to rule out any serious problems. My GP has suggested that I should start exercising/training. Since being diagnosed, I have felt easily fatigued when doing exercise. Im 22 ... View more

Hi guys, I've had anxiety for the last 12 months. Upon having multiple tests to rule out any serious problems. My GP has suggested that I should start exercising/training. Since being diagnosed, I have felt easily fatigued when doing exercise. Im 22 and as a kid I always played sports as well as in highschool. Admittedly, I haven't exercised regularly for a few years now, but these days my cardio is very poor. And I get easily fatigued quickly. Any tips on how to get back to training/exercising and getting back to my usual fitness. And if anyone can relate please do so, Cheers.

agj5 Good jobs for anxious people.
  • replies: 9

Hello everyone, This is my first post here. And, I think, it is a "funny" one. I want to ask if there are any non-buzzword* jobs that still pay well? *Fast-paced, attention to detail, conflicting priorities, etc, etc, etc That is my current job. And ... View more

Hello everyone, This is my first post here. And, I think, it is a "funny" one. I want to ask if there are any non-buzzword* jobs that still pay well? *Fast-paced, attention to detail, conflicting priorities, etc, etc, etc That is my current job. And every other job I see advertised out there. I can't cope. I need a break. But I still need to earn a living. What type of jobs are suitable for an anxious person who wants to avoid the dreaded feeling that you are falling behind in your work and you are going to get in trouble every day because you are not performing to the expected standards? Something slow or normal-paced, where you are not going to be putting fires day in and day out and your work becomes a mess because you are drowning in inefficiencies and poor processes. I know that no company/job/colleague is perfect but I do hope that there is something more suitable for our mental health? Oh, and that we can still make a decent living! Looking to hear your experiences Thanks.

contrarymary Mindfulness, meditation and anxiety
  • replies: 4

I have taken advice from beyond blue help line and from my GP both have recommended mindfulness and meditation. I have been trying this for the past 2 months but It doesn't work for me. I read all the instructions and try to follow the exercises eg b... View more

I have taken advice from beyond blue help line and from my GP both have recommended mindfulness and meditation. I have been trying this for the past 2 months but It doesn't work for me. I read all the instructions and try to follow the exercises eg breathing and relaxing but I can't do it. I went also to some meditation classes followed the teachers instructions everyone else was relaxing but not me, the teacher gave me some extra instruction but no use any ideas on working it out or any suggestions for other ideas to try. my GP referred me to a councillor and they suggested mindfulness. am I the only one who doesn't understand mindfulness

Sleepless1987 Touch
  • replies: 7

I'm struggling to with my anxiety levels at the moment, I just want to crawl into bed and stay there. I am particularly having trouble with personal space, I don't even want my nieces hugging name. I adore my nieces and nephews, but even the idea of ... View more

I'm struggling to with my anxiety levels at the moment, I just want to crawl into bed and stay there. I am particularly having trouble with personal space, I don't even want my nieces hugging name. I adore my nieces and nephews, but even the idea of them hugging me is making my skin crawl. Does anyone have any tips on how to face this?

Koli_2 Gagging Phobia
  • replies: 1

Hi All, First time poster here... In the last month, I've relapsed badly with anxiety only this time it has taken the form of a fear of gagging (particularly at work). The major component of thephobia is gagging in front of colleagues in the office, ... View more

Hi All, First time poster here... In the last month, I've relapsed badly with anxiety only this time it has taken the form of a fear of gagging (particularly at work). The major component of thephobia is gagging in front of colleagues in the office, either when everyone is quietly working around me, or in direct conversation with people. Thus far (and despite all of my catastrophising), I haven't actual done either of the above, however, yesterday I came very close to doing so on several occasions. For all of my attempts at self-talk, deep breathing, etc., I feel myself increasingly at the point of it just happening (and it has happened, but not near colleagues). I'm afraid I'm losing faith in my techniques for seeing out the situation, reducing the stress and defusing the negative self-talk. I've almost convinced myself that just by thinking about it, I will make it happen. My only 'defense' at this stage appears to be applying acupressure to the palm which reduces the urge to gag and valium prescribed to me by my GP! I've just started seeing a therapist to address this issue but, unfortunately, owing to the increased demand for many such professionals post-covid, I can only see him in another two weeks. I'm kind of at a loss as to what to do now. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks for your time.