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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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amalee78 Physical sensations anxiety or something serious?
  • replies: 14

I had been congratulating myself on being so much better the last few months, now here I am again. I am totally fixated on my armpit at the moment. One day I thought one armpit looked puffier than the other. I couldn’t feel a specific lump, just an o... View more

I had been congratulating myself on being so much better the last few months, now here I am again. I am totally fixated on my armpit at the moment. One day I thought one armpit looked puffier than the other. I couldn’t feel a specific lump, just an overall puffiness type thing. Ever since then, my anxiety has just been out of control. Now I feel like sometimes I can feel a feeling - like a sore muscle, type ache in my armpit. It is not all the time, but I would feel it every day. I think maybe the feeling moves, though, sometimes it’s at the front crease of my armpit, sometimes towards the back. I don’t think it is ever actually IN my armpit (if you know what I mean) Sometimes when I can’t feel that funny ache, I look for it and wonder why it’s not there....and the worst part is I’m just not sure if sometimes it’s just in my mind. I do definitely feel it though. It’s getting to the point where I can’t look at myself in the mirror, or touch that part of my body. I’m just not sure that’s normal. My husband has looked many times and says both armpits look the same to him, and that they don’t feel different to him. Then I think to myself, if it was something fatal he wouldn’t be able to see it anyway... Surely if it was the C word the pain would be severe and constant, not coming and going? I am fixated on lymph nodes, but I have to honest, I don’t even know where they are in my armpit (are they right up in the top? Or around the edges?? Probably best not to answer anyway, it will just fuel the beast for me).....But, again, how normal is it to worry about something like that if you don’t even know where you should be worried about or what it would feel like? I just need some help. I’m sorry for the long post, but I just can’t get past this. I also just can’t keep living like this anymore. Of anyone has any words of wisdom for me I would appreciate it.

humanleague slipping away from my family
  • replies: 3

I have difficulty with big change. It brings on severe anxiety and depression. I have lived where i live for over a decade and i'm very happy here. All my friends are here, my hobbies and outlets that make me happy (and keep my anxiety & depression a... View more

I have difficulty with big change. It brings on severe anxiety and depression. I have lived where i live for over a decade and i'm very happy here. All my friends are here, my hobbies and outlets that make me happy (and keep my anxiety & depression at bay) are all here. I'm close to my parents, who are also living close by. Over the last few years my wife has been making notions that she wants to move. Recently she's been putting the hard shoulder on me even harder When we first moved here quite some time ago, we had so many hopes and dreams. It's a beautiful seaside town. We were happy and we bought our home with the intention of it being our forever home. It was a wonderful time. We had our kids here. My wife doesn't have many friends and finds it hard to make them. Her family doesn't live close by. Over time, her happiness has waned and in turn makes my kids not want to be here as well. I feel outnumbered. I know most people reading this are thinking "what a selfish jerk, it's all about you isn't it?" and that "family must always come first" and i should sacrifice everything for them. I'm willing to do that, family does come first and they deserve to be happy, but just the thought of uprooting and moving away from my very close circle of friends and all the things that i love to do is making me feel completely dead inside. Sure i could get counseling to help with the change after it's happened, but i don't know how long i will be able to keep up the facade that i'm fine & everything is okay . On the other hand, if i hold my ground & attempt to keep everyone here, there's a chance it will put strain on my Marriage and my young family will be miserable & everything will fall apart anyway. Sometimes i feel like i could just turn and walk away from my family and be happy on my own. But i know that's just my mental state completely taking over and getting the better of me. I do love my wife and family & i know that's not even thinking straight, but i do get those thoughts when i'm at my lowest So i feel like it's a no win situation at the moment. Talking it over with my wife immediately gets my stomach in knots and i feel an immeasurable amount of sorrow and despair, to the point of feeling nauseous and on the verge of a panic attack. If anyone has any advice to give,or words of comfort, or anything i would appreciate it. Even if it's just to feel better for a while.

jack0194 fear of driving Or Social Anxiety?
  • replies: 13

I'm not too sure exactly what's going on, to be honest. All I know is that sometimes I get random bouts of Anxiety either over nothing or over something really small that may have happened. Originally I used to have a more general fear of driving alt... View more

I'm not too sure exactly what's going on, to be honest. All I know is that sometimes I get random bouts of Anxiety either over nothing or over something really small that may have happened. Originally I used to have a more general fear of driving altogether. I used to think I would most likely slam my foot on the accelerator and cause an accident. But these days I find driving like riding a bike. Unless... I'm driving somewhere I've never been, I have to go in very heavy traffic or a very long distance (On a highway) Basically, since I've had my licence I've: Never been on a highway and hardly driven in very heavy traffic To be honest, the idea of driving on a high doesn't worry me that much, I feel like it's one of those things where once you have done it, it will be pretty easy to do. I worry more about driving all the way to the city for work and not getting a park. So basically what I'm getting at Is this more a social anxiety thing? Or fear of driving?

BabySteps Male Irritation
  • replies: 1

I get this Insecurity to look at Google Images of Justin Bieber or Harry Styles, or Alpha Male High School Kid's for 8 Years Ago. I could get Bullied by my Dad's Friend, If He wanted to Say something to me, I get Toxically Labeled as Shy for wanting ... View more

I get this Insecurity to look at Google Images of Justin Bieber or Harry Styles, or Alpha Male High School Kid's for 8 Years Ago. I could get Bullied by my Dad's Friend, If He wanted to Say something to me, I get Toxically Labeled as Shy for wanting to Reserve from Socially defending myself to Risk Emasculation or Oppression or Violence, If even You always feel In Comparison beneath your Generation and the Baby Boomber Or needing to defend yourself, as not being Homosexual because your a Celibate Incel Virgin

Catie_Rose Anxiety all day and not eating
  • replies: 14

Hi everyone I’m at the end of my rope. I have suffered anxiety and health anxiety for over 20 years but the last 6 months has been terrible I’ve lost 8kg in 6 weeks and don’t want to eat I’m just at a loss I don’t have panic attacks I just feel rotte... View more

Hi everyone I’m at the end of my rope. I have suffered anxiety and health anxiety for over 20 years but the last 6 months has been terrible I’ve lost 8kg in 6 weeks and don’t want to eat I’m just at a loss I don’t have panic attacks I just feel rotten all day like vague and yuck it’s so hard to explain I just want to be well

PsychedelicFur What about if my life stays this lonely FOREVER?
  • replies: 4

Hey there, I’m dealing.. with so much loneliness at the moment. Recently, a little over a month ago I was diagnosed, by my psychologist, with High functioning autism and BDD (Body Dysmorphic Disorder) which in a way was very much a relief. Because no... View more

Hey there, I’m dealing.. with so much loneliness at the moment. Recently, a little over a month ago I was diagnosed, by my psychologist, with High functioning autism and BDD (Body Dysmorphic Disorder) which in a way was very much a relief. Because now I can pinpoint what is ‘wrong’ with me in a way. And I can understand that my thoughts about my body are sometimes distorted and very intrusive due to the BDD. However, I’m writing this thread to say that I’m so lonely and will it be like this FOREVER? I’m in a course with people who really don’t get me. I feel alienated, isolated and so so so a lone. These people don’t seem to understand me because I’m perceived as different and they seem to avoid me because of it. It really sucks because I have never had a ‘best friend’ unless it was someone who wanted to manipulate, groom or use me in the past. And what about if I never meet my tribe? What about if I am always this lonely? Like I want friends. I want to be able to go out with friends and do normal things like drink, go to gigs etc. I am feeling so overwhelmed with my thoughts.

44Max44 Starting new job, very anxious
  • replies: 3

So I go in for my first shift at my new job today and I'm really anxious about it. It's not my first time working at a job, by at my other jobs I had friends working there that could show me the ropes so I felt a lot less anxious. Without going into ... View more

So I go in for my first shift at my new job today and I'm really anxious about it. It's not my first time working at a job, by at my other jobs I had friends working there that could show me the ropes so I felt a lot less anxious. Without going into too much detail, I applied for a job where I thought would involve me being at the store after hours and not having to interact with customers, but after getting to the interview and being offered the job I was told that I'd actually have to be in the store during working hours when customers are there. I don't have to directly interact with them but there is a possibility that one comes up to me and asks a question. The one thing I'm thankful for is that I get to wear whatever clothes I like to the job so to everyone else in the store I'd just look like a regular customer and not an employee which should cut down the interactions a lot. I'm anxious because I'm very introverted and don't like interacting with people and I'm worried I'll mess something up in the job or maybe get a complaint because of lack of communication skills or something. I don't know. Does anyone have any tips for starting at new workplaces? Any advice is appreciated. Thank you

elle64 struggling to recognise an unhealthy body perception
  • replies: 4

hi, this is my second forum here. i am writing to express my problem in recognising how badly my thinking towards my body and my eating habits has developed. my friend has been telling me everything i am doing is unhealthy, and up until now i've thou... View more

hi, this is my second forum here. i am writing to express my problem in recognising how badly my thinking towards my body and my eating habits has developed. my friend has been telling me everything i am doing is unhealthy, and up until now i've thought of my obsessive strategies related to food merely being based off a diet. now i can't lie and say i'm not aware of this growing infatuation with feeling skinny and achieving the standard and conventional appearance that i deem normal. i realise that my actions towards improving my body are suspicious and my friends have certainly not been turning a blind eye towards it. i think the scariest thing is that i know if a teacher at my school heard the way i talk about myself and the constant conversations revolving around calories and exercise that i think sound colloquial, they would immediately spot a red flag and would suggest the risk of developing something dangerous. at the end of the day, i am ultimately struggling to recognise the danger of what i am doing, yet i know if i was to talk this casually about it in a schooling or homely environment, it would draw drastic concern.

Autumn77 Self help books
  • replies: 5

Hi all, I've been off this sight for awhile and proud to say I've been doing really well. Reduced and discontinued most medications and been able to be strong enough to deal (?) with my anxiety...overthinking...worrying mind. Its been a year now, and... View more

Hi all, I've been off this sight for awhile and proud to say I've been doing really well. Reduced and discontinued most medications and been able to be strong enough to deal (?) with my anxiety...overthinking...worrying mind. Its been a year now, and so far this is what has happened. I've started a new relationship about 6 months ago...and still trying to feel absolutely comfortable around him. I still find it hard to show my whole self...and be completely open. And, I've just started a new job. So as you can see, I've gone through a few changes in the last 6 months and I would prefer not to return to my medications or the crutch as I like to call it. And I'm really looking for some great recommendations on some reading material. I've always loved self help books and did read them a lot in the past. Thanks for your help guys. Looking forward to your replies. Annie 🥰

TheWookie Pretty sure I have screwed up.
  • replies: 7

Just got back from my psychologist appointment. I have been antsy all week about it, and pretty wound up the last few days, because we were all set to induce the panic attacks using hyperventilation. Breathing is a trigger of mine. And once in a pani... View more

Just got back from my psychologist appointment. I have been antsy all week about it, and pretty wound up the last few days, because we were all set to induce the panic attacks using hyperventilation. Breathing is a trigger of mine. And once in a panic we were using EMDR therapy to work towards ACT (acceptance and commitment therapy). So yeah I am kind of really drained and weirded out at the moment. Anyhow... I have my friend, the only person I have actual contact with, who is also my carer. We were introduced through a st vinnies program called Compère about 8 years ago. He is pretty much my only friend and support person. I have been seeing this psychologist for about 18 months now, and have had my friend in the session with me. As I have pretty chronic anxiety and agoraphobia he drives me to the sessions. I also have lived in his backyard in a converted pool house flat for 4 years just about. He is about the only person, family included, who has been there and been help to me over the time we have known each other. He has personal knowledge of depression and has had a panic on a plane previously so knows the depth of that fright. And I included him in the sessions as it is him who would take me to shops or appointments etc, out in public. So he could talk to my psych about support methods and such. He also has chronic pain and other health issues, and has not been in a good place himself for a long time now. I understand that, and have tried to not trouble him as ,ich with my own garbage. So. The point of this post. I have gotten a lot better at coping with the thoughts and sensations I get which would once have triggered a full panic. I know a lot of what comes out of me, thoughts and comments, are negative. I have a bad habit of setting myself up to fail. Like if we went for a walk around the block I would usually have an anxiety attack most of the way and I would try and prepare for that, but that came across as setting myself up for failure. I feel like I have failed if I am not able to do something without an attack. And the majority of what I say, I can’t breathe, I am going to die, am I breathing okay, my pulse is wrong etc etc is all repetitive. Regardless of whether I had done the same walk the day before, I will still come out with the same questions and comments etc. I know for a fact that is frustrating. And must be highly frustrating to hear the same thing again and again. Today, while in a panic, i barked back at him. I screwed up.