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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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Natalia_R Does anyone's anxiety get in the way of having fun/talking with best friends?
  • replies: 2

Hi Everyone, So I thought I'd reach out about this issue because I want to find a way to improve my situation and help out anyone else experiencing this :). Almost every time I hang out with my long time friends, I get so nervous that it interferes w... View more

Hi Everyone, So I thought I'd reach out about this issue because I want to find a way to improve my situation and help out anyone else experiencing this :). Almost every time I hang out with my long time friends, I get so nervous that it interferes with having a good time. It has nothing to do with them but the fact that I can't completely relax around the people I should be comfortable upsets me every time. It upsets me, even more, when they are conversing so effortlessly whilst I struggle to talk back and can't hold my part up. Sometimes I worry that they'll leave me because I'm not interesting enough. I also don't want them to find out I'm struggling either whilst talking. The symptoms I feel are: 1. Persistent fear while a person is talking to me 2. Consequently, I can't concentrate on what they're saying when my mind is racing because I'm too busy trying to think of a decent/witty reply ahead or god knows what. Maybe I don't want to say something stupid. 3. I also feel like I'm losing my breath whilst I'm speaking a sentence. 4. I also seem out of touch with reality, like disconnected so I can't focus or be aware enough. This may sound so weird but it's the only way I can think of conveying what I feel like at the time: It's as if a ghost of me is speaking without my physical body. Or, if I was to lie on the floor, the top layer of me is doing all the work whilst my brain feels far behind me. This is what happens every time I try to speak. Due to these factors, I often find myself agreeing or laughing because I struggle to engage in the conversation to bounce off each other's words. It may not sound too serious but it is absolutely controlling my entire being every time and I'm so sick of it. I just want to have a good time with my friends. I just want anyone to confirm if this is some part of social anxiety and WHAT CAN I DO to get rid of these feelings??? Thank you so much.

proteus_912 mental health day off work
  • replies: 4

Hello everyone. I really struggled yesterday with my anxiety to the point where I couldn't stop worrying and crying. I cried nearly all day. Today I am supposed to go into work but I really don't have the energy to go in. Is it bad to take a day off ... View more

Hello everyone. I really struggled yesterday with my anxiety to the point where I couldn't stop worrying and crying. I cried nearly all day. Today I am supposed to go into work but I really don't have the energy to go in. Is it bad to take a day off for that reason? Should I feel bad for taking the day off? Thanks everyone

OrganizedNotReally I'm new here: but bad anxiety and panic attacks brought me here. New issue and kind of scary
  • replies: 7

Hi everyone, I'm a newbie here. male in my late 30's in theory everything should be going well but I started a new career just before covid hit and now working from home with a new team and less support - my anxiety cranked up and I am having really ... View more

Hi everyone, I'm a newbie here. male in my late 30's in theory everything should be going well but I started a new career just before covid hit and now working from home with a new team and less support - my anxiety cranked up and I am having really bad panic attacks about work (whole body shakes, poor sleep, no appetite). Feeling guilty because my 6yo is at home so I am trying to help with his home schooling but my anxiety is making me feel useless (and a burden to my wife - who has been amazing, but now I think it's starting to get to her). I am starting to feel some negative thoughts about my self worth (and a whole impostor syndrome kicking in about being found out and losing the job, and all my self worth). Sorry about the ramble, but it feels right to just say it. I am taking a mild antidepressant but I don't think it's working and I've booked to see a psychiatrist as well. Feeling quite scared about how quickly this is escalating. If anyone has any tips on how to cope, I'd love to hear. Thanks for the support

imbadwithnames Anxious about everything
  • replies: 2

Hi guys! So I am 3 days into the 14 day lockdown that I got put in (hotel quarentine, moved out of Victoria) and I have really bad anxiety about literally everything. I have been living on my own for a long time, doing my own laundry, building my own... View more

Hi guys! So I am 3 days into the 14 day lockdown that I got put in (hotel quarentine, moved out of Victoria) and I have really bad anxiety about literally everything. I have been living on my own for a long time, doing my own laundry, building my own furniture, cleaning and fixing my own house, getting my own groceries ect. and I love that because it means I don't burden anyone, noone judges me and I feel so much more comfortable. But if you don't know, with the 14 day quarentine, you cannot leave the room. So people have to take your rubbish, other people do your laundry, you have to call reception to ask for help with things, and I absolutely hate it. I don't like having to rely on other people and burdoning other people, and I feel quite uncomfortable "forcing" someone else to do my laundry. I also have to place an order with Woolworths to get some stuff delivered to my room that I absolutely need (toothbrush, bathroom items that aren't provided, some snacks for between meals, ect.). However again, it needs to be delivered to reception and then they bring it up to me. I have so much anxiety about people judging what I buy from the shops, what I get delievered, what I'm wearing (when they are doing my laundry) that I'm almost not doing any of it. I know it's their job and all that, and using logic they probably really don't care what I get delivered or how much rubbish I have or how many times I call reception to ask questions, but anxiety doesn't use logic and I am anxious and really don't want to do anything that is going to burdon them. My woolworths order has been sitting on the checkout page for like an hour but I just can't bring myself to order it because I am so anxious of what the workers will think of me. But I also can't leave my room and do everything myself.

imbadwithnames I may be the most unlucky person on the planet
  • replies: 4

Hi guys! You may have seen me around a little bit, so I will just give a brief synopsis with an update. I am in a toxic abusive house and I have to be moved out by end of next week due to housemates cutting lease in the middle of a pandemic. I am mov... View more

Hi guys! You may have seen me around a little bit, so I will just give a brief synopsis with an update. I am in a toxic abusive house and I have to be moved out by end of next week due to housemates cutting lease in the middle of a pandemic. I am moving back to my home state with family who refuse to acknowledge my (diagnosed) mental disorders and have been abusive in the past. Now onto the update. I have bad swelling in one of my feet and I went to see a doctor today. She said I have (likely) blood clotting around my foot which is obviously very dangerous. So now within the next week I have to move all the things out of my room and into the removalist area, get someone to help me put unsold furniture on the curb for hard rubbish collection, pack my car up and get that taken to the removalist, book flights, quit my job, somehow get rid of all the rubbish in my room (tips are closed now for general public and my housemates keep filling the bin before I can put anything in there just to be difficult), go get a scan on my foot and a follow up with a doctor, all the while wearing a mask and following COVID protocols that are literally changing every day. I'm not sleeping well, I'm not eating well, my anxiety is through the roof every second of every day and I don't know how I am supposed to get all of this done alone. I also don't have much money (my job was a casual minimum hour shift once a week) and, with my foot, struggle to walk without being in pain. I don't know how I am going to do this and am terrified and scared of this fast arriving deadline that seems to be getting more and more anxiety inducing every day. I am trying my best to take things one day at a time but I'm really struggling with even that concept. Now with the added anxiety of possible blood clots in my foot which is very dangerous, I feel overwhelmed by anxiety and don't want to do absolutely anything at all, which is in turn making my anxiety worse because the day keeps getting closer with not much more happening.

Masked Consumed by anxiety - how do I get out?
  • replies: 11

Ive been up since 4am trying to calm myself down / self care / mindfulness / acceptance - nothing is working. Ive tried 2 helplines and cant get through. I cant even drink and I feel like im going to throw up. I have PNDA [post natal depression and a... View more

Ive been up since 4am trying to calm myself down / self care / mindfulness / acceptance - nothing is working. Ive tried 2 helplines and cant get through. I cant even drink and I feel like im going to throw up. I have PNDA [post natal depression and anxiety] plus a lot of big changes in my personal life. I am pursuing professional help. Okay just writing this all out has helped a bit. Any support out there?

moon_light I'm Suddenly Alone at School and Dying Inside
  • replies: 5

Hi! This is my first post here but I really need some advice so please tell me if I do anything wrong or if this post is only me being dramatic. I'm a Year 9 student with anxiety/OCD/depression and since beginning high school, I've been sitting with ... View more

Hi! This is my first post here but I really need some advice so please tell me if I do anything wrong or if this post is only me being dramatic. I'm a Year 9 student with anxiety/OCD/depression and since beginning high school, I've been sitting with the same friend group. I was only close friends with one of them (and my other close friend sits with a non-English speaking group) but the rest didn't mind me being there so I was fine with that. Last term though, half of the group moved schools and now the few of us that are left have all moved to other groups. I'm not comfortable enough with any of the others so I just followed my close friend to a group that she knew from her classes I'm not in. I sat with them for two days before my close friend basically told me that I was being too quiet and weird, and that I should go make other friends. My classmates are always friendly and I've tried asking some of them if I can sit with their groups, except they've all said they don't really want new people to join them. I've been crying in class sometimes whenever I remember and I have a constant empty ache in my chest/stomach which stops me from calming down and relaxing even at home. I hate how bad I feel all the time and the way that I can't do anything I used to like doing after school without being worried about tomorrow. Recently I've just been going to the library at recess and lunch then eating my food during class but it's closed one day each week. When the library is closed I try sitting with the group I followed my close friend to originally but I can tell they don't want me there. At this point, I think I might just hide in the toilet and read a book instead on that day. The truth is, I kind of enjoy being alone, I'm just worried that the other students or teachers will judge me for being some pathetic loser. I'm really hoping to study abroad next year if the borders open back up, which desperately want them to do because then I'll be gone for all of 2021 and will only have to survive Year 11 and 12 here (at least then I can pretend to be constantly studying for my HSC). My parents are very kind and supportive, but I don't want to tell them because I'm ashamed that their only child is like this. I'm really sorry for all my rambling, but does anyone know how can I find a friend group or just feel better about this entire situation?

Jmk22 Looking for some anxiety advice...
  • replies: 8

I just wanted to see if anyone out there could help me with some advice. I personally have generalised anxiety. For the most part I have it under control but as we all know bad days come and go. My husband has anxiety also. He has had this longer tha... View more

I just wanted to see if anyone out there could help me with some advice. I personally have generalised anxiety. For the most part I have it under control but as we all know bad days come and go. My husband has anxiety also. He has had this longer than I have known him and struggled with it on and off. He had a period of 6-7 years when we first met where for the most part it was under control and his medication was working for him. Now he keeps having these moments every 6-12 months where he gets terrified of going to work. The first time this happened he wouldn't go to work for 6 weeks. That was extremely hard. Since then its happened 2-3 more times but not for as long. It has ranged from a few days to a week. We are currently going through it again. He is nearly on week 3 of not going to work. He has eaten through the small bit of leave he did have. He has been in this job for over 10 years and if his boss didn't experience anxiety himself I honestly believe he would have lost his job a long time ago. I dont currently work. This was a decision that we made together and we are getting to that point in life where it's time to start thinking about a family but now this is happening again I dont know what to do. As harsh/bad as it sounds I'm losing trust in him. He will get up, get dressed and leave to go to work but then an hour later I get a text telling me he couldn't do it and he's turned around and gone to his parents house. Which is beyond frustrating. He defiantly over involves them in our lives. I'm at a loss and I dont know how to deal with it anymore. I know he can't control this but he is setting off all my fears and anxieties and affecting my mental health. If anyone could give any advice I would greatly appreciate it. I just dont know how to handle this anymore when it keeps happening over and over again.

MaddyR1 I need your help! What can I do to support my friend?
  • replies: 16

Hi everyone, I would really appreciate it if anyone who's experienced anxiety could take the time to read this and send through some advice. One of my closest friends has alluded to her struggles with anxiety, however she has a really hard time openi... View more

Hi everyone, I would really appreciate it if anyone who's experienced anxiety could take the time to read this and send through some advice. One of my closest friends has alluded to her struggles with anxiety, however she has a really hard time opening up about her feelings. On the odd occasion that she has made comments about her challenges, I think I've handled the situation poorly as I've rushed to giving advice/diagnosis (I now know NOT to do this) rather than properly listening. She lacks adequate support from her family as they have a hard time understanding mental illnesses, and so she's extremely reluctant to open up and seek help (perhaps due to a fear of judgment?) I've never had major issues with anxiety and I don't always know how to act around my friends that do have it, and so I really need advice from people who have been in my friend's situation. Here's some specific questions I have, even if you just answer one or two it would be a tremendous help. I know I can't push her into confiding in someone, but what can I do to let her know that I'm always there to talk to? If she does open up to me what are some things I should and shouldn't do? What were the things you really needed to hear from your friends when you were experiencing mental health issues? Should I suggest some resources for her, or does she need to be the one to take action?

Bones17 Feeling at a loss with my life
  • replies: 3

I recently relocated towns due to being really unhappy in my previous work as well as being unable to make meaningful connections in my outside life. I have been in my new place for just over a month and I am really enjoying my new work however, I ca... View more

I recently relocated towns due to being really unhappy in my previous work as well as being unable to make meaningful connections in my outside life. I have been in my new place for just over a month and I am really enjoying my new work however, I can't help but still feel empty inside. My anxiety levels still seem to be really high and I feel like I cannot make proper relationships with other people (no motivation to go out on a date/lack of desire to try and meet someone). I know that relationships aren't everything, however as I get older I can't help but feel I am going to be left behind. For so long my anxiety has ruled my life. It tells me I am horrible and ugly, it tells me I am unworthy and that people will judge me. I don't feel beautiful or that anyone will want to get to know the real me once they find out that I deal with this on a daily basis. I have friends that seem to care about me some of the time, but I frequently question how long they will be in my life. From previous experience people tend to leave me without warning or explanation so it's hard not to feel like I am the issue! I have tried joining a sport to find people but this has been unsuccessful in the past. As for online dating, I have been on a few dates with people but this never leads anywhere and I am at the point of just not even caring to go on the apps anymore as it feels like it will never be worth it. Have other people been able to shake this feeling? Or get past it? Or are some people just not destined to find their person? I am in the process of changing my anxiety medication to see if it will help but with that also comes its own anxiety attached to it too. Would like to hear people's thoughts and to know I am not crazy for thinking all of this? Thanks