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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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decibelx Help! Anxiety and depression have led me to alcoholism and its accompanying health problems
  • replies: 8

I've been drinking for roughly 10 years due to depression caused by my panic disorder. Became an alcoholic about halfway in. I would say my alcohol dependency is pretty strong as I used it to self-medicate instead of going on antidepressants. Last we... View more

I've been drinking for roughly 10 years due to depression caused by my panic disorder. Became an alcoholic about halfway in. I would say my alcohol dependency is pretty strong as I used it to self-medicate instead of going on antidepressants. Last weekend I went on a bender and my liver has been sore since. I've not felt this dull pain under my rib cage for a long time; the last time was in 2017. It went away after a couple of days back then. Due to this, I've stopped drinking for two days now. At what point do I take myself to see the doctor?

44Max44 Update on my health anxiety situation
  • replies: 2

Hi, I used to come on these forums almost every day for support with my anxiety and mainly my health anxiety, but haven't posted in quite a few months. This is because I've actually improved quite a lot, and I'd like to share my progress with all of ... View more

Hi, I used to come on these forums almost every day for support with my anxiety and mainly my health anxiety, but haven't posted in quite a few months. This is because I've actually improved quite a lot, and I'd like to share my progress with all of you to show you that you can overcome your anxiety with time and patience. I used to suffer from Health Anxiety pretty bad, I was in constant worry over my health, I'd be hyper-focusing on symptoms which amplified them and made them seem much worse than they actually were, and any time I felt any sort of sensation I'd overanalyze it and instantly assume the worse. I was very miserable and couldn't see any light at the end of the tunnel, it really was the most miserable I've ever been in my entire life and I hated it. I established myself on the forums and made it my mission to not only find ways to help myself but to use all my knowledge I accumulated over my time on the forums and through my own experiences to help other people. By far the thing that helped me the most was CBT or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. To majorly oversimplify it, I pretty much taught myself not to freak out and instantly assume the worst every time I experienced an unusual sensation or symptom, and taught myself to think logically during these high-stress situations. Another huge help was 'The Anxiety Guy' on YouTube, he may not be for everyone, but his videos helped me out a tonne when I was super stressed and freaking out about my health. It took me quite a few months of practicing CBT techniques to see improvements, but I eventually got there. It was almost as if one day I just stopped checking for symptoms, and then didn't check them the next day, or the next, or the next, and then before I knew it I had gone a week without checking for symptoms or worrying about my health, and could finally go on with my life. I still struggle with health worries from time to time, but I don't let those worries spiral out of control and overcome me anymore. In a way, health anxiety actually helped me. It prompted me to ditch a bunch of unhealthy habits such as smoking, drinking soda every day, eating a whole lot of junk food, among other things. If it wasn't for my run-in with health anxiety, I'm confident that I'd still have those bad habits and would actually be a whole lot less healthy than I am now. Anyways, I just wanted to make this post to show people that you can beat health anxiety. If I could, you can too. All the best, Max

gucia6 Social anxiety or something else?
  • replies: 9

Hi everyone, Generally I am craving for being among people, but lack social skills allowing me to get closer. Whenever I meet someone, I am terrified, my mind goes blank. And this moves to "what-should-I-say-now,what-should-I-say-now", "they probably... View more

Hi everyone, Generally I am craving for being among people, but lack social skills allowing me to get closer. Whenever I meet someone, I am terrified, my mind goes blank. And this moves to "what-should-I-say-now,what-should-I-say-now", "they probably think I am boring/cold/rude", "oh,this is so awkward", "what if they think I am not worthy talking to anymore?" etc. I need a moment to get used to them and realize that they are not going to eat me and I can actually talk to them (if they are still there of course). During parties I am the listener and observer, and I need someone safe (usually my husband) to be beside me to feel comfortable. I am also OK speaking in front of people, as long as I am prepared. But any change of agenda and if I have to answer sudden questions I get light-headed, dry throat, go bright red, my heart wants to beat itself out of my chest, and really just want to turn around and run away. But the real problem is this horrible fear of being left out, not fully accepted, never being invited to share time with those people I care about. In the past, I preferred just to leave thinking that I am not good enough for them to accept me. Once I was openly pushed away from a group, because I was the target of bullying, and they didn't want to have trouble because of me. Back then I already shut myself out and I didn't bother. I volunteer in the community, I thought I got somehow close to couple of people and even thou the progress is really slow, I was OK with it. But recently one person from 'my' group was moving so I offered my help, but was told they have enough helpers. After that this person started discussing plan of action for the moving day with two others from 'my' group. This completely kicked me off balance. I don't think it was intentional, as I can feel I am liked and respected. And well, I know it is slow and the necessary closeness has not bloom yet, but still it hurts as hell. Later at home I ended up in teary mess. I wanted to scream "What did I do wrong?", "Why am I being treated so different if we all started the volunteering at the same time?", "it's so unfair", etc. After calming down I started being angry at them. But this I can handle. I will not jump out at them, I know I suck big time when it comes to socializing. But I am learning how to improve. The thing I am in need now is rather how to cope with this overwhelming pain of rejection, disappointment and how to prevent pushing them away due to my upset condition.

Trexemillion Feeling Restless and Spaced Out!! But Also Energetic?
  • replies: 2

For a few months I've been experiencing anxious symptoms from tightness in the chest to rapid breathing, Which I have experienced before through panic attacks and stress, but the biggest problem I'm having is feeling exhausted and zoned out with a bi... View more

For a few months I've been experiencing anxious symptoms from tightness in the chest to rapid breathing, Which I have experienced before through panic attacks and stress, but the biggest problem I'm having is feeling exhausted and zoned out with a big dose adrenaline fueling my body/brain. It feels as if I'm walking around on auto pilot but also like I'm going a million miles all day/night. I'm also noticing a hightened level of emotions from happy to sad to angry and they can get erratic at times peaking randomly. I feel as though so much is happening in me and I'm not catching up or vis versa. Which then makes me feel overwhelmed. I do work in retail and with these times I understand that could be urging these anxious feelings but am I alone in feeling like this? Is anybody else feeling this anxious, energised and exhausted feelings mashed together?

Mitch_Master_Mike Multiple head sensations from anxiety - reaching out for help
  • replies: 3

Hi friends, The last 3 years I've been getting a series of strange head sensations, They generally stay for 6-9 months then stop for a few months only to return after being triggered by organic sensations similar (a head cold or over tired). It makes... View more

Hi friends, The last 3 years I've been getting a series of strange head sensations, They generally stay for 6-9 months then stop for a few months only to return after being triggered by organic sensations similar (a head cold or over tired). It makes me feel like i'm going to faint or 'check out' when i'm speaking to people face to face and makes driving difficult and unsafe plus generally feeling not ‘with it’ 24/7. Caffeine brings on the sensation 10x harder, even little doses like in painkillers affect me. After the first belt of this and after many inconclusive doctors visits and MRI scans i spoke to a friend who also suffers from anxiety and said it is probably adrenaline being produced in excess which is causing the problem due to anxiety. It actually helped, went from a 8/10 to a 3/10 after a few days of trying to process this theory. Problem is I can't shake it..Everytime i get a trigger (cold or over tired) it comes back. I'm reaching out to anybody who has had anything similar to this or may be able to help. I can't find anything that ticks all the boxes online. After speaking to health professionals nothing has been resolved, nobody knows what it is exactly which makes me feel increasingly anxious and depression is starting to set in. It's starting to drive me crazy not to know what is wrong with me. Symptoms: Heavy eyes Eyes sensitive to light Ears ringing ‘Gassy’ feeling in head Slight off balance 20 frames per second behind (based on a study saying 110 fps is standard) normal life speed Constantly tired Spaced out feeling (almost like being stoned) Hard to focus long distances If anyone has any input big or small it would be appreciated. Thanks! MMM

Roogirl14 Feeling anxious and lonely. Can't sleep, crying and my chest is tight
  • replies: 4

I have done something really stupid and I am very angry with myself. I have let my work colleagues and bosses down. I have apologised so many times but they dont believe me. I love the place I work at but they think I am a bad person now. I am very a... View more

I have done something really stupid and I am very angry with myself. I have let my work colleagues and bosses down. I have apologised so many times but they dont believe me. I love the place I work at but they think I am a bad person now. I am very anxious about going to work tomorrow and feel like a failure. I am seeing my daughter today but I don't want to tell her what I have done. I live alone and have no one to talk to. Everytime I close my eyes the words just repeat through my head. Hence no sleep. O don't know what to do and feel like I am worthless. HELP

Sam2019 Desperate for help
  • replies: 5

I have been living a life of hell for almost a year. It all started off after coming back from a trip. I was stressed before hand and stressed during and I came back almost to a break down. I've had the following 1- Extreme fatigue since august last ... View more

I have been living a life of hell for almost a year. It all started off after coming back from a trip. I was stressed before hand and stressed during and I came back almost to a break down. I've had the following 1- Extreme fatigue since august last year to the point where I need to sleep all day 2- I've ended up with a million different tests thinking I've contracted a virus. Nothing keeps showing up. 3- I developed massive ectopic beats almost 1500 a day confirmed by holter which sent me into a new panic and more testing. Heart MRI's stress tests etc... all again normal and no explanation for the extra beats. 4- I developed intolerance to standing up. MY heart just races when I stand and the ectopics go nuts. 5- Recently I've started with twitching everywhere especially my legs. They will not stop from the knees down. Its been this way for month now. 6- I then started to get internal vibrations whilst asleep in bed. I haven't had a proper night sleep in weeks. I just feel like my legs and body is trembling as soon as I start to doze off. 7- Now I have tinnitus in ears almost daily and wont stop. 8- I've been to 2 neurologist thinking and convinced I have ALS (motor neuron disease) from all the twitching. 9- I've started to notice my left calf muscle where all the twitching is is smaller than my right and this sent me into a total spiral drive about the above ALS issue, I'm waiting to get further testing to prove what it is. 10- I wake up every morning measuring the size of my calf for atrophy and I'm too scared to walk or run incase I feel weakness in one which will totally destroy me. My mind is just going in circles all day. From ecoptics, to twitching, to tinnitus then I go back to ectopics and the loop goes over and over. The fatigue is almost debilitating. doctors think t's all health anxiety and a breakdown caused by stress so they threw benzos at me. I took them for a few days by the symptoms did not go away. this sent me even more into a mental break down because I'm thinking in my head if thebenzos didn't help then there must be something seriously wrong ! I've seen a couple of phycologist who are all trying this CBT stuff but my brain just sees the physical symptoms and is basically telling itself you're too smart to be tricked by CBT. I'm lost at the moment !the only think I'm able to do is dull the fatigue and symptoms with alcohol for brief periods of time to get me through the day Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

constantoverthinker new to this, does anyone get weird bowel movements?
  • replies: 15

hey guys, first time here and thought id seek some others out there.. does anyone get weird bowel movements with anxiety? like doing 2 or more poos a day and get random pain but think it is something drastic when its in your head? i hope this makes s... View more

hey guys, first time here and thought id seek some others out there.. does anyone get weird bowel movements with anxiety? like doing 2 or more poos a day and get random pain but think it is something drastic when its in your head? i hope this makes sense?

Whatsinaname Unworthy - Is this my anxiety
  • replies: 4

Hi everyone, I've been contemplating this for awhile now and was wondering if anyone else has the same feelings. I am blessed with a happy health son and just found out I have a daughter on the way. I have a good job, that pays well, and they know ab... View more

Hi everyone, I've been contemplating this for awhile now and was wondering if anyone else has the same feelings. I am blessed with a happy health son and just found out I have a daughter on the way. I have a good job, that pays well, and they know about my mental health issues and are very understanding about it. Married to the love of my life, we have had our ups and downs but ups definitely out weight the downs. We are currently building our dream home, which going to look amazing. What I can't seem to shake is that I don't feel worth of it all. Not only in the sense that it's unbelievable that these things are working out, but am I out side of my true self. I grew up with very little money, but loving parents, and now find myself quite comfortable (which is amazing in the current state of our economy) and can't shake the fact that I don't think I fit this mold. Like an impostor almost. I have, and continue to, work very hard for everything we have. Am I chasing a dream that isn't mine though.. Anyway, happy to hear peoples thoughts/stories. Thanks as always,

Redd Post Panic Attack Breathing Difficulties
  • replies: 2

Hi all. Around 5am on Monday I woke up to a sudden panic attack in my sleep and went to hospital completely unaware of what was going on (thought I was having a heart attack and shook so hard I couldn't walk). There was no signs of anything wrong wit... View more

Hi all. Around 5am on Monday I woke up to a sudden panic attack in my sleep and went to hospital completely unaware of what was going on (thought I was having a heart attack and shook so hard I couldn't walk). There was no signs of anything wrong with me and it was ruled down to panic, albeit inconclusive results. Ever since then, from the moment I wake up I am completely short of breath, tense in the chest and haven't been able to sleep in fear of having another attack. As I write this, I am absolutely exhausted but unable to fall asleep without receiving a sudden jolt as if I can't breathe. In fact, I think I've otherbreathed so much I've thrown my whole body out of wack and I don't know if practicing deep breathing has only made matters worse. I have never had anxiety or depression in my life. I'm as chipper as they come but, even when I'm in a good mood, I still can't shake this off. Every night I get the muscle spasms, cold sweating and insomnia, and I'm worried this will never go away or allow me to go back to living my life. Right now, I would just like to speak to someone who can tell me what I have and what I should do so I can at least know I'm doing the right thing. It's pretty terrifying to be left alone with this and worse what it means for the future.