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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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Fullofthoughts Hypochondria is ruining my life
  • replies: 1

Im a 20 year old girl who has struggled with health anxiety for years. It all comes from growing up with a chronically ill sister who had frequent hospital/doctor visits and I nearly lost her, my dad had appendicitis in his 20s, and my mums side of t... View more

Im a 20 year old girl who has struggled with health anxiety for years. It all comes from growing up with a chronically ill sister who had frequent hospital/doctor visits and I nearly lost her, my dad had appendicitis in his 20s, and my mums side of the family has a history of vascular/cardiovascular and gut issues. My entire teen years was surrounded by medical stuff and it’s gotten so bad that its on my mind 24/7 and interrupting my university studies, my social life (which I don’t really have) and I constantly seek assurance from my family and they’ve grown fed up with me over the past years. the worst part of it all is that maybe all my worst fears will come true because even though I’m 20, I don’t even know how to look after myself. Even though I’ve improved my diet recently and have been doing morning stretches, I still feel worried. I try to meditate and focus on the present, but I’m worried. Im worried about my period/reproductive health but I don’t even track my cycles because a girl told me that she got cancer in her reproductive system while she was studying for university and she was completely unaware of it. I’m worried that all the crappy foods I ate before I turned 20 will bite me in the ass in the future, I read that people who eat crappy foods are more likely to develop illnesses in their digestive systems. I’m worried that all this stress and anxiety will make me live a shorter life because of its effects on blood vessels and the heart and I read that stressed people are more likely to get an illness/die early. Im worried about dying in my sleep. I’m worried about getting a serious illness. I’m worried about having an illness right now and it me not noticing it’s there and before I know it it’s too late. And don’t ask me to look up my symptoms- doing so has ruined my entire life and distorted my perception of my body and health. I’m now scared of what to eat, what to touch, what to do. I’m just terrified and afraid that I’ll end up sick and ill like my sister. This anxiety speeds up my perception of time and I’m scared of getting older and being st risk of more illnesses. I still live my parents and I’m scared of moving out because how will I know if something is wrong with me if my anxiety has distorted my view of my health so much and I get misdiagnosed? I’m just sick of all this fear. It’s ruining my life, my studies, my relationships, my perception of myself, my health.

Worriedmum Worried mum
  • replies: 2

My almost 16yo daughter is suffering anxiety. I have taken her to our GP who didn’t really address the anxiety even though after questions stated she scored high for anxiety, depression and stress.My daughter has admitted to having an eating disorder... View more

My almost 16yo daughter is suffering anxiety. I have taken her to our GP who didn’t really address the anxiety even though after questions stated she scored high for anxiety, depression and stress.My daughter has admitted to having an eating disorder(restrictive intake) and is seeing someone about this. Slowly making progress. I don’t know how to deal with this anxiety problem. I’ve tried to get her to focus on things she enjoys, focus on her breathing, control her thoughts etc but gets herself into a state where she thinks she’s going to suffer a medical emergency because she feels unwell when the anxiety strikes. I don’t know what to do to help her through this.. should I be seeking another medical opinion? Pushing for medication? I really don’t know

Ava Neighbour Deliberately Upsetting Me
  • replies: 5

Hi,This is my first post. I moved into my first ‘own’ home just over 2 years ago and our neighbours were really friendly we got along great but their dog barking was always an issue. It was getting really bad, waking us all up at 5am, barking all day... View more

Hi,This is my first post. I moved into my first ‘own’ home just over 2 years ago and our neighbours were really friendly we got along great but their dog barking was always an issue. It was getting really bad, waking us all up at 5am, barking all day for people who were home and some of us were having serious health issues and high anxiety. I sent him a message, a very polite and nice message saying he may not be aware that his dog barks when he’s not home but it is causing us stress when we are having health issues. He blocked me on messenger, closes his garage door when I am out the front and he has started using power tools nearly 7 days a week with his garage door open which is right next to my bedroom window. He starts as soon as he gets home from work and on weekends. He also plays music more often and louder. It seems he is trying to upset me. Now I am separated after FV and suffering severe depression and anxiety and think I have to sell my house because of him. I have had 2 DV marriages and I am afraid of him and afraid to go out the front of my own home. I don’t know what to do. I don’t want him to win over me but I don’t have anything in me to fight this.

John2502 Paranoid
  • replies: 5

does anyone feel paranoid when anxious? everyone is looking at you or talking about you.thanks

does anyone feel paranoid when anxious? everyone is looking at you or talking about you.thanks

Guest_2496 phobia around blood pressure !
  • replies: 40

Hi all I started a thread a when I first came on here called 'can't relax' but even then I didn't mention one of my biggest issues. I have a phobia around blood pressure. I don't even like saying it or seeing it written! but I had to put it in this t... View more

Hi all I started a thread a when I first came on here called 'can't relax' but even then I didn't mention one of my biggest issues. I have a phobia around blood pressure. I don't even like saying it or seeing it written! but I had to put it in this thread title to see if anyone can relate / advise. I get so anxious when the dr is going to take it that it's always high and so it got to a point last year where she encouraged me to take it myself at home, and by doing that we were able to decrease the meds I was on for high bp. (dr says I have 'significant white coat syndrome) Anyway I haven't taken it for ages as it still makes me anxious even doing it myself and meanwhile had put on some weight and spend a lot of time worrying about my bp. I am seeing a psychologist and while I mentioned this in my first appointment we haven't really addressed it so I'll bring it up next week cos it's clearly a) obviously not going away by itself (the worry about it) and b) quite a big worry at the moment. I know I need to talk to her, lose weight and walk more, and take it more regularly. Anyone dealt with any like this ridiculous phobia?!?

Chloe90 When do you know it’s time to change meds
  • replies: 5

Hi Fam, How do you genuinely know if you need to change your medication or if you’re just having a ‘setback’. I’m on medication and have been for several years. Like how does one measure if there medication is working or if it’s stopped. Drs I’ve spo... View more

Hi Fam, How do you genuinely know if you need to change your medication or if you’re just having a ‘setback’. I’m on medication and have been for several years. Like how does one measure if there medication is working or if it’s stopped. Drs I’ve spoken to just resort straight to new medication but it would be hell changing at this stage, I have a government job and I’m scared I’m going to lose it. I haven’t been able to go to work this week due to anxiety. Honestly it feels like I’ve pulled a muscle in my chest from how bad the anxiety is. I’m in a constant state of fight or flight, not flushes, nausea. I don’t even understand what is happening. Has anyone bitten the bullet and changed meds and it’s worked OR have you changed meds and still end up in the same situation. I’ve tried to rebook my dr and can’t get in for 2 weeks which is just great Any advice or success stories would be so appreciated to help me get through this. love and light

mimikkyu regarding anxiety again
  • replies: 3

ive been so worried about my health recently. whenever i get even the slightest ache in my chest, my anxiety dials it up to “youre gonna have a heart attack and die right here” or “something is wrong you might be hospitalized” and it really makes eve... View more

ive been so worried about my health recently. whenever i get even the slightest ache in my chest, my anxiety dials it up to “youre gonna have a heart attack and die right here” or “something is wrong you might be hospitalized” and it really makes everything worse. im constantly checking my pulse, massaging my chest, anything to convince myself im fine. im perfectly healthly, as i had a checkup not too long ago, but it still doesnt stop the anxieties creeping in. my parents say im fine, and that does help for the moment, but a bit later i sometimes am thinking the same things again. it really sucks, and i dont know how to deal with it. im a christian, and im constantly worrying that im not good enough and im not doing enough for God, and i hate how it makes me feel. it borderline ruins my day, because i then think that i’ll never get to live with him in heaven. im also scared of there being no god or eternal life in heaven, and just dying and never having another coherent thought or doing anything meaningful. it scares me that i’ll either die, and never know, or i’ll be living for eternity in heaven forever and ever. i dont know how to discuss this with my dad, and i am not sure how to improve myself and be more christian. it bugs me everyday, how i constantly worry about my health, and worry over whether i’ll die and never wake up or wake up in heaven. it makes me feel sick sometimes, and occasionally it makes me feel sad and depressed, but i dont how to bring this all up with either my parents or my therapist. what do i do?

Chloe90 Adulting with Anxiety
  • replies: 8

The last couple of days have been really hard. I don’t know why I’m having anxiety whether it’s stress induced and not realising I thought I was handling everything well. My grandma died this year, then my mum had surgery and whilst I thought I handl... View more

The last couple of days have been really hard. I don’t know why I’m having anxiety whether it’s stress induced and not realising I thought I was handling everything well. My grandma died this year, then my mum had surgery and whilst I thought I handled that well I’m not sure because now I’m riddled with anxiety. My chest is tight, my heart hurts. So over fighting this. I’ve been medicated for over 10yrs and for the most part my anxiety is manageable but at the moment it’s out of control. Does anyone else get this? Any ideas?Many thanks Chloe x

ResilientBear Catastrophising OCD: Tips & Question
  • replies: 4

Struggling immensely. I'm going to just touch on the topic because I'd like to dive straight in but will likely prevent anyone from sharing some helpful words. Question below.Let's start with the following: (IF you're not feeling like doing any of th... View more

Struggling immensely. I'm going to just touch on the topic because I'd like to dive straight in but will likely prevent anyone from sharing some helpful words. Question below.Let's start with the following: (IF you're not feeling like doing any of the below then start small, trust that it helps as this has helped me from what my psychologist terms "a really severe dose of OCD"):Think "protect my energy" where you feel burnt out or overwhelmed or interacting with people who cannot empathise. Then, where possible, go and take the 20 minutes doing something "selfish" like having a cup of tea in silence and try to build up to regularlyThese are all going to sound hard, it's definitely not easy but one small start is better to be 5% closer to feeling better than not e.g. journal for 10 minutes.allowing yourself space and time from various stressors such as the above with the cup of tea. Either way, I'm not sure the above made sense.Question: I'd really like to know how someone with severe catastrophising anxiety/OCD and someone whose catastrophised & critiqued nearly each step recently under high anxiety setting has gotten by? e.g. It's been tense unravelling childhood traumas, then experiencing a psychotic break and now moving straight to another place after returning home and on new medications.Things that have helped: space from stress, taking time to meditate & protecting my energy from family etc. ~ Thank you where possible for caring ~

Jonspencer12 Experiencing Extreme Anxiety for two weeks
  • replies: 16

Hi There, I’m scared. For two weeks I have had horrible anxiety and can’t sleep and find it hard to eat. I’m a head of a department at my job. I have brain fog so bad I can barely remember things. I’m now on medication for the last two weeks but it’s... View more

Hi There, I’m scared. For two weeks I have had horrible anxiety and can’t sleep and find it hard to eat. I’m a head of a department at my job. I have brain fog so bad I can barely remember things. I’m now on medication for the last two weeks but it’s not working yet. I have a daughter part time and I’m a single parent. I keep scraping through each day trying to just keep making it. I’m frightened and I catastrophise daily. My parents are supportive but not close by. The doctor gave me some sleeping tablets which help a bit. Each day I wake up is the same though. I wanted to reach out to others for support as I could just use it right now. I have dealt with GAD for 25 years, mostly with meds. I cycled down appropriately over many months and was feeling great for 8 months. Then it it just all of a sudden hit me two weeks ago. I will never go off again.