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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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Blake_Arius Finding work in the apolcalypse
  • replies: 4

I've been suffering social anxiety a while now. Due in part to the lack of work I've had over the last 2 years... it's been a terrible run. I work as a graphic designer but my work history in print and disc media is practically dead in the face of mo... View more

I've been suffering social anxiety a while now. Due in part to the lack of work I've had over the last 2 years... it's been a terrible run. I work as a graphic designer but my work history in print and disc media is practically dead in the face of mobile and UI. It got bad so I got help and counseling.. built myself back up, started networking and finding a few small freelance projects.. and then the pandemic hit. It's like everything I've been trying to break away from is suddenly the procedure for dealing with this virus. I've felt isolated for at least 2 years and now I'm supposed to social isolate for the next 6 months. It's really messing with me in that I just don't know how to move forward anymore. I feel like I'm a constant war between wanting to break out of this shell while also being to paranoid to leave it. If anyone has any suggestions on what to do I'm all ears.

BrokenDreamer Overwhelming anxiety is too much
  • replies: 8

Hi. I'm new. I've joined because I've just fallen into a mental state I've never experienced before. I've had generalised anxiety for a long time, but recently I was triggered into a state of excessive anxiety that is more than I can deal with. I'm s... View more

Hi. I'm new. I've joined because I've just fallen into a mental state I've never experienced before. I've had generalised anxiety for a long time, but recently I was triggered into a state of excessive anxiety that is more than I can deal with. I'm sick, I can eat, I can't sleep... I listen to guided relaxations but my heart won't stop thumping and my mind constantly jumps to thoughts that drive my anxiety up. I wake up at 2am with heart palpitations. So much about anxiety talks about how it feels like there's a threat, when in fact you're safe, but I'm not safe. I have to move out of my rental in 2 days. I'm putting all my life in storage and going to couch surf at my ex husband's house (he is not a threat). I'm a 43 year old autistic mother of 2 kids with no idea what I'm going to do. I can't stay with my ex for a long time. It's only temporary. How am I supposed to calm down and function normally when my anxiety keeps erupting with every little thing that's going on in my life? I'm exhausted.

Vickish Cant shake this anxiety
  • replies: 3

Hi all, I am working at my local hospital in the food services area. Our family is usually a very tight unit. A couple of events have sparked an arguement in our household. And we are all fighting, arguing with each other. I'm usually the strong one ... View more

Hi all, I am working at my local hospital in the food services area. Our family is usually a very tight unit. A couple of events have sparked an arguement in our household. And we are all fighting, arguing with each other. I'm usually the strong one in the family I have a husband and two teenage kids. One is 19 and the other 17. These last two days, my feeling of anxiety will not leave. It is lingering all day, escalates when I am home. Dont know what to do and how to shake this feeling its awful

bluenight I feel alone, do others feel this way?
  • replies: 2

Hello everyone, I'm Josh and I live in Sydney and I work 2 jobs on a casual basis. I read a post from this site after searching loneliness and depression and felt it was a good outlet for people I started having mental health problems 20 years ago wh... View more

Hello everyone, I'm Josh and I live in Sydney and I work 2 jobs on a casual basis. I read a post from this site after searching loneliness and depression and felt it was a good outlet for people I started having mental health problems 20 years ago when I was roughly 19 years old. Looking back there were signs in my teens and high school years but I was very functional. I got a degree about a year and a half ago and I still haven't found a job whereas nearly everyone I know who has been finished that long has and even students who graduated months ago are in jobs. A lot of my anxiety happens in the workplace or in university, it's really been a barrier to finding employment and feeling like I am moving on with my life. I don't know what the solution is to get past this anymore, I've tried a lot of different things, supplements, alternative practices, all kinds of diets, exercise and I've become religious but I don't even know if I'm genuine with my religious beliefs or if i'm just lying to myself, the religious practices help me emotionally and it reduces my anxiety and depression and I feel like I am a better person. I have no friends, I pretty much live alone and the only people I really feel close to are my parents but they are dissapointed in who I've become so our relationship has been very up and down over the years. I feel very alone at times and quite often I hold little hope for my future. I just wish I could go back to being normal, like I was when I was younger. Just going to get groceries this afternoon is an effort, I usually get in and out because I feel really wound up after a 10 minute shop in Coles. I'd like to meet a nice girl and see what happens but that just doesn't feel possible with the way I'm feeling. Thoughts?

contrarymary Anxiety and Sleep - going round in circles
  • replies: 4

I often have bouts of anxiety so bad that sometimes we go and sit in the hospital car park I get stressed and tired but can't get to sleep so I lie in bed or pace the floor and this makes me for tired so I get more anxious and so it goes on Its 3.30a... View more

I often have bouts of anxiety so bad that sometimes we go and sit in the hospital car park I get stressed and tired but can't get to sleep so I lie in bed or pace the floor and this makes me for tired so I get more anxious and so it goes on Its 3.30am here but can't sleep been awake since midnight been for a drive so now sitting in carport typing this. I need to sleep I am 65 so perhaps just get overtired. Have been prescribed sleeping pills but scared to take Any ideas on how to get back on track

mbear438 Extreme fear of death (thanataphobia)
  • replies: 5

For years I've had a semi-mild fear of death. During the nights when I would overthink things in my life I'd eventually end up thinking about the inevitable -- death. When the thought of dying entered my mind, it wouldn't leave and I was left feeling... View more

For years I've had a semi-mild fear of death. During the nights when I would overthink things in my life I'd eventually end up thinking about the inevitable -- death. When the thought of dying entered my mind, it wouldn't leave and I was left feeling a strong sense of dread, panic, and fear. I would be scared of inevitably having to die, my family having to die, and what comes after death. I'm not religious in any way, so I don't believe in heaven or hell or an afterlife, no matter how much I wish I could so I would come to terms with death and put my mind at ease. Recently my "thanataphobia" or "death anxiety" has gotten so bad that the thought of death is constantly at the back of my mind. I avoid the topic of death or I burst into tears. I can't sleep and I don't feel happy anymore. I can't when I constantly feel scared of the mortality of those close to me and of my own mortality. I've reached out to friend and family but no one understands how terrified I feel. I believe that after death there is nothing. An emptiness. I just cease to exist. It's scary. I don't want to die, I don't want my family to die, my friends ... I know I'm rambling but I don't know what else to do. I came here because nothing I do helps. In fact, I burst out crying not too long ago just because of my thanataphobia. If ANYONE has any "solutions" or "coping mechanisms" that work for someone with no inherent religious beliefs then PLEASE do tell. Because I just need to feel happy again.

Jess_M anxiety within getting into a relationship
  • replies: 2

so im 15 almost 16 and this guy i like has told me he likes me too and I'm wanting to wait for all these restrictions during the pandemic to lower before i even think of getting into a relationship but I'm absolutely TERRIFIED. i have really bad soci... View more

so im 15 almost 16 and this guy i like has told me he likes me too and I'm wanting to wait for all these restrictions during the pandemic to lower before i even think of getting into a relationship but I'm absolutely TERRIFIED. i have really bad social anxiety and general anxiety as well and he knows that i am diagnosed with a few mental illnesses but i don't even know what to do. anyone got any advice?

relax16 Workplace anxiety
  • replies: 2

I recently started a new job after a couple of bad experiences with horrible people at my previous jobs. On paper the job seemed made for me. I was so excited to get it. Now it has turned me into a ball of anxiety. I am scared to start work every day... View more

I recently started a new job after a couple of bad experiences with horrible people at my previous jobs. On paper the job seemed made for me. I was so excited to get it. Now it has turned me into a ball of anxiety. I am scared to start work every day. Terrified to check emails to see what I have done wrong this time. I have just started on an SSRI and waiting for it to take affect. I was wondering if any one has any advice. If you have felt like this before what did you do to get through it? Quitting isn’t an option at the moment. I become a completely different person on weekends...enjoy myself and relax... then once the work week starts it’s early to wake ups again. I wish I could just toughen up and not take it all to heart but I feel like I can’t do anything right .

Gumtree77 Best Way To Rid Oneself of Health Anxiety!
  • replies: 3

Hi I have posted before about my health anxiety and the despair it causes me. Recently it all flared up again and I was suffering from ulcer on tongue and horrid dry burning mouth. I made an appointment to see my Doctor today and he was very terse wi... View more

Hi I have posted before about my health anxiety and the despair it causes me. Recently it all flared up again and I was suffering from ulcer on tongue and horrid dry burning mouth. I made an appointment to see my Doctor today and he was very terse with me. He basically said that I am frustrating and not taking on board the reassurances they have given me in the past. I was quite put out but on reflection am glad of it. I have written it all down so I can hopefully read what happened and try to cure myself of this vicious circle! I learnt very quickly that my mind is incredibly powerful and has 'created' these symptoms and my catastrophising is not helping. I don't know but I hope this may help others who suffer from HA. Yes it was harsh but I feel he did the best thing.

Unknown234 That heavy feeling
  • replies: 1

Everythings different now it’s not just as simple as my body weight and stuff like that it’s more I can’t explain it though. I have a really heavy feeling in my body all the time like I’m slowly drowning nothing seems to make me happy anymore. I don’... View more

Everythings different now it’s not just as simple as my body weight and stuff like that it’s more I can’t explain it though. I have a really heavy feeling in my body all the time like I’m slowly drowning nothing seems to make me happy anymore. I don’t cry anymore it’s like I have too much feelings that it’s not possible anymore. I act happier than ever cause the longer I go on the better I get at acting. I just want someone to notice me and to help but let’s be honest I’m alone and I’m never gonna get someone that will understand and appreciate the real me. I’m gonna lose someone really good again because I don’t know how to be my self I want to I really do but I don’t know how to But I could at least be the person that I show most people I just don’t want to lose another person I just hate who I am What I look like How I act I want to at least have some more Confidence I want to Yet I can’t