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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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TheBigBlue Freaking out - fear of male doctors & I have an appointment tomorrow
  • replies: 9

Without going into detail, an incident with a male doctor when I was a child has resulted in a fear of male doctors well into my adulthood. I am female. My GP has now referred me to a psychiatrist as she feels a psychiatrist will be able to assess me... View more

Without going into detail, an incident with a male doctor when I was a child has resulted in a fear of male doctors well into my adulthood. I am female. My GP has now referred me to a psychiatrist as she feels a psychiatrist will be able to assess medication & doses better than she. Tonight I am really freaking out about alone in the room with a male doctor. I’ve googled him, & probably due to my anxiety have already decided I don’t like the look of him. We all know the joys of anxiety right???? I discussed my fear with the (female) psychologist in the appointment I had on Tuesday & she has given me some tips on how to prepare & what information I should consider discussing & what outcomes I am looking for. I have even resorted to asking my mother to come with me I am that terrified about it. She won’t come in the room but I feel better knowing she will be out in the waiting room. i know it’s a very last minute post, but if anyone has any advice please let me know. Thanks friends

Jitters_Jumps___Lurking_P Being lonely but too anxious and fearful to speak and hang out with others
  • replies: 4

Hello there, I don't usually like to talk about my feelings but I'm so tired of being tied down by my depression and anxiety and I would like to try something different. I have a lot going on in my head but this current thread is about loneliness. Fo... View more

Hello there, I don't usually like to talk about my feelings but I'm so tired of being tied down by my depression and anxiety and I would like to try something different. I have a lot going on in my head but this current thread is about loneliness. For such a long time I've struggled trying talk to new people and make new friends and it makes me incredibly sad and makes me loath myself even more. University has just started. I've been a student for five years and have not made any friends no matter how hard I try. I've tried joining groups and I have attended multiple events but I always feel left out... do you ever feel like you could be surrounded by people be still feel alone? There are often days where there's a party / meet -up / game night and I won't go because I feel like I'm intruding or that they only have me around out of pity - I'm worried about what they think of me but I always wonder if anyone would notice if I never turned up again. My head swirls with paranoia, negative thoughts and horrific situations that could happen. There are also days were I wish so much that I could have the courage to approach people but no matter how hard I try my anxiety always gets the best of me. I fall into a horrible cycle that I can't get myself out of. It makes me feel horrible and I feel like I'll be alone for the rest of my uni life. I don't fit in with everyone else - I feel like people avoid me and want nothing to do with me even though I haven't even done anything. Is it my looks?? I know this way of thinking isn't healthy but I can't stop it. I'm stuck and feel like I'm drowning on my on unsaid words and missed time. Could anyone help me - I don't want to feel alone anymore.

JWolf17 Moved in on-campus, my social anxiety is far worse than I thought it was
  • replies: 4

I've just moved away from home for the first time to do my Masters degree. I'm living on-campus in shared accommodation with about 7 or 8 other people living on the same floor as me. 1.5 weeks after moving in, I've found my social anxiety is severely... View more

I've just moved away from home for the first time to do my Masters degree. I'm living on-campus in shared accommodation with about 7 or 8 other people living on the same floor as me. 1.5 weeks after moving in, I've found my social anxiety is severely affecting my quality of life at my new home. I've found myself actively listening to hear if anyone is in the hallways whenever I want to leave my room, and have really struggled to leave my room for any reason if I can hear other people talking. As a result, I haven't really met anyone. I've only had one conversation with another person living on my floor. This has been really disheartening, as before the move I was really excited. I saw this as an opportunity to gain independence, to make new friends, to really live my own life for the first time. Although I've had anxiety issues in the past, I was really confident that I would be able to handle this, and that I'd really enjoy it. I thought I was better at controlling my anxiety than I am. My social anxiety has also affected my eating habits. On several occasions I've skipped out on meals because I can here people in the kitchen and the dining room from my room, and for whatever reason my brain flips out and decides that going hungry is the preferable option over cooking in the presence of other people and potentially having conversations with them. I can rationalise to myself that this isn't healthy, that the more I talk to people the easier it will get, and that talking to people will more likely end positively than negatively, but it's just not enough to push me into leaving my room. I'm worried this will send me into a downward spiral mood wise if it continues as is (I've already felt my mood fluctuating quite a lot), and that my physical health will start to decline if I continue to skip out on meals. I'm just not sure how to handle it.

M1ssjess89 Is this anxiety??
  • replies: 1

I am freaking out badly. I suddenly developed nerve issues this week. I get pins and needles in my fingers and toes on and off. I get itchy all over my body in random spots. From my head to my feet. But it's a nerve itch/tingle. I get abit of burning... View more

I am freaking out badly. I suddenly developed nerve issues this week. I get pins and needles in my fingers and toes on and off. I get itchy all over my body in random spots. From my head to my feet. But it's a nerve itch/tingle. I get abit of burning on and off in my feet. I went to a physio and i still have strength etc so she thinks its all just from anxiety. My anxiety has been the absolute roof and this made it worse. I am in constant dread this is the start of something worse. I cannot calm down. I'm seeing My regular doctor tomorrow. I have bipolar and also anxiety issues. But ive never had physical symptoms to this extent. Could this just all be from anxiety?

blank_paper Feeling confused after bushfire impacted property
  • replies: 1

Hi..My property and all of my neighbours were heavily impacted by bushfire..I still have my house...large percentage of neighbours have lost theirs. It has been 8 weeks nearly. I have been strangely calm and accepting of everything..waiting for the a... View more

Hi..My property and all of my neighbours were heavily impacted by bushfire..I still have my house...large percentage of neighbours have lost theirs. It has been 8 weeks nearly. I have been strangely calm and accepting of everything..waiting for the anxiety wave that I usually get after things happen in my life (nothing has ever happened like this) The best way I can describe it is that I feel like a blank piece of white paper. I am nervous about bringing this to life..I think because it might spiral my nerves and anxitey out of control. I am sleeping fine..until about 5am then I keep thinking about all the things I have to worry about....their is so much to deal with..and everything seems to be at a standstill..after the initial event..I was constantly busy organizing things...insurance.. getting power back on..feeding cattle etc...should I talk about it..or should I just keep a lid on my anxiety ...and wait for it to bite me in the bum further down the track LOL...I am usually very quiet person..that has always felt in control of my life - family etc. Thanks. I am actually getting a anxious feeling as I am typing this.

bananaboat05 experiencing anxiety in regards to the unknown
  • replies: 2

hi everyone, im 19 years old and ive recently been accepted into my dream uni course. im very excited for this new chapter but as im lying in bed, (the night before orientation) i begin to feel so overwhelmed by it. my heart is racing, i develop asth... View more

hi everyone, im 19 years old and ive recently been accepted into my dream uni course. im very excited for this new chapter but as im lying in bed, (the night before orientation) i begin to feel so overwhelmed by it. my heart is racing, i develop asthma attacks, i get a weird sensation in my stomach and then i just burst out crying. ive always struggled with new situations such as starting high school, starting uni, starting at a new job etc. i also struggle a lot with staying away over night from my mum however i think this stems from being hospitalised for 6 months when i was 5years old. am i the only one who struggles big time with new situations and gets worked up about the unknown?? i meditate, exercise regularly and eat well but it only helps me a bit. they work for a small period but the anxiousness creeps back in...

happy_one worry wart
  • replies: 3

Hi, im completely new to this but I would love some advice on how to cope with social anxiety. My partner cops it the most and I’m sick of doing that it’s putting a huge strain on our relationship. It happens when he goes away and then I go out with ... View more

Hi, im completely new to this but I would love some advice on how to cope with social anxiety. My partner cops it the most and I’m sick of doing that it’s putting a huge strain on our relationship. It happens when he goes away and then I go out with some of his friends girlfriends and I try to get along with them but it feels like they aren’t interested in me or I’m putting more effort in and not getting much in return and I get really anxious about this as I feel it’s getting worse and it makes me not want to go out. I want to stop burdening this on my partner and find some coping mechanisms when he isn’t around to help me get through it. I also get very anxious when he’s away or out I don’t know why, i worry all the time about things. It’s not healthy. I want to be a mum one day and i don’t want this to be part of my life. It sounds very petty but it’s real and a real feeling.

HSPme Work anxiety: any tips?
  • replies: 1

Hi all Im just about to start a casual role as an SLSO in schools. This is a good thing as I really need the money and am a qualified teacher, so this will be a good chance to have lessened responsibility due to my mental health. Work is a big trigge... View more

Hi all Im just about to start a casual role as an SLSO in schools. This is a good thing as I really need the money and am a qualified teacher, so this will be a good chance to have lessened responsibility due to my mental health. Work is a big trigger for my moderate-severe anxiety, and it is really controlling my life. Its really counterintuitive, I know, but as soon as someone calls me for work, it’s like my throat closes up, my chest constricts and I get dizzy and extremely panicked. Many times, out of sheer terror, I’ve said no. Just for a bit of relief from the panic. I know this is not healthy but I honestly don’t know how to get around this. It isn’t just this job - it’s every job I’ve ever had. I’m terrified of being called in the morning for casual work, even though I need the money. The one time I’ve “stuck it out” and taken a day casual teaching, I broke out in massive hives and welts from the stress. I also get chronic stomach aches from the worry and most nights struggle to sleep from this. Has anyone overcome this? Thanks

AmyLillian Medical certificate for anxiety?
  • replies: 4

Hi, I was wondering if a GP is going to give me a medical certificate due to the fact that I’ve had to have the last 2 days off because my panic attacks and generalised anxiety have been intense (and I’ve been sobbing on and off constantly) the last ... View more

Hi, I was wondering if a GP is going to give me a medical certificate due to the fact that I’ve had to have the last 2 days off because my panic attacks and generalised anxiety have been intense (and I’ve been sobbing on and off constantly) the last two days due to going through a separation from from my partner of 10 years? Or will they knock me back for that?

Sage193 Anxiety is back,Emergency contraceptive pill & intrusive thoughts
  • replies: 9

Hi all! I’m new here and this is my first post I have suffered anxiety and depression since I was 14 (now 25) when I was younger I saw a psychologist who I owe so much to he taught me so much and I was able to enjoy my life with the techniques he tau... View more

Hi all! I’m new here and this is my first post I have suffered anxiety and depression since I was 14 (now 25) when I was younger I saw a psychologist who I owe so much to he taught me so much and I was able to enjoy my life with the techniques he taught me..up until now. Recently I had to take the emergency contraceptive pill and I was fine until 3 days after I took it and my anxiety was back and worse than ever. I have been having intrusive disturbing sexual thoughts that make me so sick that I throw up and have panic attacks. I know these thoughts aren’t me and I know I would never act upon these thoughts but still having them play on a loop in my mind is taking it’s toll. I have been meditating through the app Headspace and this past week taking Blackmores executive B stress I feel like these two together are helping. I was on a waiting list to see a psychologist but was removed last week because the dr I was going to see no longer works there. So I’m back to the gp on Tuesday for a new referral. Sorry for rambling my main question is to see if anyone else has had a similar experience with the emergency contraceptive pill? I truely believe it has bought back my anxiety and I would just like to hear your experiences. And the intrusive thoughts if anyone has experience with them.