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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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JustChecking Hangxiety
  • replies: 1

Here I am, it’s midnight and I’ve just woken up after having a couple of drinks with a friend and I have the most overwhelming anxiety. It’s like my eyes shot open and before I even had the chance to orientate myself I was overcome with the familiar ... View more

Here I am, it’s midnight and I’ve just woken up after having a couple of drinks with a friend and I have the most overwhelming anxiety. It’s like my eyes shot open and before I even had the chance to orientate myself I was overcome with the familiar feeling of “why did I do that?”. Replaying every sentence I might have spoken from the night and convincing myself I did something stupid. Trying to reassure myself that I was with my best friend and in actuality I don’t think there’s much I could do that would elicit any judgment from her - but sure enough I going to look for something. Why can’t I just listen to myself when I say I don’t want to drink - I know I feel so much better after coming home from a social event after making the decision not to drink, and yet sometimes I still choose to and end up like this. It makes me feel so stupid. Just trying to breathe through it and tell myself texting her at 12:30am to apologise for something I probably didn’t even do is not a good idea. I feel like I’m the only person I know who experiences such intense anxiety with drinking... anyone else out there? Any advice for sticking to your guns when you tell yourself you’re not going to drink?

Guest_1643 Has Taken Years to Admit to My Anxiety
  • replies: 8

Hi fellow travellers. I'm Vanessa, I'm 35, living and breathing tonnes of anxiety. I have had the worst year of my life (2019... goodbye....) where it ended with needing to withdraw from work/study, and actually go inpatient. I had become a ball of a... View more

Hi fellow travellers. I'm Vanessa, I'm 35, living and breathing tonnes of anxiety. I have had the worst year of my life (2019... goodbye....) where it ended with needing to withdraw from work/study, and actually go inpatient. I had become a ball of anxiety, was barely sleeping, and kept pushing myself to achieve more and more. I thought everything was normal, but really I was so worried about every little thing, and got totally anxious about finishing my degree (never did!) and also about moving house. I stopped being able to function. A call to the Triage (Beyond Blue worker put me through) resulted in me admitting what was happening. I was very embarrassed, I thought, nice girls, good peple, don't get help, don't admit problems, just keep powering on. Anyway, I nearly lost my life with that attitude. Really scared posting here but i've overcome worse....basically just wanted to ask if anyone else had difficulty acknwoldging their anxiety, and took a while and bumps to get there? I had to get to such a low to actually open my eyes and realise that it's not normal to not eat/sleep for days and to never socialise and barely have any fun. Thank you for reading... deep breaths, clicking post!!

Sardine Philophobia? The fear of falling in love
  • replies: 5

Hi. I wanted to create this post as a sort of outlet and perhaps find some advice or otherwise help others who may find themselves in similar circumstances. To get straight to the point, I believe I have what is known as 'philophobia'. Put simply, ph... View more

Hi. I wanted to create this post as a sort of outlet and perhaps find some advice or otherwise help others who may find themselves in similar circumstances. To get straight to the point, I believe I have what is known as 'philophobia'. Put simply, philophobia is the fear of falling in love or the fear of emotional attachment. Now, I am aware that plenty of people are afraid of emotional attachment or entering a romantic relationship with someone to a certain extent. However philophobia and what I have personally experienced is a much more serious problem then simply feeling a little nervous before a date. I believe this problem has been with me for a while, however I only truly started to realise something was wrong last year when I started getting closer to someone that I had feelings for. There were a few other people that I had felt attracted to before this, but I always managed to convince myself not to pursue them for one reason or another. This time though, I really wanted this person. For a short while everything was okay, at least I thought it was. We talked and laughed together. We started getting closer and closer. But with each blissful conversation the pressure mounted, soon every day I would feel tired like a huge strain was being put on me. Now I look back and I can see these as signs of anxiety, but for some reason back then I didn't notice just how scared I was. Before long, I had become smitten with this person, still unable to see the disarray I was in. Then one day I woke up and its like something had just snapped. The very thought of this person or the idea of being in a relationship made me feel completely and utterly out of control. For a week I had constant panic attacks. I couldn't hold down any solid food. After that, I gradually learnt how to deal with it. I didnt vomit as frequently. I could go back to school, though I would still vomit every day and often had to resort to not eating a single bite until I got home from school. I was on edge all the time. I became anxious around everybody. This made it difficult to study or maintain friendships. I couldnt even look at the person I had feelings for. All I could do was avoid them. Absolutely anything that made me think of being in a romantic relationship triggered extreme anxiety. To me, it was hell. Things have gotten significantly better since then. But the fear is still there, lurking. I want to try being in a relationship, but I know I'll just fall apart again.

Monicas My anxiety is ruining and taking over my life.
  • replies: 5

I have been depressed lately as I feel I have given up trying to fight this anxiety. Every thing is destroyed cause of an a.xiety or panic attack. Even just going to the shops sometimes sends me into panic. What do I do. Everything on this planet pro... View more

I have been depressed lately as I feel I have given up trying to fight this anxiety. Every thing is destroyed cause of an a.xiety or panic attack. Even just going to the shops sometimes sends me into panic. What do I do. Everything on this planet provokes my anxiety and panic. Can't even have a cup of coffee without getting anxiety attacks. Everything I used to enjoy now sets of anxiety. Can't have anything anymore. Please someone help me. It I spiralling me Down into depression. I can't live on like this. It is agony. I just want to be happy and enjoy life. Can't go one day without anxiety.

AverageAusGuy Extreme anxiety when going through transitions
  • replies: 2

Hi. I have had anxiety and depression on and off throughout my entire life which has manifested for me in a variety of different ways. It seems like everything is going great for a couple of years and then it hits me out of nowhere. Usually it is whe... View more

Hi. I have had anxiety and depression on and off throughout my entire life which has manifested for me in a variety of different ways. It seems like everything is going great for a couple of years and then it hits me out of nowhere. Usually it is when I am going through a transition in my life (changing jobs, moving towns, starting a new relationship etc). Most people experience some anxiety when going through a transition but for me it is way above normal levels. I think for me I tend to focus (ruminate) on all the times when I have made mistakes or when I have tried something new in my life and it hasn't worked out. I recently lost a close family member and it has triggered some severe health related anxiety (which is new) for me as the death was quite sudden. I am struggling with the uncertainty of my own health quite badly now even though logically I know I am healthy. Does anyone else experience extreme anxiety when going through changes in life? Has anyone had experience dealing with health anxiety? Thanks

44Max44 No motivation, no idea
  • replies: 9

Hi guys, it's been a while since I've made a post on here. A quick update on me is that my health anxiety is nowhere near as severe and as frequent as it used to be, although this whole Corona Virus thing has got me on edge admittedly. (I'm not sure ... View more

Hi guys, it's been a while since I've made a post on here. A quick update on me is that my health anxiety is nowhere near as severe and as frequent as it used to be, although this whole Corona Virus thing has got me on edge admittedly. (I'm not sure if this post belongs in the anxiety section, if not feel free to move it.) Anyways, this post is about motivation, or rather my severe lack of it. I've been stuck in the same spot since leaving Highschool. I haven't held down a job, I haven't studied anything, and I haven't done much of anything for a good 3+ years of my life now except sit at home. The problem is I have no clue whatsoever where to even start... and even if I did I doubt I'd have to motivation to actually do that thing... I'm stuck. I have no idea what to do with my life. I want to study, but don't know what to study, and don't want to make the wrong decision. I want to work, but my anxiety makes the jobs I'd actually be comfortable doing very few and far between. I'm seeing all my family and friends grow up around me, getting jobs, learning to drive, and actually get somewhere in life and here I am still stuck at square one. I'm sick and tired of relying on my parents when it comes to pretty much everything. I'm nearly 21 and still feel like a child in so many aspects of life. I'm losing hope for my future and fast. I used to look forward to my birthdays, but now all they do is mark another year of me doing nothing with my life. If you told me 5 years ago that my biggest challenge in life would be depression & anxiety I would have laughed in your face, but now they pretty much control everything I do and every decision I make. If there's anyone on here that has been in a similar situation, I'd very much love to hear how you got out of it. I'm really at a loss of what to do. Thank you.

Hellohello22 Death anxiety
  • replies: 6

I have been extremely worried and anxious about dying. The thought of dying. Feeling like what if it happened now? I’m 20 years old and it’s affecting daily living. I cant sleep, eat etc

I have been extremely worried and anxious about dying. The thought of dying. Feeling like what if it happened now? I’m 20 years old and it’s affecting daily living. I cant sleep, eat etc

Frosty66 Nothing seems to help!
  • replies: 13

Hi all I have spent ages trying to figure out which forum to post in; as I seem to fit most. I guess my main issue is anxiety (and depression, ptsd and ocd...). I have been off work for over a year due to an injury and in this time my life has become... View more

Hi all I have spent ages trying to figure out which forum to post in; as I seem to fit most. I guess my main issue is anxiety (and depression, ptsd and ocd...). I have been off work for over a year due to an injury and in this time my life has become a horrid cycle of isolation, loneliness, massive health anxiety issues and basically feeling I have nothing to live for. I have to live though for my child. I am in constant pain from the work injury and scheduled for surgery very soon. I put it off as long as I could due to being a single mother with no help from any quarter; being in a cast for six weeks was simply not tenable. It is now apparent the surgery is required and I will be receiving some assistance through the insurer. My child also has matured a lot since the initial injury (May 2018) and understands he will have to spend some time at his father's whilst I have the surgery; and that he will have to help me a lot more when I get home. Throughout this awful time I then developed mysterious pains in other areas of my body and I believe I suffer from health anxiety. I have been to doctors over and over about various symptoms. I have had scans and MRI's (at great expense to me) and all were clear. That was all because I was convinced I had throat cancer. I then decided I had tongue cancer; went through same regime to be told all clear. Now I have decided I have lung cancer and am just living day by day until I have the surgery for the work injury and meantime expect to have a scan to see if I am correct in the lung cancer idea. I saw a doctor last week and told her my concerns. She listened to my heart/chest and could not hear anything untoward. I did used to smoke and I told her that. She said she is not concerned that I have anything like that and she thinks it is anxiety...again. I also have pains around my liver and in my hips and I am convinced that all of my bad habits in the past have caught up with me. I used to drink and smoke a lot. Because I have suffered depression and anxiety since my earliest memories. I did not have a happy childhood and I had a major trauma at age 14 which set me off on this path of self destruction. Therefore if I do have something terminal it is my own stupid fault. I do not care about me at all I just care about my child. I have to live another 3 years to get him to adulthood. That is my only concern.

Ally95 Struggling through a rough patch
  • replies: 2

Hi, My partner of 4 years is starting his own Business, I am helping him a little financially which I am totally ok with and can afford, however I can't stop thinking about the "what if" and all the negatives that could happen. We had an argument lik... View more

Hi, My partner of 4 years is starting his own Business, I am helping him a little financially which I am totally ok with and can afford, however I can't stop thinking about the "what if" and all the negatives that could happen. We had an argument like any couple would, since then then my anxiety/panic disorder has been triggered and I am suffering with constant feelings of nervousness, panic and severe anxiety which affects me getting up in the morning and going to work. When my anxiety gets triggered, it takes a week or 2 to get back to normal. I know this is only a short term thing amd things will work out, but I fall apart when the thought of something goes wrong and won't be able to find a solution. How can I be more of a support to my partner during this time rather than becoming a broken mess myself? We are both 24 and he has high functioning autism, has struggled to pass his university course and running his business is the only way he can do his one and only passion.

44Max44 Nausea & Anxiety
  • replies: 1

Hi, One thing I've been struggling with consistently due to my anxiety is nausea, and it's taking a toll on my life. In the mornings, I can't eat breakfast for the life of me, I have 0 appetite whatsoever and if I try to force myself to eat something... View more

Hi, One thing I've been struggling with consistently due to my anxiety is nausea, and it's taking a toll on my life. In the mornings, I can't eat breakfast for the life of me, I have 0 appetite whatsoever and if I try to force myself to eat something I'll just get nauseous, my stomach will hurt, I'll dry heave or sometimes even vomit. I can drink stuff without a problem so I usually just have a glass of water and an Up & Go, but eating anything solid even if it's my favorite food in the world just leads to nausea which is the last thing I want to start my day off with. Not being able to eat breakfast for me isn't a major problem and I can (and have) lived with it for many years now, the main issue I want to try and get sorted is not being able to brush my teeth because it feels like my gag reflex is in overdrive. If the toothbrush goes anywhere near the back of my mouth I will get nauseated, gag, and sometimes throw up, which is super unpleasant and makes me really not want to brush my teeth and my dental hygiene has suffered a lot over the years because of it. I've found that all I can really do is floss my teeth and use mouthwash which I know isn't good enough dental hygiene but I'm at a loss of what else to do. I have to pick between having good dental hygiene or gagging several times every time I go to brush my teeth. Because of this, I only really brush my teeth when I really have to, like before going to socialize with friends or go out for dinner, etc... I'm worried that if I don't find a solution to this problem I'll be without any teeth by the age of 30... they're already in pretty bad shape now and I'm not even 21... Has anyone else experienced these issues and particularly the brushing the teeth one? If so, have you found any solution that works for you? I'd love to hear it! Thanks, guys.