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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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Laraqua Fear of Ageing
  • replies: 5

I have a fair bit of anxiety around ageing. In some ways it's been positive in that it encourages me to make the most out of every day, but its downside is an expectation of being in a bad way by 65 (despite seeing many other healthy mid-sixties folk... View more

I have a fair bit of anxiety around ageing. In some ways it's been positive in that it encourages me to make the most out of every day, but its downside is an expectation of being in a bad way by 65 (despite seeing many other healthy mid-sixties folks) and certainly expecting to have too little superannuation (so why bother adding extra?), a bad pension and little Medicare help, if any (I'm an elder millenial and seen the whittling away of many social supports) and knowing I can't afford a house means that going into residential care will mean going to the cheapest option available that doesn't mean putting your home up. While I am the fittest I've ever been (not saying much), the most social and the most aware of how my brain works, I'm in my mid-thirties and have a real "my chance to get properly fit has been and gone" and worry that my current social networks will fritter away as I age as we'll no longer be as heavily involved in our shared hobby (which is Live Action Roleplaying, like murder mysteries but with more complex simulated events). Then there's the fact that I really need to decide if I'm going to have kids or not, and soon, as I want to be an active parent. But I also fear losing 20 years of what feels like a very limited life and semi-youth to raise them... And it's a huge additional commitment with my partner... And pregnancy may cause various health issues and permanent disabilities that will last forever.... And I will likely lose many of my current friends who due to anxieties of their own actively dislike children (namely due to their own histories as victims of bullies in school). But I need to decide soon because at 34, things will get harder as time goes on. It's just a whole morass of anxieties and I haven't had much luck with therapists as the anxiety seems to shift and morph over time and with conversation so I can never really pin it down. Does anyone else have fears / anxieties regarding ageing? Like a persistent series of worries that arise when around the elderly or hearing of issues that go on? Or just lying awake at night thinking about it? Does anything help? I know a lot of CBT techniques but I can't imagine any of them working for this. It just feels so nebulous and accurate to think of the slowly dwindling sands in my hourglass and I can almost hear the slamming doors of missed opportunities....

Monicas Does anyone else have an extreme fear of death?
  • replies: 3

Hi. I have realised that my anxiety disorder is ultimately the fear of death. Does anyone else have this fear? This could be causing your anxiety as well. For me I personally am challenging that fear of death by developing a good belief system about ... View more

Hi. I have realised that my anxiety disorder is ultimately the fear of death. Does anyone else have this fear? This could be causing your anxiety as well. For me I personally am challenging that fear of death by developing a good belief system about the after life like the many religions believe in. I also use CBD oil. It is very helpful for me. It be nice to know others are dealing with the Same thing. Let's talk

Greyhorse Is this part of anxiety or is there something else wrong
  • replies: 4

I suffer from anxiety and panic attacks and its really starting to annoy me but now I find occasionally I have trouble swallowing, but I know I can if I drink water but this is really scaring me. it doesn't matter if I am eating or not eaten it just ... View more

I suffer from anxiety and panic attacks and its really starting to annoy me but now I find occasionally I have trouble swallowing, but I know I can if I drink water but this is really scaring me. it doesn't matter if I am eating or not eaten it just happens and I panic real bad!!! It feels like my throat has a spasm I really feel like I am starting to go crazy now

R0llergirl Fear of impending Melanoma diagnosis is too much
  • replies: 13

Hi I’m new here and had to post as I’m at my limit with how bad my head is behaving right now and how tired I am of all this repetitive health anxiety that I have. Long story short, I’ve had or given myself chronic health anxiety on and off for over ... View more

Hi I’m new here and had to post as I’m at my limit with how bad my head is behaving right now and how tired I am of all this repetitive health anxiety that I have. Long story short, I’ve had or given myself chronic health anxiety on and off for over 10 yrs which now manifests in multiple anxieties...but right now I have worked myself up so much that I have diarrhoea, nervous tummy, scattered thoughts, etc. I went to the docs for my yearly skin scan Friday and there was one mole on my butt that he said he ‘thought’ was okay but after further inspection of the enlarged picture of it he said....’let’s take this one off as it has one if the signs it could be Melanoma which is some blue/white specs or ‘film’ through it and it’s quite large and asymmetrical. I asked him if others that looked like mine came back ok and he said yes so that was reassuring. The problem is I Googled what the symptoms are if a melanoma has spread and it said shortness of breath and a pain on the right side under the ribcage as the liver swells once it spreads to there. I literally went to the docs last week for BOTH of those things. He said the shortness of breath was anxiety and the back pain was from recently climbing ladders at work which was a new task for me so likely muscular. I am in a state now convinced I have melanoma that has spread. Please be kind I am very lost and scared in my thoughts right now x

willdo panic attacks
  • replies: 10

hi , its getting to a point were i feel a panic attack coming on by just thinking about going outside my comfort zone (shop for example). its a double edge sward im so bored at home feels like im going crazy , yet have not got the courage or motivati... View more

hi , its getting to a point were i feel a panic attack coming on by just thinking about going outside my comfort zone (shop for example). its a double edge sward im so bored at home feels like im going crazy , yet have not got the courage or motivation to do anything.

Crabblossom Anxious over not knowing what to do.
  • replies: 2

Hi Everyone , I get anxiety over not know what to do and to be honest it’s a bit crippling. I tend to be very hard on myself and I can’t seem to get out of the habit. How do you move forward and make you failures work for you because I just can’t see... View more

Hi Everyone , I get anxiety over not know what to do and to be honest it’s a bit crippling. I tend to be very hard on myself and I can’t seem to get out of the habit. How do you move forward and make you failures work for you because I just can’t seem to get it. How do you overcome fear of striking out so that you can playing the game? I’m just a bit scared and I was hoping for some advice.

John_Maia Constant comments on clothing and appearance making me anxious at work.
  • replies: 4

So first time poster, Hi, I am a 27yo female who works in a public high school as a nurse. I've held this position for just over a year. Let me start by saying i actually love this job. Its perfect for me. But about 3 months into the job, two office ... View more

So first time poster, Hi, I am a 27yo female who works in a public high school as a nurse. I've held this position for just over a year. Let me start by saying i actually love this job. Its perfect for me. But about 3 months into the job, two office ladies began to comment on my outfits weekly, if not daily. Its usually just a snide remark like 'Aren't you cold in that little top' or 'you look like you going to the beach'. Some of the worse ones are 'Careful around the young boys in that outfit'. I have had Office dress code policies slipped under my door, policies that are for office staff and not me. On a 43 degree day I wore shorts and was made too feel like a was naked. All of this has resulted in daily panic attacks about what to wear to work. I am terrified to walk through the office and pick up my keys or print something, because i'm afraid they will say something. I haven't been eating at work, avoiding going to the staff room, and feel scared every time someone walks into my office. The thing is I am worried i'm being sensitive or overreacting. I've started wearing plain pants and t shirts to school but also being terrified of someone saying something to me. Am I overreacting or am i actually being bullied. Thanks to whoever reads this.

Guest6093 Anxiety over Money
  • replies: 4

Hi everyone, I'm hoping for some feedback on how to deal with lack of money or not being able to provide the support you want. Me and my wife are both suffering Anxiety over our money woes, even though we are still keeping our heads above water. We a... View more

Hi everyone, I'm hoping for some feedback on how to deal with lack of money or not being able to provide the support you want. Me and my wife are both suffering Anxiety over our money woes, even though we are still keeping our heads above water. We are parents to two beautiful girls and, at times, we take our situation and struggles out on them and it's not fair. We both work part-time, I work in Aged Care and she is in Retail. We split our time so we can have our own time with the kids and still have family time too. We both bring in a fair enough income and are supported through Government payments for Family Support. It just seems like it's overwhelming the amount of bills, payments, etc. that come in that it never seems like we have any money for ourselves. Does anyone else feel like this? Are we selfish to think there's an easier way? Should we be more grateful for what we have rather than worrying when things go wrong? It also feels like a common occurrence in our lives that this situation keeps coming up. My wife has not been great with money and spending it unwisely. I've set up a budget that many times but that doesn't always help but at least keeps us consistent. Would appreciate any feedback you guys can give. Cheers, R.

Lyn_from_the_bush Lyn from the bush
  • replies: 2

Ho i have suffered severe anxiety and depression for years and now with professional support and meds i cope pretty well that is untill family gatherings and holidays my family is everything to me and i have always felt that they define who i am but ... View more

Ho i have suffered severe anxiety and depression for years and now with professional support and meds i cope pretty well that is untill family gatherings and holidays my family is everything to me and i have always felt that they define who i am but when they leave to go home im a wreck i feel abandoned and desolate i get worked up hours or even the day before they leave and despite using all the tools i have the sense of loss when they leave os completely overwhelmingly it’s getting harder and harder and i cant enjoy my time with them because i know it will end

Simonecs89 This breathing pattern sucks.
  • replies: 5

Is anyone else not able to breath properly? It’s like it’s my new normal now. It’s been weeks where I’m aware of my breath, I’m shallow breathing, I can’t take a full breath, feels tight in my chest. I feel lightheaded and scared from it. I can’t fun... View more

Is anyone else not able to breath properly? It’s like it’s my new normal now. It’s been weeks where I’m aware of my breath, I’m shallow breathing, I can’t take a full breath, feels tight in my chest. I feel lightheaded and scared from it. I can’t function properly being like this. It would be comforting to know if other people have this happen for a long period of time. Also breathing exercises don’t snap me out of it. I don’t have a trigger, I wake up like this and am like this all day, every day.