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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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Lu8Lu8 Financial Stability is Unachievable
  • replies: 7

Hi,I’m here because I have been finding it hard to navigate life because of financial concerns. I’m 25. I live rent-free with my boyfriend and we’re doing fine. But a lot of things have happened in the past few years which have made me feel anxious, ... View more

Hi,I’m here because I have been finding it hard to navigate life because of financial concerns. I’m 25. I live rent-free with my boyfriend and we’re doing fine. But a lot of things have happened in the past few years which have made me feel anxious, worried and stressed. To start, I failed a PhD so I decided to go find a job. When I finally got one, I was fired a month in for not being a good fit. So I decided to start studying a masters in a different field which I am enjoying. But I still needed money and I continued my struggle for a job. I got one with good pay but my mental health suffered due to my coworkers attitudes. I finally quit about a year and a month of working there as I had enough but now we are here. Unemployed. Studying. No income. Centrelink keeps making me fill out paperwork and I am using my life savings due to costs of living rising rapidly. To top it off, we had to move further away due to our house getting written off in a storm. So travelling is costing more. I only have my boyfriend near me for support. I’m not close with his family and my family live over 8 hours away and I don’t have any friends in the area. I’m alone most of the time. My boyfriend gets bombarded with all the things I stress about and it’s not healthy for me to place it all on him and I feel he doesn’t know how to deal with it sometimes. I haven’t got any formal diagnoses but I feel like I have chronic stress. I worry about being good enough to get and maintain a job. I worry about being good at the job. I worry that being financially stable in this global environment of rising costs is not achievable. I worry about not being able to achieve all the goals that I want to accomplish. I worry about everything from career, my body, my life. It makes me feel depressed and I tend to compensate my stress with food which is not healthy either. I just don’t see a light at the end of the tunnel. Anybody got any advice on how to manage my stress and worry levels?

AliciaDickson06 Single Parent
  • replies: 2

Hi, I am a single parent of a 3 year old and have been diagnosed with chronic anxiety disorder and depression I am finding it extremely difficult to function my everyday life aswell as being a mum this anxiety takes over my body completely and it’s a... View more

Hi, I am a single parent of a 3 year old and have been diagnosed with chronic anxiety disorder and depression I am finding it extremely difficult to function my everyday life aswell as being a mum this anxiety takes over my body completely and it’s actually really scary to the point I don’t eat sleep or take care of myself because I am so uncomfortable within myself I can’t do anything

_Gigi_ Stuck in my head
  • replies: 8

Hi, wondering if anyone else has this problem as well? I've noticed that I've been more and more stuck in my head as my anxiety grows worse. I've always been a daydreamer, but it didn't used to be like this. I now constantly daydream about anything a... View more

Hi, wondering if anyone else has this problem as well? I've noticed that I've been more and more stuck in my head as my anxiety grows worse. I've always been a daydreamer, but it didn't used to be like this. I now constantly daydream about anything aside from reality and I can't really control it anymore. Instead of making friends, reaching out to family, learning new things, or pursuing any goals, I just imagine I do. The majority of my daydreaming isn't about myself though, because sometimes it makes me upset to even think about anything close to my real life. Is it normal to daydream this much? Is it related to my anxiety as I suspect, or a totally separate issue altogether? I'm feeling a bit lost and any advice would be appreciated

Av123 School Camp
  • replies: 1

Hi, My daughter suffers anxiety. She is 14 and this week was meant to go to school camp which is 5 nights.She didn't end up going with the rest of her class but is now thinking of joining them half way through the camp, having only 2 days left. Would... View more

Hi, My daughter suffers anxiety. She is 14 and this week was meant to go to school camp which is 5 nights.She didn't end up going with the rest of her class but is now thinking of joining them half way through the camp, having only 2 days left. Would that be a good idea or will that make it worse for her socially ?

searching-for-healing Got to get out of this cycle
  • replies: 2

I am lostand I don’t know the next step.I have always suffered with health anxiety and now it’s come home to roost. I am getting bad heath newsfirst a mth ago it was high blood pressure, what was worse is that it showed up while I was worried about o... View more

I am lostand I don’t know the next step.I have always suffered with health anxiety and now it’s come home to roost. I am getting bad heath newsfirst a mth ago it was high blood pressure, what was worse is that it showed up while I was worried about other symptoms and yesterday after getting an endoscopy I have found that my lower esophageal sphincter doesn’t close and I will have Gerd for the rest of my life which will be miserable the way forward looks so daunting atmdrugs to treat Gerd make blood pressure worse. Which is crazy atm with my anxiety.There is a surgery option but unsure how successful it will beand what makes it worse is I have a wife and boys and I am failing as a husband and father. I have burned the anxiety bridge with my wife (who in all other regards is amazing) and so I am battling in silence.I know the boys need a competent father and that is only making me feel worseluke

jesnor GAD and ADHD what do you do to keep anxiety under control?
  • replies: 9

Hi all,I struggle a lot with anxiety, constant fear of everything. Leaving the house, answering the phone, emails, people, food, noises, shops etc. Racing thoughts and constant worry about nothing and everything. I see a psychologist regularly and tr... View more

Hi all,I struggle a lot with anxiety, constant fear of everything. Leaving the house, answering the phone, emails, people, food, noises, shops etc. Racing thoughts and constant worry about nothing and everything. I see a psychologist regularly and try to do things to help myself - exercise, avoiding alcohol, music, journaling, cold showers, healthy diet etc.. I’m starting a new job soon and worry about all of it. I feel like an imposter and like they are going to be disappointed by me. I had to resign my previous job due to burnout and I don’t want to go down that road again. What do you do to ground yourself and challenge anxious thoughts? Do you have strategies that you find helpful? Are there things you incorporate in your routine to help you? Thank you all and hope you’re keeping safe

Harriolo Overwhelmed with tasks
  • replies: 6

Does anyone else spend the majority of their days off from work trying to work their way through a never ending list of tasks/ chores. I want to do fulfilling, fun, hobbies etc but I find that I get bogged down with errands and tasks. Yet at the same... View more

Does anyone else spend the majority of their days off from work trying to work their way through a never ending list of tasks/ chores. I want to do fulfilling, fun, hobbies etc but I find that I get bogged down with errands and tasks. Yet at the same time I don't feel like I ever get on top of these tasks. I often don't leave the house and then get frustrated that I haven't done anything exciting with my day. It always feels like I should be doing something which makes it hard to dedicate time to take time to do hobbies, or just read in the park or something Seen people with ADHD talk about similar experiences. I've got OCD so could be related to that in that I find it hard not to obsess over things that I need to do. Just wondering if anyone experiences the same thing. If they've got any tips/ advice? Thanks, Harri

Ann-alise93 The "What If?" Battle
  • replies: 2

I truly felt like life in general was improving. Triggers weren't (and still are not) as sensitive anymore.I've recently spent the last couple of months going from one issue to another until they were all happening along side each other and I've had ... View more

I truly felt like life in general was improving. Triggers weren't (and still are not) as sensitive anymore.I've recently spent the last couple of months going from one issue to another until they were all happening along side each other and I've had a mental collapse.The depression is clear, even to myself. I am withdrawing from others. I don't WANT to see anyone. I don't WANT to put the effort in to keeping up with hygiene, housework, basically normal every day things. The reason behind my feeling this way is because it truly seems pointless when you just keep copping metaphorical hits from how people around you are.I get told it will get better. My mind is stuck in the "what if it doesn't?" State. Because if it doesn't get better.. all my energy I am using now to 'keep it together' I look back on as a waste. Especially when I could have just curled up for a week and allow my emotions to ride through and then be gone. Annoyingly, I can't do that due to daily responsibilities I have no choice being responsible for. I know what I mentally need. I don't know how to get it though.

Christyy Ongoing panic attacks
  • replies: 7

Hey, new to this so bare with me!I've been having ongoing panic attacks sporadically for the past 10 years or so.. I used to keep my attacks logged on random bits of paper on the floor of the bathroom so the next attack I can read through compare sym... View more

Hey, new to this so bare with me!I've been having ongoing panic attacks sporadically for the past 10 years or so.. I used to keep my attacks logged on random bits of paper on the floor of the bathroom so the next attack I can read through compare symptoms to try and confirm that im not going to die.. but recently got the idea to start logging them again but on my notes section of my phone. They have no rhyme or reason just happen out if the blue.. I'm not really a stressed/anxious person so couldn't tell you what actually causes them but wanted to get an outsiders opinion on it I guess..? I don't know how to explain most of what's happening hence the words like iffy.. but I don't know if this is how everyone else's seems or if it's just unique for me etcc22/09/2023Head feels fullHead tinglesHappens after over exercising today did 9k stepsTummy abit upsetGasyTop corners iffyTop back tingly?Starts with top sides of head feeling tight and vision kinda blurryUrge to cover ears with shoulder

blues23 Venting I guess or wanting advise
  • replies: 4

So I have been off work for around nearly two years ( Work cover injury) I did successfully find a new role unfortunately it seems it doesn’t have much work In it ( contracted 16 hours with potential for more ) has been my first day and feel a bit fl... View more

So I have been off work for around nearly two years ( Work cover injury) I did successfully find a new role unfortunately it seems it doesn’t have much work In it ( contracted 16 hours with potential for more ) has been my first day and feel a bit flat I guess my sister ( including myself ) think this job probably won’t pay me enough to survive ( with myself & my young daughter) sooooooo I got back on that seek wagon and I honestly feel like disheartened I don’t know what to do with my life really this Wc kinda changed me a lot and made my brain change it doesn’t think or cope like it used to it gets overwhelmed like that just a tiny thing and it’s panic stations . I’m a bit lost I think and maybe just maybe I put too much of myself into the job it’s not good really that’s why I liked this job ( even thou it may not be good money I can chill and just be chill I don’t want to work myself to the ground I’ve been there done that but I also need to pay rent. & bills that never end and I don’t know if this job can cover this expenses and of course Im trying to save money too but because I just started this job I not get paid for another week and it may only be a small amount for a lot or a bit of work . Its kinda unfair that life is a bit stressful and im wired just from restarting work maybe I bite off more than I can chew but I have to try as WC will not last forever and I have to earn to make a living. I’m a bit sad to be honest that my last job screwed me up like they did . I guess I not know what to do it’s sucky