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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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silicontrip Beyond a Doctors help.
  • replies: 14

My mental health has just taken a turn for the more expensive. I've exhausted 7 different medications that my GP has prescribed. I think I mentioned in another post that the only one that worked effectively but my GP can no longer legally prescribe i... View more

My mental health has just taken a turn for the more expensive. I've exhausted 7 different medications that my GP has prescribed. I think I mentioned in another post that the only one that worked effectively but my GP can no longer legally prescribe it and no psychiatrist wants to. I did get to see a psychiatrist 6 months ago (on a 291) and have exhausted those recommended medications. I'm now facing the prospect of needing to regularly see a psychiatrist, except I've been blown away by the costs. For a government that is talking about mental health it seems to be unaware of the barriers to actually receiving it. Anyone have any recommendations? ps I'm off my medication emotional, angry and moody, so I apologise for any negative tone this post has, in advance.

Samsonsam Should heart rate speed up this fast?
  • replies: 1

So I've had chest pain lately that my doctor continues to say is just anxiety. I've lost 15kg this year, started to get bad reflux and had other weird health issues. I haven't done much exercise the past year and just now I did 16 weighted squats and... View more

So I've had chest pain lately that my doctor continues to say is just anxiety. I've lost 15kg this year, started to get bad reflux and had other weird health issues. I haven't done much exercise the past year and just now I did 16 weighted squats and my heart rate went to 135bpm straight after. Is this normal for someone that is unfit? My resting heart rate is 60bpm.

Anxoid Antidepressant Causing Anxiety?
  • replies: 10

Hello folks, 43yo, male, long term anxiety/depression sufferer here, having yet another bad episode. In the last month or so, I have been waking up with panic attacks, followed by terrible anxiety, all day. Medication helps a lot during these episode... View more

Hello folks, 43yo, male, long term anxiety/depression sufferer here, having yet another bad episode. In the last month or so, I have been waking up with panic attacks, followed by terrible anxiety, all day. Medication helps a lot during these episodes. I've been on an ssri for around 20 years, and for a long time i was doing reasonably well on the lowest dose. My g.p. upped the dose, about a month ago, which hasn't helped at all yet. Perhaps it's even making things worse! Does anyone know if its possible that a higher ssri dose could actually make anxiety worse? I feel like i should go back to my old dose, but it will be some time before I can see my g.p. again. Cheers all.

Purple4 My Life
  • replies: 6

My first post I've never felt that sense of belonging. I just don't seem to fit anywhere. I'm an outcast, a loner. It's a daily struggle. Looking back as a small child it was the same. I was never anyone's first choice. Life as a teen was the same. T... View more

My first post I've never felt that sense of belonging. I just don't seem to fit anywhere. I'm an outcast, a loner. It's a daily struggle. Looking back as a small child it was the same. I was never anyone's first choice. Life as a teen was the same. Teasing and bullying ruled my life. Life was lonely. What was wrong with me. Why didn't I stand up for myself? At the age of 17 I found myself engaged to an abusive man 4 years older than me. My family disowned me. Just shy of my 19th birthday my fiancee left me. I lived alone in youth housing depressed and unemployed. Closer to my 21st birthday I reconnected with my family and tried to turn my life around. I returned to study and started a relationship with my future husband. I went on to have 2 children & got married. Even on my wedding day I didn't feel overly special. I was still putting other people's needs ahead of my own. My first panic attack happened at a friends house where I should have felt comfortable. I was holding a glass of wine and had an overwhelming sensation that the glass was going to shatter in my hand. I couldn't move. I asked my husband to take the glass from me (which was obviously ridiculous and he refused). Eyes where looking at me in disbelief. I started shaking and crying and someone removed the glass from my hand. I was 23. Things snowballed from then. I could no longer eat or drink in public. Weeks later I had a panic attack while overtaking a truck. Many years passed when I barely drove at all. I don't remember when I was officially diagnosed with anxiety- probably sometime in my mid 20s. Finally the penny dropped and I begun to understand why I was feeling this way. Different medications where given. Hiding my anxiety was exhausting. Only my husband knew. The endless excuses I would make as to why I couldn't do something ruled my life. I made the decision to tell the people in my daily life. No one understood, how could they when I didn't. After 16yrs my husband left me. I was left alone to raise my kids(9 &12). I had to find work and do things anxiety made impossible. It was a nightmare. I had no support network. My kids where the reason I breathed. I am now 46 & angry with myself for accepting less than I'm worth. Why do I put myself in relationships with men who devalue me? For 5yrs I have been with a narcissist man. He is destroying my soul. Why can't I leave him? I feel like a fool and should know better.

Katyonthehamsterwheel I feel like screaming!!!
  • replies: 4

I can't stand these feelings - anxiety, depression, thoughts of suicide - anymore! I feel physically sick and I just want to scream "someone help me!" Except who do I scream to? No-one seems to have any answers I'm so tired. I've lost so much. I'm so... View more

I can't stand these feelings - anxiety, depression, thoughts of suicide - anymore! I feel physically sick and I just want to scream "someone help me!" Except who do I scream to? No-one seems to have any answers I'm so tired. I've lost so much. I'm so alone. I don't know what to do. I keep trying to just put one foot in front the other but it seems purposeless.

Bluesman0103 Relationship Anxiety
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone, this is my first time posting on a forum or anything so hopefully I'm doing it right I have a fair amount of anxiety when it comes to meeting women (I'm male) and then beginning a sexual/romantic relationship. Meeting women and being in ... View more

Hi everyone, this is my first time posting on a forum or anything so hopefully I'm doing it right I have a fair amount of anxiety when it comes to meeting women (I'm male) and then beginning a sexual/romantic relationship. Meeting women and being in a relationship with them just terrifies me and prevents me from being able to pursue a relationship, which makes life hard when you're 22 and a lot of you're friends are in healthy relationships. My best mate just started dating this girl who is really lovely and a type of girl I would like to date, but I know that if I was in his shoes there is no way I would even gotten to know her let alone ask her out. I always feel terrible when I hang around my friends and their partners, or when I go out to a club or a bar and seeing people meet and hook up. I think my problem my come from growing up. My parents (who are great, I love them dearly) were never supportive of me meeting girls when I was in school, believing instead I should focus on my work. And my Dad, while a great guy, is not exactly a leader in how to be confident. I'm not exactly sure what specific part of forming a romantic relationship I fear. I think it my be an issue with getting close to someone and then not being enough or messing up a relationship with an amazing girl. Being a virgin doesn't seem to help. Well hopefully I've managed to make this at least semi-coherent. I think it was a bit of help just getting my thoughts down on paper. I would love to here some of your thoughts and experiences with my problems. Thanks.

RedWolfe How to deal?
  • replies: 2

I feel like giving up. I want to and it takes so much not too. Ive had anxiety for nearly 10 years and I’m 24 yrs old, I can’t even hold a job and some of my friends don’t get how serious my anxiety has become. I have one friend who doesnt believe I ... View more

I feel like giving up. I want to and it takes so much not too. Ive had anxiety for nearly 10 years and I’m 24 yrs old, I can’t even hold a job and some of my friends don’t get how serious my anxiety has become. I have one friend who doesnt believe I have it and I can barely even leave the house, except for the odd occasion of a good day. Everytime i’ve seen someone I still feel like they don’t get me. My anxiety stops me from doing things a person my age should enjoy. I don’t know to keep dealing with it, I take my medication and everything, I go to yoga, but it’s still doesnt seem to be enough.

HummingbirdX Anxiety when having conversations
  • replies: 4

Hi. I have suffered anxiety for a long time, I have ibs, am legally blind and hard of hearing so I have a lot to deal with but I know I am not the only one. I have noticed that if I am wearing my sunglasses while talking to people I don’t get anxiety... View more

Hi. I have suffered anxiety for a long time, I have ibs, am legally blind and hard of hearing so I have a lot to deal with but I know I am not the only one. I have noticed that if I am wearing my sunglasses while talking to people I don’t get anxiety but if I don’t wear them I do. Does anyone have any idea what that means?

ChrissyStar Stuck in front of the TV!!!!
  • replies: 11

Hi, I have a request which may sound pretty funny or lazy at first - but it is a real problem of mine and I really need some advice here. I suffer from anxiety/depression + heroin use (where the come-down fuels the anxiety/depression). So, I am worki... View more

Hi, I have a request which may sound pretty funny or lazy at first - but it is a real problem of mine and I really need some advice here. I suffer from anxiety/depression + heroin use (where the come-down fuels the anxiety/depression). So, I am working through the opiate dependence and I don't need advice there. What I would appreciate advice about is a habit (?) I have developed where I sit in front of the TV and do nothing else!! I am afraid of starting anything in case I can't finish it. I am afraid of living in a shitty house yet I can't clean it - thus is stays shit. I can't do anything except watch TV. Anything else brings me too much anxiety. And my responsibilities are piling up. I need to find something to stop the anxiety - so that I can live normally. Any advice? Has anyone moved from this state to a better one - how did you do it?

MacJS I don't know what feeling I'm experiencing
  • replies: 2

Lately, I've noticed that I get this feeling where I feel overwhelmed and I just can't bear to stay in class any longer. When I feel like this, I am usually getting teary or I will cry silently so I draw no attention to me. It makes it even worse whe... View more

Lately, I've noticed that I get this feeling where I feel overwhelmed and I just can't bear to stay in class any longer. When I feel like this, I am usually getting teary or I will cry silently so I draw no attention to me. It makes it even worse when I can't leave the room, I've asked my teacher just to sit outside the door but they wouldn't even let me. Then I feel very distressed, I don't know if it's because I feel trapped and can't deal with my emotions and have to act like everything is fine in front of my peers. I want to tell my teachers but I also don't want them to know, so I feel even worse. Like, if I can't leave the room. I am super angry, irritated (like don't talk to me or I'll snap) and just REALLY want to cry. I don't know if this is anxiety or I just can't be in a class full of kids. I don't know why I experience this feeling or why it happens.