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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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chicken_1 Self doubt
  • replies: 3

I’m currently struggling mentally again, I did really well not caring what other people thought about me and all of a sudden something triggered me again and I know longer feel good enough in anything I do.

I’m currently struggling mentally again, I did really well not caring what other people thought about me and all of a sudden something triggered me again and I know longer feel good enough in anything I do.

sanmmi I have extreme astraphobia (fear of thunder & lightening)
  • replies: 8

I have extreme astraphobia (fear of thunder & lightening), theres a thunderstorm at the moment and im like deathly afraid of thunder and lightening so im listening to music which is turned all the way up and i have all my blinds closed and all my lig... View more

I have extreme astraphobia (fear of thunder & lightening), theres a thunderstorm at the moment and im like deathly afraid of thunder and lightening so im listening to music which is turned all the way up and i have all my blinds closed and all my lights turned on... i really want to get over this fear because its really ridiculous, i cancel plans if there is a storm coming and im always checking the weather. I dont want to be scared but i cant help it, ive had this fear since i was little (im turning 19 next month like its gone on for way too long) and im over it. Is there any way to get over this other than like therapy? and does anyone feel the same or am i not normal? Everyones always telling me how crazy i am because of this.

More than my mental health condition Burnout & GAD
  • replies: 2

I feel like I need some support from people in the know, my family is amazing but I'm not sure they understand just how hard 2023 was for me, kinda feeling like I need some kind words & reassurance that I've got this. In 2023 I experienced housing in... View more

I feel like I need some support from people in the know, my family is amazing but I'm not sure they understand just how hard 2023 was for me, kinda feeling like I need some kind words & reassurance that I've got this. In 2023 I experienced housing instability, bullied by a so called friend, bullied by an employee, burnout at work and 6 months ago I also took on the main carer role for my elderly parents moving into a large house together....oh, and I have GAD as well. Knowing I wasn't right I quit my management role, and though I didn't plan on finding a new job so quickly have found something perfect for me with great hours and no major pressures which I start soon. It'll mean being careful with expenses but I'm not worried about that, I can do it. I guess my question is what else do I need to do? How do I set aside the nastiness of 2023 that's playing on my mind? Is my complete career change going to be enough to heal? What other steps can I take to feel like I'm the person I want to be?

K-J-S Dreading the New Year
  • replies: 2

I'm wondering if anyone else feels like this? I had a really positive outlook for 2024 about a week ago, but now it's completely changed. 2023 for really hard for me and my fiance. There were so many things we had to overcome: I had to take my ex to ... View more

I'm wondering if anyone else feels like this? I had a really positive outlook for 2024 about a week ago, but now it's completely changed. 2023 for really hard for me and my fiance. There were so many things we had to overcome: I had to take my ex to court to get parental orders, my car kept breaking down and I was struggling to get a new one, my partner's visa, my ADHD assessment. It was just one thing after another. There were a lot of ways they all could have gone wrong, and every time we had the best possible outcome. So by the end of it, I was feeling really proud of what we had accomplished. I was feeling like now all of those things were out of the way, I had nothing to worry about anymore. New Years Day always feels like a clean slate to me. In some ways that's a good thing, but it just feels like nothing I did last year matters. I know time doesn't really work like that, it's just a feeling I struggle to shake. There are so many things that could go wrong this year. It also doesn't help that I'm missing my son's birthday again today. Last year it was because I was being denied access, this year it's because I have covid. I often feel like this about New Years, but it's not usually this bad. Anyway, does anyone else ever feel this way about this time of year?

Lostworrier82 Cardiac worry - Franks sign - ear lobe creasing
  • replies: 4

Hi all, I thought I was doing ok lately on the health anxiety side of things, I’ve been eating healthier, loosing some weight and feeling good about myself. However, I was scrolling through TikTok and a random post came up about ‘Franks sign’ curiosi... View more

Hi all, I thought I was doing ok lately on the health anxiety side of things, I’ve been eating healthier, loosing some weight and feeling good about myself. However, I was scrolling through TikTok and a random post came up about ‘Franks sign’ curiosity got me so I ended up watching the reel. It spoke about people having diagonal creases on their ear lobes meant they would have some form of CAD. Insert panic as of course I have deep creasing on my ear lobes. I ended up googling too and it’s a thing. I’ve never heard of it before but apparently it can be an indicator. I spoke to my husband who is very blah about things and he said you’ve already had checks done so I doubt it relates to you. I had a CT angiogram in 2020 and it showed 0 calcium markers and I also had a stress test last year which was fine. Obviously I am unfit but didn’t show anything. I looked at old photos from last year and I did have creasing but a few years ago not so much 🤷🏻‍ thought it was due to putting on weight over the years but yeh I’m just in a bad way now. I can’t get any cardio checks done as I don’t have symptoms and they won’t do another CT scan on me as it’s only been a few years. My cholesterol is slightly elevated but has been for a few years and dr thinks stress can cause it to be elevated at times. sorry to vent but I was just freaking out. I’m trying to calm my mind that I have in fact had checks done within the last few years. has anyone heard of this before? or am I the only one it reached just tostress me out unless it was a sign. sometimes I hate myself when I get like this.

PanicButton Serious fatigue
  • replies: 7

Hi all, I am trying to get this down although even moving fingers on the key board feels like an effort. I am just constantly so tired. More than tired. I am physically and mentally exhausted. I have been suffering stress and anxiety for most of this... View more

Hi all, I am trying to get this down although even moving fingers on the key board feels like an effort. I am just constantly so tired. More than tired. I am physically and mentally exhausted. I have been suffering stress and anxiety for most of this year and since a couple of months I feel I have just reached my limit. I wake up, I am so tired it is hard to get up from the bed. I eat breakfast and go out for a walk and do not feel any better. I try to work and cannot concentrate, feel like falling a sleep. I would like to exercise but even the thought of it makes me tired. I try to stay active and eat healthy but it is not helping. I try to sleep but keep waking up in the middle of the night, have difficulties falling a sleep. I have rapid heart rate and shallow breathing. I try to do mindfulness and calm myself down but it helps only sometimes, other times it just makes me more restless and irritated. I have been suffering from a pretty bad burnout + panic disorder. But have eased my work to 40% of the normal. I take free evenings/weekends. I try to be gentle and understanding for myself. But I am just so TIRED of being TIRED all the time. Anyone experiencing anything similar? What to do? I feel like every time the need for rest is more and it can be weeks that I struggle to get up from the bed and just survive. Sometimes feels like it would be easier to give up, but I want to get better. Just do not know how? Any help?

Autumn_drift There is no one.
  • replies: 6

Does anyone have advice for what to do when you really need someone to talk to in person on short notice but you have no friends and practically no family. I'm struggling with anxiety attacks and depression on my own and I feel utterly hopless and cl... View more

Does anyone have advice for what to do when you really need someone to talk to in person on short notice but you have no friends and practically no family. I'm struggling with anxiety attacks and depression on my own and I feel utterly hopless and close to completely letting go of life. Being In a really bad state (and I mean really bad. particularly anxiety) and knowing you have no one to turn to and that you are completely alone is one of the most gut wrenching, demoralising feelings I have ever known. I know I can talk to someone on the phone for 20 minutes but then I am just plunged straight back into being alone with myself. I wish I just had a hand on my shoulder for once or a hug. Just one hug. I want to break down in someone's arms, should I feel bad about that? I'm at the end of my rope. Thank you to anyone who took the time to read this. Any comments are appreciated.

PeggySue92 Noise anxiety
  • replies: 44

Hi all, this is my first time posting and I suffer from noise anxiety. My noise anxiety only exists in my own home, I work in a noisy office environment and this is not a trigger at all. In the past we have had noisy neighbours, air-con units, loud m... View more

Hi all, this is my first time posting and I suffer from noise anxiety. My noise anxiety only exists in my own home, I work in a noisy office environment and this is not a trigger at all. In the past we have had noisy neighbours, air-con units, loud music etc all causing me to think about when the noise will happen again and this causes me to worry about constantly. Even to the point of missing out on enjoying things because I need to try and control situations. At the moment we are in our own house and the neighbours have a dog that barks ALL THE TIME. It’s sensitive to everything and anything and is causing me anxiety because we cant go out to our backyard without being aggressively barked at. The issue has been brought up with the neighbours and they are aware that the barking is disturbing me and my family but not a lot has been done. I'm tired of worrying and thinking the worst of what ‘might’ happen. I'd like to hear from anyone that suffers the same type of anxiety and if they have tips on how to deal with it. Thank you.

gam_gam Panic Disorder - Scared of sounds and parenting
  • replies: 2

Hi New here. I had a panic attack after Boxing Day - first one in 8 years (I have had many life stressors this year so obviously this is why.) my panic attacks sound different to what I read online. Mine include; sheer terror over trivial nonsense th... View more

Hi New here. I had a panic attack after Boxing Day - first one in 8 years (I have had many life stressors this year so obviously this is why.) my panic attacks sound different to what I read online. Mine include; sheer terror over trivial nonsense things like sound, fast cars, balloons, dogs wagging their tails etc my gosh that is so crazy when I write it down. I am so aware when I have these thoughts they are irrational but the body won’t respond straight away. They last about 1-4 minutes and then usually in the past I have shrugged it off and compartmentalised the whole thing . At age 35 I had a big panic attack and it left me in a depression for months after. I’ve counted 5 episodes of this in my adult life now. I did have them as a child (the trigger there is obvious was I was abused.) I recently became a parent at 40 and now this panic attack had thrown me. I’ve been scared to leave the house today and yesterday. I don’t feel like I can parent my 3yo. My husband is supportive but I have the biggest guilt over this. When people say their panic attacks feel ‘like they are going crazy’ is that what they mean? Over sensitivity to light, noise and irrational fear ?

Lin01 Fear and Anxiety caused by loss of mother
  • replies: 2

Dear Beyond Blue communityMy name is Lin and about 2 months ago, my mother passed away suddenly due to a heart attack. She was 70 years old and I am 37 years old. I have always had a very close relationship with my mother. We lived together, went eve... View more

Dear Beyond Blue communityMy name is Lin and about 2 months ago, my mother passed away suddenly due to a heart attack. She was 70 years old and I am 37 years old. I have always had a very close relationship with my mother. We lived together, went everywhere and did everything together. I am not married, and do not have many close family or friends. My mother's recent death has left me feeling very scared, anxious and sometimes lonely. I am now faced with situations where I am not quite sure what to do without my mother beside me. For example, household matters, taking the car for servicing and travelling. In particular, regarding travelling overseas alone, what should I do if my wallet, Passport, cash, keys or mobile phone gets stolen during overseas or even when going through airport security checks. I would not have anyone to support me or lend assistance. I would like to get some advice from others in this forum regarding tackling these situations alone?Thanks very much in advance!