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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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Dazza101 Anyone have an idea what's wrong with me?
  • replies: 3

Hi all, First time posting here but I have read a few posts prior to joining the forums. In essence I have what I am pretty sure is some form of stresss/anxiety issue that I am looking to at least try and put my finger on so I can go about fixing or ... View more

Hi all, First time posting here but I have read a few posts prior to joining the forums. In essence I have what I am pretty sure is some form of stresss/anxiety issue that I am looking to at least try and put my finger on so I can go about fixing or managing the issue. To put some back story to my issue, about 6 years or so ago I was at a course which went for two weeks, now it was almost at the end of this time. I noticed around the middle of the day when I went to get up my body didnt really respond, I had placed my elbows on the table to push up off but as I pushed up, my body essentially refused and I lost all strength. Now I thought nothing of it and continued through the day. I still felt fine but had little "episodes" where I felt a bit wonky and weak. I even went to the bathroom and tried to do a pull up (usually nonissue for me) across the beam of the stall, started but again, body went weak and I felt all fuzzy. I got into the car with my partner and propped my self up on an elbow on the centre console as I get in and the weak and fuzzy feeling happened again and I sort of slumped in. We went to the doctor who thought I was having a stroke, I wasn't and he had no idea on what was going on, I was able to squeeze my hand into a fist which by this point would cause me to feel weak and fuzzy and in essence pass out without losing consciousness etc. Very strange I know. As we left the doctor I collapsed fully conscoius and my body just refused to move. We went to hospital where the same thing happened (collapsing). Once at hospital my motor functions virtually went out the window, I couldn't get up, move, stand walk etc for about 6 days, talking was hard as was eating. Anytime I did anything that exerted myself I would "pass out". Now when I passed out I mean my body stopped, I couldn't really move apart from my fingers a little, but I was still fully concious and could hear and breath etc (this was the same the whole way through). After 6days I started being able to move and get around very slowly. I still had episodes where if I exerted myself too much, or laughed or got really excited then I would have another episode. I started seeing a psych and had a few appointments which I think maybe helped even though no one knew what the issue was. After 6 weeks of taking it easy I was back to normal, like nothing ever happened.

Camellias Severe Anxiety Awaiting Outcome Of Claim
  • replies: 3

Hello again everyone I have social anxiety on any given day, but since last year I have had severe anxiety due to the unknown outcome of a claim I lodged. The 'not knowing' is causing me to be completely run down. I have completed all three phases fo... View more

Hello again everyone I have social anxiety on any given day, but since last year I have had severe anxiety due to the unknown outcome of a claim I lodged. The 'not knowing' is causing me to be completely run down. I have completed all three phases for disability pension claim(claim, job compacity assessment(OT) & the medical assessment with a govt gp and am wondering what is taking so long for the final tick or cross. Has anyone else gone through this wait? Is anyone else trying to live on poverty line Newstart payments? Both appointments I was blessed with two lovely workers, on both occasions, felt I was a suitable candidate for a disability pension. Ive called so many times the centrelink number to enquire and Ive been told its all scanned and on my file, yet is still with the 'processing team'. I hope I am not the only one going through this. Everything is uncertain without financial stability and my GP is feeling the pressure of the medical certificates he is providing...Im hoping this last one he has given will be it. I lodged my claim in November 2018.

JEF15 Tough week after a hangover
  • replies: 5

Hi everyone, I'm new to the forum, but not to anxiety. I've suffered anxiety, panic attacks & OCD for over 10 years. I take medication, seems to take the edge off, but things trickle through sometimes. This weekend I had a massive night out! My husba... View more

Hi everyone, I'm new to the forum, but not to anxiety. I've suffered anxiety, panic attacks & OCD for over 10 years. I take medication, seems to take the edge off, but things trickle through sometimes. This weekend I had a massive night out! My husband and I had a huge fight and in turn I went out drinking, specially Tequila as I usually forget things easily and really wanted to forget. Problem is, I woke Sunday morning and have massive gaps in my memory and hate it. The anxiety I am dealing with since is getting tough. I can't stand not remembering things, I'm making up stuff in my mind, the 'what if's' are driving me crazy. Im spiralling and I dont know how to stop it. I don't know what I'm needing from this forum, maybe just someone to say they go through it as well, because right now I know I'm crazy, but I cant help or stop it

Tarn9 Overcoming social anxiety to find a job
  • replies: 3

Hello, i have always put off finding a job because of my social anxiety, but now that I've graduated high school I really need a job. I've been able to get myself a job interview, however I'm really worried about how it'll go because I find my anxiet... View more

Hello, i have always put off finding a job because of my social anxiety, but now that I've graduated high school I really need a job. I've been able to get myself a job interview, however I'm really worried about how it'll go because I find my anxiety manifests in physiological symptoms (shaking, fast heart, muscle twitching?, sweating, stomach pains etc) and it gets so severe that I honestly cannot even try to hide it, it just overcomes me and I become a blubbering mess. Unfortunately, talking therapy doesn't really help me because mentally I don't feel anxious but my body acts out if that makes sense?? I'm wondering if there's any possible way I can deal with these symptoms because I'm desperate to get a job, but I'm sick of being held back by this. I find that breathing techniques and such don't do much for it and although I want to see a professional about it I'm too nervous to and wouldn't see one anytime soon anyway as I have no money. The only thing that helps me is alcohol, but I know that's a no go but I'm scared I'll have nothing else to calm me down enough by the time I go to this job interview. Sorry for rambling a bit, I've been thinking about this non stop and am desperate for some help. Thank you in advance!!

Lucy_goose First ever thread. Anxiety
  • replies: 5

Hello, this is my first ever experience on a forum. I have suffered severe Gad on and off over the years. Last epusode was 6 years ago which i experienced intrusive thoughts as well. It has reared its ugly head in recent months and im struggling ever... View more

Hello, this is my first ever experience on a forum. I have suffered severe Gad on and off over the years. Last epusode was 6 years ago which i experienced intrusive thoughts as well. It has reared its ugly head in recent months and im struggling every day. It begsn several months ago when my daughter began having her own anxiety and behabioral issues. The stress brought on my own issues, now im back in the throws of severe anxiety, lots of crying, trying to get through work each day. I doubled my dose of meds which hasnt helped a great deal. Thinking i msy need ti change my meds and try something new. Sometimes that overwhelming fear is just to much to bare. Can anyone please send me some similar stories, especially i hope and recovery. Just an understanding ear would be nice. Thank you.

One_step_closer_to_recove Tough time.
  • replies: 1

Hi All, I am currently going through a medical issues which is causing my live to fall apart which in turn causing my anxiety to run away. About 5 weeks a go my life got turned up side down when I picked up an infection or something that has attached... View more

Hi All, I am currently going through a medical issues which is causing my live to fall apart which in turn causing my anxiety to run away. About 5 weeks a go my life got turned up side down when I picked up an infection or something that has attached my inner ears. For the last 5 weeks I have had a constant screening in my head night and day. In addition to the screaming I am feeling like throwing up and falling over when I walk. I have not been able to sleep for weeks and in turn have not be able to work. As I work through this problem one of the biggest realisations I have come to is how lonely it can be when dealing with something like this. GP only has 15 minutes, wife is carrying but scarred about what is happening to me and how we are going to pay bills, my parents are at an age they do not want to engage with other peoples problems, my kids are too young to understand, brother and sisters have their own problems and family I have move many time is life and never made life long friends. 2am Monday I need to just head up to the emergency department just to try and get help. To help me deal with this issue my doctor has put me on anxiety tablet to try and help me cope. This tablets are adding to some of my issues. I am going to do my best to try and stay on them. After reading some of the post on this site tonight and going through what I am going through I understand how lonely it can be for some people. I have made a promise to myself once I am better I am going to be there for others. Hoping tomorrow will be a better day.

Bunbun ALS or anxiety?
  • replies: 12

Hi everyone. I’ve been getting ALS like symptoms for the past 2 months. I’ve gone to the doctor/doctors a million times and they keep telling me it’s anxiety, but I truly feel like they are wrong.. nothing I do makes these symptoms go away, in fact I... View more

Hi everyone. I’ve been getting ALS like symptoms for the past 2 months. I’ve gone to the doctor/doctors a million times and they keep telling me it’s anxiety, but I truly feel like they are wrong.. nothing I do makes these symptoms go away, in fact I feel like they are even getting worse. Does this happen to anyone else?

sadvet New grad veterinarian and hating it
  • replies: 14

Hi everyone, I always thought it was my lifelong dream to become a vet. But after learning more about the profession at the end of my first year and into my second year, I realised that maybe this isn't something I wanted. Yes, I blame myself for not... View more

Hi everyone, I always thought it was my lifelong dream to become a vet. But after learning more about the profession at the end of my first year and into my second year, I realised that maybe this isn't something I wanted. Yes, I blame myself for not doing my research properly beforehand. I also stupidly thought I was strong enough to handle the challenges the industry throws at me, but was I ever wrong. It didn't help that during my placements, some of the vets actually told me if they had a second chance, they would never have chosen vet. I wasn't failing classes, but I did stop going to them in my second year, and had a talk to a professor that I'm considering for a year off to reassess. She just nonchalantly said I was just getting stressed from my exams. I told my parents this as well but they (especially my mum) strongly discouraged this and made me finish the remaining 2-3 years of the course. Flash forward, I somehow graduated. My partner (who was also a fellow classmate) has made school more bearable for me to actually finish it. However, I was not proud of myself on graduating. Instead, I felt more dread, just thinking that I have to practise soon after. I didn't care that I now have a 'Dr' in my name, heck I forget about it most of the time. I went for career counselling, but my degree is really only useful for landing me a job at a vet GP, unless I'm willing to try for an entry-level job with a corporate company (eg data entry or receptionist at Mars Petcare), which I'd rather not. Now I'm at a GP, hoping that it isn't as bad as I thought. However, my boss is just so harsh. She talks down on me, both in my face and behind my back. She tells clients that 'the new grad vet probably won't be able to do the venepuncture' and that she'll take over after I fail. She also tells me I fail repeatedly when I was unsuccessful at performing a task. Some of the clients come to the clinic because of her, and they act a lot like her too. They get angry when I wasn't able to do something (I already warned them I'm inexperienced) and treat me like dirt. Boss comes in to take over and says it's sad I couldn't do it. Day and night I'm just so anxious. Especially at night, I get panic attacks and I can't enjoy what I normally do cause I'm afraid of time passing by until work starts again. I went to a GP and got some medications. I am also starting counselling sessions soon, but thought I'd like to share my experience here and get some advise as well. Thank you!

Kish14 Struggling with meditation and mindfulness
  • replies: 11

Hey everyone, I've been told so many times how much meditation and mindfulness helps but I seem to really struggle with it to the point where meditation seems to make my anxiety worse. I dread practicing meditation because I get so restless and can't... View more

Hey everyone, I've been told so many times how much meditation and mindfulness helps but I seem to really struggle with it to the point where meditation seems to make my anxiety worse. I dread practicing meditation because I get so restless and can't focus or keep my eyes closed. Whenever it gets me to focus on breathing I struggle because no matter how hard I focus or how hard I try I can't seem to get those nice deep calming breaths that are supposed to help, I just get panic that I am struggling to get the oxygen my body so desperately needs. Also, everyone talks about getting out in the fresh air and going on nature walks, but I don't know about anyone else but this actually terrifies me and I have no idea why. My flight reaction is always triggered and I just need to get out of there as soon as possible, for example, I went on a walk yesterday and the further I got away from my car the more anxiety I would have because my escape route is so far away. I find that it's hard to leave my home because my home has become my safe place where my support is and I just can't seem to support myself, I always long for someone to come save me because I doubt my abilities and just want someone to tell me I'm not as crazy as I think I am. I know all of my fears are irrational, but I don't even understand why I have them because all of a sudden I have a crippling fear of heights or as mentioned before being in nature/outdoors. I just feel like I have no self-confidence with my bodies capabilities and experience so many physical side effects it terrifies me, the biggest one being my breathing all the time I catch myself breathless and I struggle to breathe and I just start to panic and can't stop it. I've been practicing different tools that are supposed to help but sometimes everything is a lost cause and nothing seems to help. I'm sorry I know it's long and disjointed but I've just felt so alone, numb and disconnected and I just want to enjoy the things I used to and not be afraid of living my life basically and I want to become my own main support system, I know it's good to have others around but at the moment I just go running to someone for help instead of helping myself because it freaks me out more when they don't say what I want them to say or don't understand what I'm feeling. Anyway thanks in advance from just another individual struggling to stay on top of anxiety

Scotty2013 Anyone with dual diagnosis?
  • replies: 1

Hi guys been a while, curious anyone else with dual diagnosis? substance abuse issues. Sometimes i find it so difficult managing the both, keeping stable mentally, mood swings etc thanks.

Hi guys been a while, curious anyone else with dual diagnosis? substance abuse issues. Sometimes i find it so difficult managing the both, keeping stable mentally, mood swings etc thanks.