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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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Ferry Keene Chronic pain, anxiety and relationships
  • replies: 4

I'm on the Gold Coast and looking for professional help.My wife has chronic pain (fibro&cfs - mainly stomach, nervous system, fatigue) going on for almost 2 decades. She is a little better than house-bound, but not by much.Neither of us have a suppor... View more

I'm on the Gold Coast and looking for professional help.My wife has chronic pain (fibro&cfs - mainly stomach, nervous system, fatigue) going on for almost 2 decades. She is a little better than house-bound, but not by much.Neither of us have a support network. She needed to separate from her family. My family are not supportive people. She can become very anxious and often feels hopeless.She has undertaken ~8 of psychology sessions recently that has helped with reframing her pain and looking for hope (RAIN)Sometimes our dynamic causes breakdowns. I put in a lot of effort to get this right, but it's too complex and too big.I am looking for a psychology recommendation to work with chronic pain and couples. Gold Coast, if possible. She doesn't like CBT and says it does nothing for her. Thank you

Bellanana Summer and winter fear
  • replies: 1

I get anxiety during summer and depression during winter. Are there any tips or tricks I can do?

I get anxiety during summer and depression during winter. Are there any tips or tricks I can do?

SolZeus Health Anxiety - I can no longer function
  • replies: 1

Hi all, I've had a long history of anxiety. Received treatment in the past for other anxiety disorders. However, over the last two years I have been preoccupied with my health. To the point where my anxiety has led to panic attacks and SEVERE drop in... View more

Hi all, I've had a long history of anxiety. Received treatment in the past for other anxiety disorders. However, over the last two years I have been preoccupied with my health. To the point where my anxiety has led to panic attacks and SEVERE drop in work and parenting performance. I can't stop. I had some tests done last year which sparked it all off. I was worried about cancer, have done a whole battery of tests and each and everytime, the anxiety gets too much. I am currently freaking out about oral cancer and am seeing an ENT to get some mouth issues sorted. I keep Googling. I keep reading up on symptoms, I keep panicking and it just never ends. I am so overwhelmed. My work has SIGNIFICANTLY suffered, as has my parenting. People tell me not to stress, but as a father of a young child, I am petrified of having cancer and no longer being there for her. Everytime I think of it, get completely overwhelmed. I don't want to leave her, I don't want to be sick. That's all I keep thinking. My GP has put me on medications, but that's caused its own issues (insomnia, sexual dysfunction, apathy). I have tried some therapy, but it just gets too expensive (psychologists are now charging over $200!). I don't want to be like this anymore. Test after test, checking on medical symptoms...it's too much.

MK1991 Suffering from Health Anxiety
  • replies: 3

Hi All, I am 39 years old healthy male, who never had any major health issues in my life. For the past few months, I have been suffering from health anxiety and fear if I will wake up the next morning or not. It all started from a light puffiness und... View more

Hi All, I am 39 years old healthy male, who never had any major health issues in my life. For the past few months, I have been suffering from health anxiety and fear if I will wake up the next morning or not. It all started from a light puffiness under my eye and I started fearing cancer, had my eyes and skin tested multiple times and even had a brain CT scan done (Yes I know I exposed myself unnecessarily to the radiation, and now I fear the side effects of those ). I have a young family (3 kids under 10) and I do get anxious about their future and if I am not there until they reach a mature age. I have had a few sessions with Psychologists (via my workplace Offer) but still cannot get over this anxiety. I have a hyperactive brain that is always looking for answers and I start googling as soon as I have some sensations or palpitations. I think I have tinnitus as well. I have tried recently to avoid googling symptoms and going out for walks regularly, but on the other hand, my mind keeps on telling me to have a brain MRI to rule out any issues. Looking forward to hearing from you people on how to effectively manage my anxiety. Read a lot about the CBT, which is the next step with my psychologist. Thanks

Julianana91 Afraid of building falling
  • replies: 10

Hi guys I really need help. Could anyone give me some advice? I’m currently living in a high rise building, when it’s windy, the wall of my unit makes unbearable creaking sound. The problem is, this really triggers my anxiety. I can’t even control my... View more

Hi guys I really need help. Could anyone give me some advice? I’m currently living in a high rise building, when it’s windy, the wall of my unit makes unbearable creaking sound. The problem is, this really triggers my anxiety. I can’t even control my feelings. I’m so afraid that the building would fall. And I start to get nervous again when I see it will be windy in the next 4 days. I really need help to ease the nervousness. Don’t like this feeling at all. Any suggestion? julianana91

Ritzy Anxiety
  • replies: 2

This is a weird oneI have anxiety attacks when I’ve got to leave my home town and go somewhere by myself This happens even when I’m just going to visit my friend at her house, I’m a volunteer at the local dog shelter which is my happy place even goin... View more

This is a weird oneI have anxiety attacks when I’ve got to leave my home town and go somewhere by myself This happens even when I’m just going to visit my friend at her house, I’m a volunteer at the local dog shelter which is my happy place even going out here causes anxiety I won’t go into a shop I’ve never been too before by myself, I try to avoid going to friends get togethers when there are going to people I don’t knowi get the pounding heart, the shaking limbs, feel sick, my mind just races, I’m constantly stressing I won’t have all my morning tasks completed, I get tight muscles and offen a headache I’ve gotten so worked up that I’ve had to cancel appointments that have been important even canceled visiting friends has any one else had this happen I do the mindfulness, I keep busy, or I do the opposite and try to chill ect but nothing helps

Ontheoutsidelookingin Socially anxious and lost
  • replies: 2

Hi thereI have always had some form of anxiety, and social anxiety has shown up in the past in friendships, at school etc but recently it is getting me down so much. I work in a small team of mostly female 22-32 and I’m a bit older at 40 and the only... View more

Hi thereI have always had some form of anxiety, and social anxiety has shown up in the past in friendships, at school etc but recently it is getting me down so much. I work in a small team of mostly female 22-32 and I’m a bit older at 40 and the only mum. They are all pretty close and socialise outside of work. I recently returned back to work after maternity leave on a part-time basis and I feel very out of the loop and lonely at work - not expecting these girls to be my friend but it is even hard to engage in short conversations without getting the very strong impression they don’t want to be there. We had a Christmas party last night and there were so many conversations happening around the table that I wasn’t a part of. I go out and put on a brave face and keep hoping things will change but they’re not. My manager spoke to most people individually but not me and I know it’s because I’m so very awkward when I do chat to her the odd time. I’m hoping things will change and they’ll get to know me better but I find it so hard to just be myself and be relaxed in conversations. I feel awful as I end up talking through so much of this with my loyal husband, though I am planning to see gp this week for a psych referral. I have been through therapy after my first child was born for postnatal depression and anxiety and it helped but I felt frustrated that I was still having the same conversations twenty sessions in. Not sure what I’m looking for maybe just some solidarity or hope that it will get better. Thank you

David35 triggered by mums medical chores
  • replies: 8

I have been getting panic attacks recently triggered simply by medical chores, such as filling scripts, helping mum recover after tooth surgery, trying to answer her myriad of questions. After living with her cancer treatment for 2 years she has lite... View more

I have been getting panic attacks recently triggered simply by medical chores, such as filling scripts, helping mum recover after tooth surgery, trying to answer her myriad of questions. After living with her cancer treatment for 2 years she has literally done my head in. Now the small things blow up into big things. If she's constipated, she must have bowel cancer, after all her mum did. If she has an age spot, it must be skin cancer. The problem is that now its affected me. I literally snap and start yelling. The stress of her cancer treatment, the way she has been stuffed around by GPs and pharmacists over scripts for anti anxiety medication that have been revoked 3 days after her treatment stopped. How do I stop reacting so negatively to such a simple task? I just want the old mum i once knew back.

Bellanana My brain is telling me to not trust anyone
  • replies: 2

My brain keeps telling me that no one understands what I'm going through so they can't help me. Or that they just want to get it over and done with. Or that they are lying to me. It just won't stop. I'm afraid that no one actually cares about helping... View more

My brain keeps telling me that no one understands what I'm going through so they can't help me. Or that they just want to get it over and done with. Or that they are lying to me. It just won't stop. I'm afraid that no one actually cares about helping me or understanding what I'm going through, and are instead just trying to get me to suck it up. I'm scared. What do I do?

Patches89 Pregnancy News: Can't feel the happiness.
  • replies: 1

Yesterday, we got to know that m pregnant. My partner and I had always wanted to be parents. But we are not feeling that happiness after the news. We are more stressed than happy. We are unmarried. Even if it doesn't really matter to us but it is sti... View more

Yesterday, we got to know that m pregnant. My partner and I had always wanted to be parents. But we are not feeling that happiness after the news. We are more stressed than happy. We are unmarried. Even if it doesn't really matter to us but it is still a taboo in our community to become pregnant before marriage. Its not like we did not want to get married but every time there is something or the other happening in our life that would mess up our plan. So we thought we will have the baby first then get married coz I felt like my biological clock is ticking. m 34 and i had seen a lot of my friends my age who are struggling to get pregnant. Now that it finally happened, I feel numb and at the same time overwhelmed with all different kind of feelings. My brain wouldn't stop talking. I have no one to talk to except for my partner(who is equally stressed) coz I do not want to break this news to anyone yet. Why m I not happy? Is this normal to not feel happy? I feel guilty.