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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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Maisie-E Anxiety issues I think
  • replies: 2

Always feeling run down, tired, heart rate fast, sore neck and shoulders, and headache, and patience isn’t great, don’t sleep well

Always feeling run down, tired, heart rate fast, sore neck and shoulders, and headache, and patience isn’t great, don’t sleep well

confusion Boyfriend with porn addiction
  • replies: 2

My boyfriend and I have been together for 2 years now and about a year ago I found porn on his phone I had never discussed porn with him or how I felt about it. After finding it I confronted him and I was very upset and disheartened. He told me he’d ... View more

My boyfriend and I have been together for 2 years now and about a year ago I found porn on his phone I had never discussed porn with him or how I felt about it. After finding it I confronted him and I was very upset and disheartened. He told me he’d stop but months later I found more through reddit and YouTube. I gave him multiple times to try and tell me but he kept denying and lying to me. After I told him what I saw he apologises and we talked about boundaries again. He started downloading wellness apps to help with his addiction. However this has happened and he has lied to me 3/4 times since about stopping and then me finding it. I have lost so much trust and it has ruined my self esteem and am always anxious about what he might be doing. He has not watched porn for about 5 months as I’ve been told but he has told me he searches up porn stars/bikini models on Instagram but “does nothing with it”. I feel defeated and not sure what to do. I feel guilty in getting so upset about this and constantly questioning myself despite him trying his best and telling me

Maggie S TMS Experience
  • replies: 3

Hello there, I am currently on antidepressant and antianxiety medication. I have severe anxiety and have recently been treated with ECT for major depression. My psychiatrist is considering TMS - has anyone experienced this treatment? My current sympt... View more

Hello there, I am currently on antidepressant and antianxiety medication. I have severe anxiety and have recently been treated with ECT for major depression. My psychiatrist is considering TMS - has anyone experienced this treatment? My current symptoms are more anxiety than depression. I’m experiencing overwhelming dread/nervousness, an underlying ‘jittery’ feeling, derealisation, stress.

sharichan Do I have OCD?
  • replies: 2

I love stationery - specifically notebooks, for as long as I can remember. Growing up, Mum would take us kids to the nearest mall each week, and she knew best to leave me alone on the stationery section. I can literally stay there for hours. It have ... View more

I love stationery - specifically notebooks, for as long as I can remember. Growing up, Mum would take us kids to the nearest mall each week, and she knew best to leave me alone on the stationery section. I can literally stay there for hours. It have no idea what it was, but there is just something magical about touching the feel of the paper, how the book itself is bound and the many print options available. Back in the day, there was a trend of collecting “biodata” from classmates. Notebooks and diaries would get passed around and we would fill out our personal details, favourite things, etc. Not a surprise, of course I participated in this trend. However, I couldn’t pinpoint what it was that made me feel that something was not quite right with it. Was it the handwriting? Or how the pages were filled out? In the end, I would rip out the notebooks, buy new ones, get people to fill it out again, and repeat the process. Of course I didn’t think much about it at the time (I was a kid after all), but this wasteful habit pretty much stuck with me for at least 20 years, even today. I did the same back in high school. Countless of times, the course notes I have written would feel wrong - be it the handwriting, the colour of the pen, the pen pressure, or even a little smudge. Again, I would rip the pages, and rewrite them again either on the same notebook or a new one. I love buying diaries, planners and the like. But I can’t seem to dump this habit of mine and keep a full book It really is such a shame because I used to love writing in journals and those memories are pretty much gone. It seems like this habit sort of creeped into my workalike too - even digital stuff. I would type things out on Word, and for instance, if a certain paragraph does not seem right, be it in font, spacing etc, I tend to have the urge to re-type the entire paragraph over and over again until it is “perfect”. Is it a waste of time? Of course. My question goes, is this a form of untreated OCD? Anyone experienced the same and what have you done to manage it?

Chrissy M Anxiety, new job
  • replies: 6

Hi my name is Chris,I was always suffered from anxiety. Well recently I started a new job and my anxiety has got out of hand. I feel overwhelmed, stressed (migraines) can't think straight, not my happy relaxed self, I am physically and mentally a wre... View more

Hi my name is Chris,I was always suffered from anxiety. Well recently I started a new job and my anxiety has got out of hand. I feel overwhelmed, stressed (migraines) can't think straight, not my happy relaxed self, I am physically and mentally a wreck at work. I an also dislexia, so I learn hands on, and pick up new skills slower. Being a single person this puts more pressure on me. Please help any ideas to help overcome this negative mindset.

raq Scared to fall asleep coz u won’t wake up or don’t feel real
  • replies: 3

I get scared to fall asleep everynight because I think I’m not going to wake up or I’m going to be in a bad dream or something bad will happen, I also don’t feel real and get worked up and get to scared to sleep. Right now I feel butterflies in my st... View more

I get scared to fall asleep everynight because I think I’m not going to wake up or I’m going to be in a bad dream or something bad will happen, I also don’t feel real and get worked up and get to scared to sleep. Right now I feel butterflies in my stomach because I don’t feel real and scared I’m going to sleep and never going to wake up

JacintaMarie Hi
  • replies: 11

Hi, How are you? Back again, been doing really well & had an panic attack, did manage to fix myself, breathing in and out, in and out and had a better afternoon. I got triggered at work by someone at work's stress, it's their personality so they can'... View more

Hi, How are you? Back again, been doing really well & had an panic attack, did manage to fix myself, breathing in and out, in and out and had a better afternoon. I got triggered at work by someone at work's stress, it's their personality so they can't change & its not right for me to be judgemental & it's up to me to deal with it, but I failed & I don't know how to deal with their adrenaline, they are a go go go person. The type of person who is always stressed out l. I need to learn how to switch off, as Mum says, I'm going to come across these people again & again. The fault is mine! Not them. And I made mistakes too at work & people will think I'm an idiot! Sorry, I've been doing really well

swimming_duck Shoplifting and impulse control
  • replies: 2

any suggestions or advice welcome. I consider myself a swimming duck.Cool, calm and collected on the surface with legs struggling under the water where no one can see. I have a good job, a great bunch of friends and supportive partner but underneath ... View more

any suggestions or advice welcome. I consider myself a swimming duck.Cool, calm and collected on the surface with legs struggling under the water where no one can see. I have a good job, a great bunch of friends and supportive partner but underneath I get anxious episodes and have impulse control issues. While I don’t have depression I have anxious episodes which can last up to 2 weeks and can drive me to shop lift - I was once caught about 10 years ago and received a documented official warning from police (one of the worst days of my life). I spent many years free from the urge to shoplift but the Covid lockdowns re-triggered this behavior - 2 years ago. I have managed to keep my binge eating under control which is something I am proud of. When in an anxious spiral I am driven to shoplift and then reflect on my shoplifting - which turns into paranoia (or possibly a genuine fear) that the police are building a case against me. I am then driven to often return the items and either put them back or pay for them - seemingly without anyone knowing. Items can range from a drink at coles, to a diary or candle from a shopping centre. I spend many nights sleepless thinking about how I have been given so many opportunities and am on the verge of destroying it all with my stealing impulse control. while I see a psychologist, appointments are so hard to get and not as frequent as I probably need during an anxious spiral. Questionsdoes anyone know of any podcasts, audiobooks or resources that can specifically support impulse control? has anyone else successfully overcome something like this? To end the paranoia is this something I should call the police about? Considering I have had a warning in the past this could result in serious consequences.

raq Not feeling real and panic attacks
  • replies: 7

Hi, I’ve suffered from multiple things that include depersonalisation and they can’t seem to pin point what. I wake up every day not feeling real and go to sleep that way too. I’m constantly battling my Brain into deciding what’s real and what’s not ... View more

Hi, I’ve suffered from multiple things that include depersonalisation and they can’t seem to pin point what. I wake up every day not feeling real and go to sleep that way too. I’m constantly battling my Brain into deciding what’s real and what’s not and if I’m truly alive. I get constant panic attacks and even when I learn to deal with it it starts again but more severe. I’m tired of constantly being. Scared and feeling like I’m dying and having fears over things I can’t control and especially getting scared over the future which I haven’t lived yet. Would be amazing if someone could help me get rid of it or cope I’m feeling like I’m on my last strings it’s getting more scary everyday. Also I’ve had this since I was in year 5 I’m currently out of school and 21 so I’ve had it for a while!

Speechless Having a nervous breakdown
  • replies: 7

I cant stop this terror inside me, i am constantly having anxiety attacks throughout the day and night and cannot relax at all. if im able to function, its because ive taken L Trytophan powder with some soy milk but i still have lingering panic insti... View more

I cant stop this terror inside me, i am constantly having anxiety attacks throughout the day and night and cannot relax at all. if im able to function, its because ive taken L Trytophan powder with some soy milk but i still have lingering panic instilled in me.i cannot function, i cant not stop crying and feeling extreme anxiety and upset. Its non stop.i have GAD and depression and was finding things really hard this year due to my only friend and his schizophrenia and substance abuse and also having to drive my parents everywhere due to my dads car actually catching on fire in the driveway on our acerage. His car was not insured. I havent been well for years but last year and the year before was panic things that happened but resolved but i kinda got burnt out. i have written on here before about things. I live on 5 acres of land which i love and i have my chickens, i live with my parents and our neighbours are so far away. Great views of the valley and a house facing north to catch the sun. All these values have been here in this family. Its been part of my identity, my home and ive lived here since 1997. its semi- rural. ive been trying to cope this last year and since, always tied up in bed if i wasnt driving my parents or lending my car to my dad. I have my little pet dog with me everywhere i go in the car and i have loved feeding wild birds at home. But i havent socialised except for my friend with schizophrenia. Ive basically been a recluse all my life and im 40 years old female. ive been trying to get on my feet when my dad out of nowhere brought in a real estate agent into the house to value it ( we did a clean of the house) and then whilst the agent was here my dad said that we were going to sell this place soon, first i knew of that same with my mum. But dads like that, installing fear into me and grief literally. To make it worse, he told me that mum and i have to find a house for us all within 2 months because he wants to sell this place ( my cherished sanctuary) within 2 months so he can have money left over to play with essentially.so our block of land is worth a bit, and he wants us to find a medium - cheap priced house so that he can invest the rest in silver to try and raise money for my sister so she can have a house because he had alot of money invested in some shares which has been in shutdown for a year due to court cases and corruption. That was his way of raising revenue to get my older sister who is a single mum and a bit of a narcissist i may add a house too, but i think dads tired of waiting. So hes instilled tremendous fear into me. I am in a nervous breakdown, i think i have agoraphobia and have for some time. I have never lived close to people like an urban thing. The move is from a rural place which is incredibly private into a house somewhere in the same tourist town but not rural. I have to give up my chickens and say goodbye within 2 months all of a sudden when i cant cope or function and have to have this looming fear over me. Just to even think about neighbours and fences next to me ive always detested and part of my identity has been where i live. Just even thinking about it breaks me down. Just to even look at realestate online i have to go thru anxiety attacks really bad and then put myself back together. I cannot function and feel incredibly the worst ive ever felt. Just sheer terror, my home is being ripped from under me at a time when ive been really ill and im supposed to look for a place within 2 months? I feel incredibly ill with my stomach and anxiety. i see a counselor but shes $$ and i cant see her regularly shes not on the medicare yet. But i have a gov scheme i maybe able to bump some free sessions wih another counselor. But how am i expected to cope with all this because i really need assurance and someone to help me tell me everything be ok etc. my parents don’t understand a bit, my mum is partly deaf and my dad might be on the spectrum slightly. Mum doesn’t understand why im like this. I don’t understand how they can just go about their day without breaking down because of the fear of this situation.