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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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Kindness_is_beautiful My anxiety and compulsive overthinking
  • replies: 4

I have struggled with what has recently been identified as social anxiety disorder and OCD. The anxiety started out as unpredictable, serve panic attacks that could be triggered by just a thought. I would break out in what looked like red, lumpy hive... View more

I have struggled with what has recently been identified as social anxiety disorder and OCD. The anxiety started out as unpredictable, serve panic attacks that could be triggered by just a thought. I would break out in what looked like red, lumpy hives all over my chest and my thoughts would race rapidly, making it difficult to get my words out. My heart would race and I felt faint and like I couldn’t breath. After being medicated for a month, my attacks completely subsided. For the first time I felt a little in control. But I am still struggling with the fear of judgment and overanalysing of conversations. Whether it be a conversation at work, amongst friends or family, lately every conversation I have I walk away feeling defeated thinking ‘why did I say that’ or ‘why didn’t I say this instead’. I feel unintelligent and irractic when I talk. Like I can’t stick to a topic or opinion, I get lost in thought. My mind runs back and forth over the conversation wondering what the other person is thinking of me. I feel a little embarrassed and vanrable sharing this but these thoughts are exhausting and I am hopeing that someone out there who may have/is experiencing something similar can share some techniques that could assist me to manage them. Appreciate any suggestions/advice.

Italianstallion91 Recurring worries After minor car incident
  • replies: 1

So I have suffered depression and anxiety for a long time now. And as we all know some of the things we worry about are silly and we know it. However my particular problem I am battling about is the worry about wetting myself because of a slipped dis... View more

So I have suffered depression and anxiety for a long time now. And as we all know some of the things we worry about are silly and we know it. However my particular problem I am battling about is the worry about wetting myself because of a slipped disc that happend 10 years ago. I have been seeing a psychologist about this and he said himself you have nothing to worry about and would know by now and the only cases that happens is from major car crashes and falls. Well it was only yesterday I had a minor car accident although as we all know with depression and anxiety we blow it out of proportion. And now the worry has come back full force with the pins and needles in my leg and feet like before. Does anyone have any advice or tips to battle this ? And I know it's stupid but it's so hard to get over

Rae1505 Today I went to my GP..
  • replies: 4

I have struggled with anxiety since my early teens. (I am 32). It started small, never being able to do oral presentations at school. Never wanting to stand out. That horrible sick feeling when you walk past a certain group or person for no apparent ... View more

I have struggled with anxiety since my early teens. (I am 32). It started small, never being able to do oral presentations at school. Never wanting to stand out. That horrible sick feeling when you walk past a certain group or person for no apparent reason. I have always managed on my own. I knew what I had, but never felt the need to have it typed under my name in a file by a doctor. But I am struggling now more than ever before. It is effecting me in ways I can’t control and is becoming unmanageable for me. So I went and saw my GP today.. burst into tears and fell apart like the mess Im accustomed to being. Somehow I managed to get out “I have anxiety issues”.. which is barely the tip of the iceberg. Nonetheless, she listened and she took me seriously. Which is really all I wanted. Someone to not just sweep it under the rug. She sent me for a blood test to check my thyroid and some other things. I have an appointment next week for results and a mental health care plan. She’s referring me to a psychologist and we will be discussing meds at some point. Full on day. i got home and spoke to my husband who seemed more annoyed at the potential cost of it all. He also said I should only tell immediate family and don’t make it a constant “topic of conversation”. I’ve never been one to do this. In fact I’ve kept it to myself for almost 2 decades.. so I’m not sure where his comments have come from. I feel a bit sad about that. anyway.. hopefully a change is on its way. The first step is the hardest as they say..

benisaterribleperson Is it anxiety? If so, what can I do to help?
  • replies: 2

Hello, I'm new here and I've really only joined to ask this question. I'm only 14, but I fear I have anxiety or I will have anxiety if I don't do something. The past year or two I've been in high school, and I've been getting supet stressed about my ... View more

Hello, I'm new here and I've really only joined to ask this question. I'm only 14, but I fear I have anxiety or I will have anxiety if I don't do something. The past year or two I've been in high school, and I've been getting supet stressed about my marks on tests and completing homework, and being a procrastinator doesn't help. On top of that, I'm also worried about my cousin who's boyfriend of two years suddenly left her and is now in hospital for mental help. I've also got my closest friend, who I'll call K for now, who seems to have a mild depression or something like that. I try my best to help her and encourage her to seek professional help, but I still fear I don't do enough to help her, and I'm running out of time to help her. Another person, who I'll call T for now, that's my girlfriend, seems to have a bunch of mental issues, I seem to be discovering more about it every day. She has anorexia, and has apparently been on anti depressants aswell as help from professionals for over a year and a half, and she now doesn't take anti-depressants or listens to much of what they say. As well as all that, I'm so terrified of my future. A WWIII could be called at any moment, house prices are onlygoing up and wages are only going down, college costs are already expensive and haven't got amy sign of getting cheaper. Climate change is a much bigger issue then thought, in a couple of decades my city will probably be underwater. I'm going to book an appointment with the psychologist tommorow, to see if they can give me a professional diagnosis. Again, do you think I have anxiety, and also what are some small things I can do to avoid/recover from anxiety? Also also: how can I help my friends?

james1 conflict aversion
  • replies: 5

Hello, I have come to notice that I have a serious aversion to conflict. Not just my own conflict with others, but also conflicts where I am not even involved. I get really worried and anxious and just generally on edge and I usually try to help more... View more

Hello, I have come to notice that I have a serious aversion to conflict. Not just my own conflict with others, but also conflicts where I am not even involved. I get really worried and anxious and just generally on edge and I usually try to help more than I should. I am comfortable (well, I know how to deal with) conflicts that involve me, but my anxiety around conflicts to do with other people is hard to deal with, especially since I know I shouldn't get involved and hence can't do anything. Any thoughts/ideas?

VegeHead When workplace culture brings everything to a head
  • replies: 4

Hi everyone - first time poster, but I feel like I need to talk to people who may understand. After years of what I consider low key depression, handled ok during that time with meds, I've had a major meltdown. I had to have a week off work 10 months... View more

Hi everyone - first time poster, but I feel like I need to talk to people who may understand. After years of what I consider low key depression, handled ok during that time with meds, I've had a major meltdown. I had to have a week off work 10 months ago, because I felt so overwhelmed with anxiety from the job. I'd never felt anxiety like that - where you feel so trapped in thought processes of confusion. My meds were increased and I had talks with my boss to rectify some of the issues. All went well for a while, until the same stressors crept back in and I started to feel like nothing had been resolved. I've battled on through these past months, with another increase of meds during that time, but something snapped in me last week. I was hearing other staff laughing and carrying on as I perceive they do alot, with my boss saying to me, "have you done this"..."Could you fix that issue"...and I thought that's it, I can't do this anymore - I can't be the "backbone" of the place (as I've been called by other staff), while my perceptions of the culture within the workplace diminishes. So I just left and went home - got a medical certificate for 7 days and here I am. I have also now put in for an extra two weeks leave on top of it - giving myself time to figure things out and try to feel better. I work in a small team environment, where I'm senior to others in age and experience, but considered on the same level in my role title. It's been an occupation that I enjoy, but I just can't seem to overcome the thoughts that overwhelm me throughout the work day. New staff come in and others latch onto them for the social aspect, management of staff could be better- I just feel overwhelmed. It's an issue that always seems to rear it's ugly head with me. There are other factors in my life over the years that have contributed to the way I am - I've had to be the "strong one" through some traumatic times which include - lost my husband to illness 5 years ago - I'm estranged from two of my adult children - I know these are also factors which have contributed to me not 'being strong'. I'm in therapy and doing a lot of inner work and am actually prepared to leave this job without another one lined up. It scares the hell out of me, but makes me frustrated to think I'm leaving because I can't handle the culture that place has become - or what I perceive it has become - that they value the social aspect over the work aspect. I feel in a mess of late. Thanks for listening.

Fred22 Am I crazy
  • replies: 2

Hi start a new job in a few days - something I trained for and always wanted - I have great support from my new managers so why am I so anxious - feelings I’ll fail, make mistakes, useless, fraud etc ?

Hi start a new job in a few days - something I trained for and always wanted - I have great support from my new managers so why am I so anxious - feelings I’ll fail, make mistakes, useless, fraud etc ?

AlliS Physically sick from all the stress
  • replies: 3

...and that's just making me more stressed! I don't know at what point I stopped having fun at work and started feeling overwhelmed. I work in a high pressure job and got a new manager recently. The leadership team hasn't been willing to support our ... View more

...and that's just making me more stressed! I don't know at what point I stopped having fun at work and started feeling overwhelmed. I work in a high pressure job and got a new manager recently. The leadership team hasn't been willing to support our team to alleviate the pressure and this has really impacted morale. Over time I've started to feel a sense of helplessness as I can't seem to find another job (not for lack of trying, I've applied to over 80). To top it off my psych is making me date. Dating pushes my stress levels through the roof and I don't know how to handle it. That being said, my homework is a different kind of stress and I would definitely say work is the issue. I've lost interest in my art and music pursuits. I don't see my friends, I'm too tired. I'm lightheaded and nauseated. My appettite is on and off. My skin is horrible, I'm losing hair. I've developed sleep apneoa and wake up several times each night. My dentist, psychologist, optometrist, two doctors, friends and family are telling me to get out and I can't and I'm so trapped. I don't know what to do. Has anyone else been in this situation? Will it get better?

Scatterbrain Drug Trigger
  • replies: 4

Hi all, I’ve recently started having anxiety, worse than I’ve had in years. Been to Dr and am in the process of changing meds, however I’m struggling big time at work...I’m a care assistant who handles medications, and I have developed a paranoia tha... View more

Hi all, I’ve recently started having anxiety, worse than I’ve had in years. Been to Dr and am in the process of changing meds, however I’m struggling big time at work...I’m a care assistant who handles medications, and I have developed a paranoia that people think I’m on drugs, or that I steal them...the mention of the word “drugs” now sends me into a hot flush and I feel guilty as heck, and all for no reason!!!! Which of course then makes me LOOK guilty!!!! Anyone else had this? Any ideas on how to get past it would be most welcome, thank you!

Eyre Turning down a job opportunity
  • replies: 4

Hello. I’ve not written on this forum before. I have said yes to an amazing job opportunity but now I know I can’t do it. I know I’m going to feel humiliated by turning it down because I’ve told people already. for the last 2 weeks (since interview) ... View more

Hello. I’ve not written on this forum before. I have said yes to an amazing job opportunity but now I know I can’t do it. I know I’m going to feel humiliated by turning it down because I’ve told people already. for the last 2 weeks (since interview) I’ve been unable to function properly, the only th8ng I want is to turn down the job offer and hide. How do I say no without disclosing my mental health issues? I don’t know why I said yes! This happens all the time, I say yes and then retreat. They already knew I had other chronic health problems- I have multiple autoimmune diseases that cause severe fatigue and chronic pain. Im not entirely sure why I’m writing this, other than to get it off my chest.