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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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Gloria___ Good relaxation apps
  • replies: 4

My anxiety is through the roof , I am I need of some good relaxation apps to download so I can try and relax and stop overthinking so I can go to bloody sleep,I am exhausted, started back on my anxiety tablets today but I think I am going to need som... View more

My anxiety is through the roof , I am I need of some good relaxation apps to download so I can try and relax and stop overthinking so I can go to bloody sleep,I am exhausted, started back on my anxiety tablets today but I think I am going to need something to help In the meantime:(

WorriedDad13 My health Anxiety
  • replies: 8

Hi everyone, I’m at the end of my rope, im exhausted every day, im worried every day, im illogical with myself every day and I just can’t seem to turn any of it around. Every day I go to work and put on a brave face, meanwhile I am ‘testing’ any symp... View more

Hi everyone, I’m at the end of my rope, im exhausted every day, im worried every day, im illogical with myself every day and I just can’t seem to turn any of it around. Every day I go to work and put on a brave face, meanwhile I am ‘testing’ any symptoms I think I have or do have and am attributing to a major issue. Most recently 4 months ago my baby boy started day care, since then my wife and I have been sick pretty much non stop. I currently have swollen glands in my body, so does my wife. Logically I know that we most likely both have the same thing and we’re both run down so it’s lasting a while (over a month so far) however my anxious mind is telling me I have cancer and my wife is going through her own non lethal illness. I’ve been to a psychologist before, I gave up after 4 sessions because I couldn’t see it working. I don’t know what to do anymore. theres no question in any of that, I’m not hoping for much to come of me writing it, I just had to get it off my chest.

mynameismaddie Advice needed
  • replies: 3

I suffer with anorexia, anxiety, depression and OCD. I have been receiving treatment for the last 10 years but am still struggling. Anyway I wanted some advice about an upcoming dinner. I can’t eat in front of people and have to eat at the same time ... View more

I suffer with anorexia, anxiety, depression and OCD. I have been receiving treatment for the last 10 years but am still struggling. Anyway I wanted some advice about an upcoming dinner. I can’t eat in front of people and have to eat at the same time and eat the same things everyday. Usually I just avoid social occasions which are sit down meals but I would really like to go to this dinner as it involves a presentation I am interested in. I am also sick of missing out on everything. I don’t know how to go though without it being very embarrassing and I don’t know how to explain the fact I am not eating. Does anyone have any suggestions on how I could still attend without making a scene or is it best just not to go?

Elizabeth2601 Health Anxiety - Colonoscopy
  • replies: 4

Hi all, I am hoping that someone can help me. I suffer with serious health anxiety - I have been seeing a psychologist but it is not seeming to help, she suggests trying to be mindful but I can't concentrate on anything. There are factors that have m... View more

Hi all, I am hoping that someone can help me. I suffer with serious health anxiety - I have been seeing a psychologist but it is not seeming to help, she suggests trying to be mindful but I can't concentrate on anything. There are factors that have me concerned, I am so worried that I have cancer. I have a colonoscopy scheduled for tomorrow and I can't breathe I am so stressed about what it will find. I am 33 years old, overweight and have a one year old little girl, I keep imagining not making it to her 5th birthday or even her 2nd birthday. I feel like I have brought cancer on myself because of an unhealthy lifestyle. I just wish I could calm down and stop thinking about it.

pip123 I feel like im going crazy.
  • replies: 2

Hi guys, Im new to these forums. Just seeking some advice. I feel like im causing myself to feel like im going crazy. My brain just keeps over thinking and over thinking and then i think because my brain just wont stop i am going crazy. Someone pleas... View more

Hi guys, Im new to these forums. Just seeking some advice. I feel like im causing myself to feel like im going crazy. My brain just keeps over thinking and over thinking and then i think because my brain just wont stop i am going crazy. Someone please tell me this is just my anxiety?

CE36 My anxiety keeps me from leaving the house
  • replies: 2

I am 28 and have had anxiety for about 10 years. Although I do wonder if I had it even longer but the real symptoms started to show around 18 -19 years old. In the last 4-5 years it has gotten worse to the point where I avoid leaving the house. I don... View more

I am 28 and have had anxiety for about 10 years. Although I do wonder if I had it even longer but the real symptoms started to show around 18 -19 years old. In the last 4-5 years it has gotten worse to the point where I avoid leaving the house. I don’t have a job because of this and it’s really starting to effect me financially. Because of the financial worry it’s then making my anxiety even worse. I’m aware of it, I know it’s a problem, I know what I need to do, I listen to words of advice. But then I do nothing about it. It’s been like this for years and I just can’t break the habit. I have been to a GP to get a mental health plan - about 6 years ago when I first realised it was a big problem and then again about 3-4 years ago. They were two different doctors and also two different psychologists that I saw. I had about 5 sessions with the first one and 2 with the second one. Although it was nice to unleash some emotions, and hear some of their ideas for grounding and breathing exercises, I didn’t exactly find any of it helpful. Like I said before, I listen to advice but it’s like it goes in one ear and out the other and my mind doesn’t absorb it as something that would help/fix me. Both of the GP’s suggested I go on antidepressants. The first I said no to and the second I said ok. Got the pills from the chemist. Took one pill then left the box in the cupboard. I hear a lot of people saying don’t take anti depressants as it’s just a bandaid etc and not good for you so I suppose that’s why I am hesitant to take them. I’ve been thinking about getting a new script for some and giving them a go but just to make things worse for myself I also hate the idea of going to see a GP and telling them my story. The thought of it makes me sick to the stomach. I wish there was a way I could do it online, I’m very easily able to write everything down but I hate the thought of speaking about it. It makes my throat go tight like there’s a ball in there just thinking about it. I really need to get a job so I need to get my anxiety under control. I’ve had jobs In the past (just casual jobs at supermarkets, warehouses etc) I had trouble going to basically every shift and I guess I think about how I hated those jobs and that probably makes me assume I’m going to hate any job and therefore I just avoid it. But i really want to change this thought pattern! I cant expect my partner to keep paying for things I can’t afford etc.

JaneMansfield Chemical or Acutal Anxiety
  • replies: 4

Hello, This is my first time here, so a little nervous. Over the last week I have been dealing with horrible physical anxiety which I can’t get a hold on. Can’t sleep well. Am awake early in the morning and have a constant pounding heart. The back st... View more

Hello, This is my first time here, so a little nervous. Over the last week I have been dealing with horrible physical anxiety which I can’t get a hold on. Can’t sleep well. Am awake early in the morning and have a constant pounding heart. The back story is I’ve been dealing with a nerve condition for many years and have been on two different types of antidepressants for about 4 years to help with the condition. I also get headaches due to TMJ. The issue is that lately pain meds and even anti anxiety meds have the opposite effect of what they use to have. They make me awake and wired instead of calm. I need to take them from time to time but I’m so scared to due to their opposite effects. I had a pretty emotional week last week and almost had what felt like a nervous break down and now I’m finding even a drowsy antihistamine makes we feel wired not sleepy or calm. And I now have these constant physical anxiety symptoms. I just don’t feel calm or tired. I’m exhausted but not tired and I’ve lost weight. My Dr said I can come off the two antidepressants I take for nerve pain as they are a low dose but I’m scared of the nerve pain and just stopping then all of a sudden. I feel like they are now contributing to this feeling of restlessness, and severe anxiety, but I don’t know if my symptoms are due to the chemicals in the drugs or it’s just me going through a rough patch. I don’t deny I have anxiety but I’ve never had such strong symptoms especially whilst taking antidepressants even at their low dose. They usually keep me stable and help me sleep. I usually sleep a lot. I’m doing Headspace and trying to keep calm but I’m worried that i’ll never feel normal or calm again. I don’t want to go outside or socialise. I just feel so scattered and exhausted.

Itzaprocess Trust Issues
  • replies: 1

I already had a shakey relationship with trust from past experiences. Going through a relationship break up last year, I am now finding that in these past weeks my trust issues are starting to morph into a fear to interact with anyone, even the thoug... View more

I already had a shakey relationship with trust from past experiences. Going through a relationship break up last year, I am now finding that in these past weeks my trust issues are starting to morph into a fear to interact with anyone, even the thought of leaving my house/my room brings about a heavy, tight feeling in my chest, knots in my stomach and a shaking in my knees. Does anyone have any knowledge on what would help me work through this so that this doesn't progress any further and reverse itself?

louisaoooo emetephobia
  • replies: 2

Hi, I am 16 years old and I have had emetephobia (fear of vomit) for as long as I could remember. This is a common phobia that still sounds very odd to many people. A few years ago, it got so bad that I wouldn't eat anything although I am able to eat... View more

Hi, I am 16 years old and I have had emetephobia (fear of vomit) for as long as I could remember. This is a common phobia that still sounds very odd to many people. A few years ago, it got so bad that I wouldn't eat anything although I am able to eat most days now (sometimes I can't still), it is staring to get really bad again and I feel helpless. I have seen a psychologist for about 5 years and done many forms of therapy (CBT, hypnotherapy, EMDR), none of which has worked to stop my phobia from taking over my life. I have strategies that help my panic attacks and ways to make my thoughts more rational, none of which has stopped this debilitating fear from letting me live my life happily. My doctor prescribed me with antidepressants and I had to stop taking them as they made me feel suicidal and I had really bad emetephobia panic attacks that made me feel like i was going to faint. I am having a breakdown today because it is getting to a point where I am finding it hard to cope everyday with this constant fear in my head. I got prescribed the contraceptive pill for medical reasons and I took one pill and had countless panic attacks because it was listed as a side-effect, after reading that I could not stop worrying and panicking so I now refuse to take the medication. I have trouble taking prescribed medication because I read to much into it. My doctor tells me to stop doing it but I can't stop myself. I feel like to reduce my anxiety I need to know what could happen but it only makes me anxiety worse. I feel like I am letting myself down as I can not bring myself to do things that I want to do/need to do. I am feeling helpless, I feel like I can't be happy encase I somehow jinx myself and get unwell. I know its irrational but I just can not stop thinking about it and I feel depressed because of it. It's difficult because nobody in my close circle of people understand and just say things like "just eat" or medication is not that bad" or "your just making it worse for yourself" which I understand all of those statements are true but that doesn't stop the constant worry I deal with everyday. Any advice? Thanks for taking the time to read this.

Little_Miss_Overwhelmed Job hunting anxiety - needing some good vibes!
  • replies: 5

Hi everyone, I joined a few days ago because I've been experiencing some terrible anxiety around looking for a job and reading some of these threads made a huge knot in my stomach loosen a little, so thank you all so much for sharing. I'm 24, in the ... View more

Hi everyone, I joined a few days ago because I've been experiencing some terrible anxiety around looking for a job and reading some of these threads made a huge knot in my stomach loosen a little, so thank you all so much for sharing. I'm 24, in the middle of a PhD, initially wanting to be an English scholar but now keen to just be in the world and have a job I enjoy and that I can balance with being a writer. My scholarship is running out soon, so I've started applying for hospitality jobs because that's where my experience is and it's an industry I really appreciate. My problem is that a) I haven't been in a physical workplace for about a year, so I'm nervous about diving back in, and b) my previous workplace was a traumatic place, mostly because my boss was a bully and took his stress out on people around him during busy periods. I eventually quit because I had convinced myself that I was incompetent and made a huge mistake. So I have a few bad memories that are making it difficult to feel confident, and that are stopping me from applying for jobs that I objectively know I can learn to do. The very first job I've applied for, I got to the final interview and had a complete breakdown, cancelled the interview over text, couldn't get out of bed for two days, etc. As soon as I felt confident again I got offered a trial shift at a restaurant, and again completely fell apart and cancelled. It's taken me a long time to feel confident after that, and I'm worried it's going to just keep happening. My anxiety gets in the way of me actually wanting a job. I sometimes have to stop myself from sabotaging an application, or dressing sloppily for an interview. I'm so anxious about not getting a job in the next month or so, but I'm also anxious about actually getting a job. Either way, the outcome terrifies me. But over the top of all of it is this huge guilt because I know that if I'd just been able to get my act together I could have been employed months ago. Honestly would just love to hear some stories from people who have overcome their job hunting anxiety and proven to themselves that they can do anything. J x