Anxiety

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.

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.

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?

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.

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

Sick of Anxiety

replies: 10

Hi, I am so sick of my life being ruled by anxiety, I have so much going on in my life and just feel so overwhelmed. Today was really hard, I had to go to work but just freaked out and had a complete meltdown and resigned on the spot. I get so scared... View more

Hi, I am so sick of my life being ruled by anxiety, I have so much going on in my life and just feel so overwhelmed. Today was really hard, I had to go to work but just freaked out and had a complete meltdown and resigned on the spot. I get so scared and terrified of the panic attack. I know that's what it is but I feel I am at a point where I just can't beat it and just want to run and hide and hope it will go away, but it won't. I overthink everything and can be such a negative person. I am actually so embarrassed to admit I have it. I can't eat certain foods because I get sick, so now a restricted diet too. Just a bit over it all. I just feel so hurt, and embarrassed, everybody says just get on with things and not to worry about what other people think. Supposedly I take everything the wrong way to and overthink everything. Sometimes I just wish I could have some peace from everything going on in my head, it just never stops and I am so angry at myself for being so stupid, knowing its anxiety but am letting it rule my life. I just wish I could wake up in the morning and it was gone, gone forever. I find it really hard to even leave home sometimes just that fear of being sick which has happened in the past just terrifies me. I have friends but am so embarrassed by it that I never talk about it.

Not knowing

replies: 2

Hey guys december last year my ex and I broke up, I felt like a needed space. Until now we have been hanging out here and there when we broke up she said will we ever be together I said anything is possible. I had no clarity in the relationship being... View more

Hey guys december last year my ex and I broke up, I felt like a needed space. Until now we have been hanging out here and there when we broke up she said will we ever be together I said anything is possible. I had no clarity in the relationship being a young idiot I didn’t realise what I had till I had nothing. we had dinner a while back and mid meal I realised I’d been searching for the girl sitting in front of me I’ve never been good with emotions but I felt this time it was real love again. I opened up to her giving her everything I felt for her. She said she likes being alone and doesn’t have the love for me like she used too. This tore me to shreds. We were good friends after the breakup and I thought there might of been something still there to try. she still replies too my texts and keeps saying she isn’t ready for love again. But every time I ask or open up she pushes me away further i asked the question if she thinks there is a chance for us in the future the only thing she says is I don’t know and she doesn’t know. I’ve spoken to her friends and they have said she still loves me on multiple occasions. Im just wondering why she keeps pushing me away when I want to be there for her, I’m crazy about this girl and have fallen head over heels for her again. But she doesn’t feel the same way. The anxiety of the maybe is killing me and light of which to what maybe. cheers guys

Mental Health at work

replies: 2

Hi there, This post is in regards to my husband. He works very hard, minimum 12 hours a day, he’s up at 3.30 every week day and most nights getting 5-6 hours sleep. We have 2 young children who are 4 and 1. He only really takes time off for Big holid... View more

Hi there, This post is in regards to my husband. He works very hard, minimum 12 hours a day, he’s up at 3.30 every week day and most nights getting 5-6 hours sleep. We have 2 young children who are 4 and 1. He only really takes time off for Big holidays or when our children have been born, it is rare he’ll take a sick day. He has 14 weeks of sick leave not taken, 6-8 weeks annual leave and 12 weeks long service. He’s always been an anxious person but it has gone up a level the past couple of years. He’s forgetting a lot, every day things and important things, he’s starting to have panic attacks, has quite servere ocd, he needs to set 2 alarms for the morning and this takes him half an hour to do. He has recently seen our gp and has been referred to see a counsellor. My question is, can he take time off for mental health? I’m suggesting a few weeks to just get away from the work situation and perhaps work out if a new job would provide a lot of benefits to our/his situation and to get on track with the counsellor, basically just stop and look at what is making the problem worse. Has anyone taken a fair amount of time off for a situation like this or similar? Many advice would be appreciated Thank you x

New relationship anxiety/ocd

replies: 2

Hi bimmerdude101 here I recently got into a new relationship with this fantastic girl. Its been 2 weeks since we started dating but we have known each other for around 5 months. Anyway i am plagued with unwanted intrusive thoughts such as doubt. I ha... View more

Hi bimmerdude101 here I recently got into a new relationship with this fantastic girl. Its been 2 weeks since we started dating but we have known each other for around 5 months. Anyway i am plagued with unwanted intrusive thoughts such as doubt. I have had terrible ocd for over a year now suffering from Harm ocd which i have recently been able to get better at dealing with. I feel as though my ocd is effecting my relationship. It convinces me that i dont actually like her and i should break up with her despite the fact that she makes me happy. I have heaps of ambivalence towards the relationship. Some days i will be sure i like her and sure i want her but then other days my mind plagues me with thoughts of doubt for example i should break up with her i dont like her, all im going to do is hurt her and things wont work out. These thoughts a really distressing and cause me to feel very anxious all the time. I am always so confused to whether these are ocd thoughts or if this is actaully how i feel. my previous relationships i felt like i was falling or fell in love with them really quickly (keep in mind my first relationships where before i had ocd and i was also 16 and 18) now that im 20 and have struggled with a year of ocd i feel as though i have changed allot. For this girl i struggle to feel emotions all i can feel is anxiety i dont know how to open up my feelings and really tell how i feel about her. We have been taking things slow but i just dont feel as though there is that lust stage or the dopamine you get when you are falling in love. Although i do feel so comfortable around her and can be myself. All these things really cause me to doubt why i am dating this girl... on the other hand i love spending time with her and she makes me really happy. sometimes i do get glimpses of that i love her but not often. she has such a nice family and is such a fantastic girl. she is probably the most stable and amazing girl i have shared time with actually. We get along super well. I have been googling every day for like 2 hours about how to feel in a relationship and i feel as though that is a compulsion that i need to stop. Anyway i am so scared to lose this girl but im so sick of the doubts in my head. Can anyone with rocd or had similar experiences help please. Regards bimmerdude101

Why does anxiety cause loss of appetite & how to get it back?

replies: 25

Every time I get bad anxiety I completely lose my appetite. Just the smell or thought of food makes me feel sick. But after a while, my body starts to tell me it wants food, even though I can't bring myself to eat it. The hunger pangs begin to feel a... View more

Every time I get bad anxiety I completely lose my appetite. Just the smell or thought of food makes me feel sick. But after a while, my body starts to tell me it wants food, even though I can't bring myself to eat it. The hunger pangs begin to feel a lot like the anxiety itself, so I find it makes me worse. Does this happen to everyone? And if so why and what can you do to get food inside you?!

Pinned discussions

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All discussions

My anxiety keeps me from leaving the house

replies: 2

Chemical or Acutal Anxiety

replies: 4

Trust Issues

replies: 1

emetephobia

replies: 2

Job hunting anxiety - needing some good vibes!

replies: 5

Sick of Anxiety

replies: 10

Not knowing

replies: 2

Mental Health at work

replies: 2

New relationship anxiety/ocd

replies: 2

Why does anxiety cause loss of appetite & how to get it back?

replies: 25

Anxiety

Hi! Check out this post if you're not sure how to start replies: 0

My anxiety keeps me from leaving the house replies: 2

Chemical or Acutal Anxiety replies: 4

Trust Issues replies: 1

emetephobia replies: 2

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

Sick of Anxiety replies: 10

Not knowing replies: 2

Mental Health at work replies: 2

New relationship anxiety/ocd replies: 2

Why does anxiety cause loss of appetite & how to get it back? replies: 25

Hi! Check out this post if you're not sure how to start

replies: 0

My anxiety keeps me from leaving the house

replies: 2

Chemical or Acutal Anxiety

replies: 4

Trust Issues

replies: 1

emetephobia

replies: 2

Job hunting anxiety - needing some good vibes!

replies: 5

Sick of Anxiety

replies: 10

Not knowing

replies: 2

Mental Health at work

replies: 2

New relationship anxiety/ocd

replies: 2

Why does anxiety cause loss of appetite & how to get it back?

replies: 25