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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.

CMF If you could describe your anxiety in one word, what would it be?
  • replies: 914

There is a thread under Depression just like this so I thought why not start an anxiety one? My word is: Attacking

There is a thread under Depression just like this so I thought why not start an anxiety one? My word is: Attacking

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Ishbel I feel like a failure
  • replies: 4

I am a mum of 6, including 5 with mild special needs. Earlier this year 2 of my children attempted suicide within a fortnight of each other. 1 was due to depression (he has autism) & the other had been bullied at school. I spent so much time taking t... View more

I am a mum of 6, including 5 with mild special needs. Earlier this year 2 of my children attempted suicide within a fortnight of each other. 1 was due to depression (he has autism) & the other had been bullied at school. I spent so much time taking them from therapy to therapy to get them help, that I got very rundown, as I also suffer from rheumatoid arthritis. I was also working as a casual contractor organising events for a company (nothing was happening due to the pandemic). Eventually, after very little support from the new boss at my work, I chose to resign and be there more for my family. I stupidly said to another person that I had no faith in the company as they’d never bothered to learn how to run the conference from me. Also, 1 of the sponsors quit as she only wanted to sponsor the conference if I was running it. Next thing I find my ex boss coming after me with a court case, as he’s panicked. I was the only one who knew how to run the conferences (he/no one else in the new company tried to learn what I was doing or showed any interest) and thinks I might jeopardise his company and take away all the sponsors. He’s wealthy and wouldn’t think twice about ruining someone for his own personal gain. But now I feel even my worthless. I said 1 stupid thing and he’s blown it all out of proportion. We have good lawyers, but I can’t help but think that I’m a failure at everything.

Sadie243 Different Friend Groups
  • replies: 5

Hi there, I have OCD and anxiety and ive had it for 10 years so I know my way around my brain. Lately I've become anxious about mixing friend groups. I belong to multiple friend groups but they are all different. My 2 oldest friends are great but the... View more

Hi there, I have OCD and anxiety and ive had it for 10 years so I know my way around my brain. Lately I've become anxious about mixing friend groups. I belong to multiple friend groups but they are all different. My 2 oldest friends are great but they have completely different interests to me. My boyfriend friends who I get along with really well and have become close friends with have similar interests to me. I always worry and get about mixing those groups together when it comes to having a birthday or social gathering. I always worry that my boyfriends friends are going to judge me on my friends and their interests. My oldest friends boyfriends are also a bit different. They have different interests like gaming and dressing emo. I'm however the complete opposite to all that but I still love my friends. I would love to know how to come about my worries and how to deal with it

misties Not good enough
  • replies: 9

I am having issues with low self esteem, as I get older I am 69. I am concerned that my husband will no longer find me attractive. He tells me I am gorgeous and beautiful holds my hand we have sex about once a month but he has pics of naked beautiful... View more

I am having issues with low self esteem, as I get older I am 69. I am concerned that my husband will no longer find me attractive. He tells me I am gorgeous and beautiful holds my hand we have sex about once a month but he has pics of naked beautiful girls should i be worried that I am not as good as them?

Snowbunny Anxiety Issue
  • replies: 3

Hi there - all of a sudden I have been feeling extremely anxious. About 10 years ago I moved into a house and had a large mortgage. After a few years I decided that perhaps I should sell 2 lovely blocks of land and pay off the mortgage which I did. N... View more

Hi there - all of a sudden I have been feeling extremely anxious. About 10 years ago I moved into a house and had a large mortgage. After a few years I decided that perhaps I should sell 2 lovely blocks of land and pay off the mortgage which I did. Now I just can't get it out of my head that I should have waited longer as prices have gone up and it is really ripping me apart. Does anyone else know what this is like?

ms108 Feeling stuck with perpetual anxiety and depression
  • replies: 4

Hi all, I really need some help. I have been struggling with anxiety and episodes of depression for the last few years, mainly having to do with living in a different country from my own since 17 y/o and needing to maintain a job I really didn't like... View more

Hi all, I really need some help. I have been struggling with anxiety and episodes of depression for the last few years, mainly having to do with living in a different country from my own since 17 y/o and needing to maintain a job I really didn't like to get my citizenship there (mainly to please my parents). I felt deep down angry, frustrated and as a victim, as I felt truly alone and isolated, not doing what i wanted to do and not having anyone to rely on (friends I've made during uni years have moved back to their home countries, as they were internationals too). In 2018 I have met my now partner and jumped into a long-distance relationship which caused a lot of anxiety, as I thought that this relationship would save me from my misery. Fast forward 1 year, I moved with him to Australia - which I really love btw, this is my dream place! I thought it will be really easy to adjust to a new country, having been through so many obstacles before, and in some ways it was. But in some, it wasn't. A lot of my demons and insecurities and fears have come up and added toxicity to our relationship. I was very angry and resentful and hurt - and I've hurt him a lot too. I've gone to Beyond Blue coach before, who was really helpful, but then I got a MHCP from my GP and talked to a number of (ineffective) psychologists, finally resorting to going to a psychiatrist who prescribed me SSRI medication. My partner tries to help me but he doesn't know how to handle my emotions and mood swings and I just really need someone who understands me. We have a community of friends here, however, I don't really click with his close friends which makes it a bit of a suffering experience to hang out with them often. I made some friends but I wouldn't say those relationships are strong enough, people just very busy with their own lives and I don't want to overburden them, even though I need a friendly soul. Importantly - I don't work since 2019, I'm a homemaker, however, I have several business projects. Yet I feel very isolated as I don't have regular social interaction with people and from my past experience seeking some random events to go to just makes me feel more empty and like I'm wasting my time... Bottom line - I feel stuck, disenchanted from all the help there could be - as I tried many different things but nothing seems to work - and desperately want my partner to be there for me in a way that he cannot be. Please help me with advice of what to do and thank you!

Weldermate Anxiety that's overwhelming
  • replies: 5

Hi everyone, I'm trying to find ways to not feel overwhelmed and panic about things.im a over thinker about pretty much everything. And for the last week it's about going to work. I love doing my job and I don't get why it's overwhelming me about goi... View more

Hi everyone, I'm trying to find ways to not feel overwhelmed and panic about things.im a over thinker about pretty much everything. And for the last week it's about going to work. I love doing my job and I don't get why it's overwhelming me about going or doing it. I've been working there in the same place now for 10 years and this has only started to happen about 6 months ago. I had a bad rash that made me panic really badly. And now even the smallest things can set it off. I need to see someone about it but I've been told by friends that this could help as well. I'm every quick to stress about things and need help on ways to work around dealing with it. Thank you for your support.

user9463728 feeling guilty
  • replies: 29

im just gonna get straight to the point. almost 2 years ago i became "obsessed" with blindness. im aware of how ridiculous it sounds. it got to the point where i would spend hours a day researching just about everything about blindness. i decided i w... View more

im just gonna get straight to the point. almost 2 years ago i became "obsessed" with blindness. im aware of how ridiculous it sounds. it got to the point where i would spend hours a day researching just about everything about blindness. i decided i wanted to be blind. at the time i recognised that what i wanted to do was stupid but nothing could stop me. i made up my mind. i began trying to harm my own eyesight. i then told my parents "i had a black dot in my eye" and was taken in for eye scans. they said they could see macular damage on the scan and they even mentioned "we don't know whether this damage will progressively get worse or not." my parents were freaking out and couldn't sleep. i was so happy that this was going somewhere and "i might finally be blind." i didnt realise the stress i put my parents through for something so small. i had many doctors appointments and cost my parents a lot of money. in the end, the doctor diagnosed me with some eye condition that i know isnt what i have. about a month after looking at the sun, i woke up one day and wondered what that was all about. i felt absolutely zero urges to be blind anymore. i was back to normal. its strange because the obsession was so so bad to the point where i was absolutely delusional. but oh, i woke up the next day and boom im fine again. i havent felt any urges to be blind or anything since then. however, ive been feeling so guilty. i want to apologise to my parents for the stress i put them through and i want to tell them everything. ive been getting straight a's and my parents have been so proud of me lately. ive gotten to the point where i cant be around them without the urge to cry. i went out with my mum today. we got food and drinks and she bought me a keyring. ive been crying all night. how can i just accept all this knowing what i did? its not just this instance too. last year i had similar urges and harmed myself. i was totally delusional. when i get "obsessed" with things i just cant think straight. i want to tell my parents soon. do you think i should? will they still trust me?is there something wrong with me? my parents are the only people i really care about and i dont want them to think of me differently.

Daniel_LK91 My anxiety - seeking help
  • replies: 7

Hi everyone. I am new to this forum. I have anxiety and i think that it is ruining my life. I have no friends and cant socialize. I have a job and can sometimes work but lately I have not been able to work. I spend most of my time alone at home with ... View more

Hi everyone. I am new to this forum. I have anxiety and i think that it is ruining my life. I have no friends and cant socialize. I have a job and can sometimes work but lately I have not been able to work. I spend most of my time alone at home with myself but luckily my parents live with me too so it is nice to have them there. I would really like to get myself back on track. I want my life back and want to be "normal" again even though i feel like that is impossible and think that things are only going to get worse. I really do hope to get better and feel better, hopefully sooner than later. Can anybody else relate? Anxiety really does suck. Daniel.

Dean07 Anxiety giving me hiding ATM
  • replies: 10

Hello everyone. I'm self employed and in the process of moving my work to a new premises. I'm finding all the decisions around finding a place and sorting a lease very stressful. Also the logistic and purchasing of new equipment. I have a history of ... View more

Hello everyone. I'm self employed and in the process of moving my work to a new premises. I'm finding all the decisions around finding a place and sorting a lease very stressful. Also the logistic and purchasing of new equipment. I have a history of anxiety over the the last 50 years. Sometimes I'm on top of it other times I struggle. I'm currently seeing a psychologist to help. I've been seeing him for a while and he has been helpful in the past. His current advise is to write things down and proceed based on the evidence, not on how I feel about it. How I feel about the event and how it turns out has historically been wrong most of the time. Most time things work out really well. I know this but I keep trusting my feeling over the likely outcome. The feelings are much louder and I find them impossible to ignore. (I'm not hearing voice just having thoughts). It's as though I don't learn from the previous outcomes. Does anyone have any suggestion for coping with the intrusive thoughts?

44Max44 can't let my guard down in social interactions
  • replies: 4

For as long as I can remember I've always 'had my guard up' during social interactions. I'm super careful about what I say and am always overthinking stuff. It's gotten to a point where I just don't talk to people because I don't want to make myself ... View more

For as long as I can remember I've always 'had my guard up' during social interactions. I'm super careful about what I say and am always overthinking stuff. It's gotten to a point where I just don't talk to people because I don't want to make myself look bad or potentially offend them. I've been at a new job for something like 4 months now and I haven't had a real conversation with anybody there even though I think they're all great people. There's a girl there I want to get to know but every time I get to interact with her I can't bring myself to have any meaningful conversation with her, just the same "thank you, bye" stuff over and over. It's really eating away at me not being able to form relationships with people. Even one of my best friends that I've known for most of my life I barely talk to anymore. Even family members I barely talk to, my own parents and siblings I can barely hold a conversation with. Just being able to tell them that I love them is a huge feat for me and it rarely happens. I'm sick of overthinking everything. It's like there's a filter in my brain and I only 1% of the stuff I want to say actually gets through that filter and out of my mouth. I'm very soft-spoken, I only talk to people when they talk to me first and that's usually just responses to questions, I try to stay out of people's way as much as possible, pretty much I try to make myself as unnoticeable as possible. I don't know why I always have my guard up and I don't know how to let it down. I keep thinking that I've dug myself too far and if I suddenly turn back now and start being open about how I feel and being social with people that it'll just make me look weird and they'll think I'm drunk or high or something. I'm afraid that at this rate if something doesn't change I won't be able to form a meaningful connection with anybody ever. I think that's why I love animals so much, because they keep me company, they don't judge, and they love me unconditionally. I know how animals will act, but people are a complete mystery to me. If it weren't for my pets I don't know where I'd be right now and I'd be so unbelievably lonely. I need to see a psychologist but even making a booking for that is a challenge for me. Every time I've tried they've given me the "we're at capacity" response and that just destroys all motivation I had to get myself help and I put it off for ages. I'm trying to help myself but it feels like nobody wants to help me. I don't know what to do.