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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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Ellie05 I don't know how to understand this or manage it
  • replies: 15

Hello, I'm writing here because I am struggling to come to terms which what I deem 'anxiety'. I've always been a sensitive person and a worrier but in the last four years I've found more and more I've had periods where I cannot cope. Something will h... View more

Hello, I'm writing here because I am struggling to come to terms which what I deem 'anxiety'. I've always been a sensitive person and a worrier but in the last four years I've found more and more I've had periods where I cannot cope. Something will happen and it will trigger an episode. During these episodes I feel physically sick and it's overwhelming. My stomach feels awful, I dry wretch and have diarrhoea. I am unable to sit still and will have to pace around, this includes at night were sometimes I'll have to spend the entire night pacing around rather than sleeping. There have been times where I've gone days without sleeping (might get an hour with a sleeping pill) and am only able to consume liquids. Often I am at a loss because the event that triggered it is so minor and my fear and worry becomes mainly about the experience itself. The thoughts that continues the circle are depressive in nature (I might lose loved ones, I'll never have a family of my own, I'll always be lonely etc.) rather than a fear of an upcoming event or situation. This means there's no end in sight when I have an episode and I never know how long it will be before I'm back to normal. People can struggle to understand why I get so worked up over things I cannot change or that shouldn't be that big of a deal. It's difficult to explain to them that it the illness itself which takes on a life of its own. The only things which ease the distress are walking (which helps to bring the feelings down to a manageable level) and having conversations with other people (somehow this can manages to take me out of the experience all together but it starts again as soon as the conversation is over). The problem is I can't always be conversing with others or walking, especially at night which is the time I dread the most during an episode. I've been on antidepressants for years and they worked well for a long time but do not prevent these episodes. The doctor also gave me some benzodiazepines for sleep (which I taking very rarely, due to their addictive nature) which sometimes work to help me sleep but only if the feelings of distress are not too intense, otherwise they do nothing. I have a hard time understanding what's wrong with me and am convinced there must be something wrong with me physiologically for there to be such an intense reaction to stress. I've not been able to find any information about similar cases online so I wanted to put this out there to see if anyone else has this issue.

Idunno25 A bit about me, where do I start?
  • replies: 3

My first time posting and actually coming to terms with the fact I have anxiety and possibly mild depression. I know ive had anxiety for some time now quite a few years actually, But today was a point where I knew I needed tp get help. I have 4 yr ol... View more

My first time posting and actually coming to terms with the fact I have anxiety and possibly mild depression. I know ive had anxiety for some time now quite a few years actually, But today was a point where I knew I needed tp get help. I have 4 yr old twins and spent the day just wanting to sleep, I didn't want to play with these gorgeous loving little boys of mine. i avoid all situations I know will be hard to handle, taking my kids shopping, driving in peak hour or places im not familiar, social situations, the gym at peak hours, etc. I also think the worst is going to happen all the time.. its exausting. I'm just a shell of the funny, easy going, quirky person i used to be, I have no idea who I have become, i find it really difficult to make/keep friends and I care so much about what everyone thinks of me, I never used to care about this! Can I go back to being the person I once was? How do parents with young children see someone to manage their anxiety? My children arent in kinder or child care, and I have very little family support. I also have no idea how to tell my family, I'm ashamed because I've always had to be the strong one out of my siblings and in my relationship with my partner as he has suffered ongoing depression.

Luna_Eclipse Feel like I'm going crazy
  • replies: 2

I have had the worst week everyday I feel like I'm dying and losing my mind and becoming so angry. I've tried therapists, psychologists and my GP. I'm all alone with no support system and I feel as tho it's time to check in somewhere yet have no idea... View more

I have had the worst week everyday I feel like I'm dying and losing my mind and becoming so angry. I've tried therapists, psychologists and my GP. I'm all alone with no support system and I feel as tho it's time to check in somewhere yet have no idea where to go or how to get there. I need help. and advise

Deano12345 When will it stappp
  • replies: 3

Hey guys just reaching out to chat to anyone that is in a similair situation as me. First of all I feel for everyone that struggles day to day with mental issues. We can only dream of the day where life is how it should be. I am 23 year old male who ... View more

Hey guys just reaching out to chat to anyone that is in a similair situation as me. First of all I feel for everyone that struggles day to day with mental issues. We can only dream of the day where life is how it should be. I am 23 year old male who since leaving school as struggled with socialising due to a very anxious feeling and racing mind. Over time this has lead me to have next to no close friends and my life is far from how I would like it. I feel like depression has creeped on in in the last few years and find myself sounding really dull and quite compared to.a.majority of people. It has gotten to the point work is becoming difficult. I no deep down I am a funny guy but my mental problems mask anyone from seeing this. I always feel so serious n tence when really I just wont to open up and have a.friend. the combination of both depression and anxiety has made me become very quite, seriouse, lonely, sad and I feel like I cant even spark a conversation anymore. It used to be so natural Im just hoping the old me is still there. I sound so dumb at times and feel like my whole thinking process is slowed right down. I have had moments of happines which where caused from me moving out and being forced.to live with mates which after a week or two I felt amazing again. And where I had great belief I was going to.become good again. These feelings of relief where amazing but unfortunately didnt stick as I have fallen back into my old thinking pattern. I find socialising my hardest obsticle and it always reminds me that im no good just reaching out for a chat or any advice even a friend with similar issues. Much love

AinslieB Terribile Anxiety
  • replies: 3

Hi all I'm new here...thought Id drop in. I have had bad anxiety all my life, has got worse in the last 5 years - but well managed and not on meds. My mother had crippling anxiety as well, and depression kind of runs in the family. I have two kids, 1... View more

Hi all I'm new here...thought Id drop in. I have had bad anxiety all my life, has got worse in the last 5 years - but well managed and not on meds. My mother had crippling anxiety as well, and depression kind of runs in the family. I have two kids, 15 and 12. I am having ongoing, crippling panic attacks that one of them will end up with a serious mental illness such as Schizophrenia - particularly as my cousin has it. This fear is paralysing me and I am absolutely convinced this is going to happen. I look out for every sign (my two boys suffer anxiety, my eldest is prone to anger outbursts, and he was born emergency c-section and had allergies etc and medical difficulties - nothing serious - when he was younger) and I can't move, sleep, talk or anything. It never goes away and sometimes I can't even work or function because of this. I read statistics about the chances of this happening and then my fear skyrockets. I don't know what to do - I don't fear anything else (drugs, violence, physical illness etc) but only this. I'm not sure where to go for help - it's a form of hypochondria which I have about myself, too) projected on my kids and I just want to crawl under a bed and sleep forever, wanting the years to pass quickly so that it can just 'happen' and they can be 'diagnosed' and then I won't need to think about it. I don't know if I am irrational or if I have something serious to worry about, if they recurrent odd behaviour. I feel they have a tendency to anxiety but they are doing well at school, lots of friends, have a loving extended family, and very open communicators - very happy kids. I can't stand this anymore - does anyone have a similar anxiety around mental/physical health of their children? I am just convinced this is going to happen.

TheAnxiousMummy What am I supposed to do.
  • replies: 2

Everyday I wake up with an unfulfilled pit. It starts as soon as I wake up to the time I got to sleep. I worry about everything even coming down to what others think of me, even strangers, I feel like I need approval I do need approval to get on with... View more

Everyday I wake up with an unfulfilled pit. It starts as soon as I wake up to the time I got to sleep. I worry about everything even coming down to what others think of me, even strangers, I feel like I need approval I do need approval to get on with my life. My ex partner and I split in January now we have shared care of our 4 year old son. His dad is so horrible to me and he doesn't see it. I get separation anxiety every time my baby goes to his dad's. All week everything gets me down. I'm completely depressed and I'm stuck in a rut, I overthink, I'm paranoid about everything, the things I worry about others think are stupid. I feel like I'm not aloud to show my feelings because I get judged. I don't know what to do but I can't keep living like this, I think I'm pushing those who are close to me away. I don't feel as though I can confine in anyone because I will be judged I've tried counselling it doesn't work. Every week gets worse. Every week I find myself more and more upset. The only think I ever look forward to is my baby coming home. I don't know what to do. Please help me. I just want to be Normal. I don't want to feel so chocked up anymore. I don't wanna feel like this.

T173019 Anxious about food
  • replies: 3

Hi guys, I have struggled with anxiety my whole life and are currently takin steps towards managing it better. Anyway lately I have been feeling anxious towards food. I have a high metabolism so I get hungry a lot but I also struggle with appetite an... View more

Hi guys, I have struggled with anxiety my whole life and are currently takin steps towards managing it better. Anyway lately I have been feeling anxious towards food. I have a high metabolism so I get hungry a lot but I also struggle with appetite and worry if I get too hungry I am not going to be able to eat at all and that will make me feel worse. So I rarely let myself get truly hungry, leading to over eating. I also get low blood sugar easily and get shaky and a bit lightheaded when I don’t have food for a few hours. How can I feel better about this?

hawaii feel like I can't socialize and fit in with everybody else
  • replies: 8

I have suffered with extreme social anxiety and avoidance for pretty much all of my life. But the longer it goes on the more I can't cope with it and not only is the anxiety taking over constantly but am also really depressed because of it. I find it... View more

I have suffered with extreme social anxiety and avoidance for pretty much all of my life. But the longer it goes on the more I can't cope with it and not only is the anxiety taking over constantly but am also really depressed because of it. I find it really hard to talk to people about it. I can't even bring myself to see a doctor. I have in the past tried antidepressants but they often make me feel worse because they upset my sleep so much and make me feel weird. I also don't want to go back to the doctors for repeats or for blood tests. I feel like I'm the only person in the world that can't socialize and fit in with everybody else. I don't even feel comfortable being around family any more. Thanks for listening.

Emily_xx How do I tell the difference?
  • replies: 4

I've been suffering anxiety for the past year and it's getting worse and worse. Not a day goes by that I'm not worried or fearful of something bad happening, even if I know I'm safe. However this is putting me down so much and I'm beginning to avoid ... View more

I've been suffering anxiety for the past year and it's getting worse and worse. Not a day goes by that I'm not worried or fearful of something bad happening, even if I know I'm safe. However this is putting me down so much and I'm beginning to avoid doing normal social things that I'd love and enjoy doing because I try to prevent getting anxiety as much as possible but because it's getting worse and making me upset I'm worried it might be depression and I'm just not aware of it? if anyone has any advice or knows how to tell the difference between just experiencing bad anxiety or depression I'd love to hear them. thanks

Puchilin Back to work
  • replies: 2

I have been with my company for nearly 13 years and once my latest boss came in it was still all good until one year into it where he promoted himself to a higher role obviously with a lot more money etc me as an EA stayed the same but my workload tr... View more

I have been with my company for nearly 13 years and once my latest boss came in it was still all good until one year into it where he promoted himself to a higher role obviously with a lot more money etc me as an EA stayed the same but my workload tripled and I became this unrecognisable person worked long hours weekends I basically adapted to my bosses workaholism but getting no reward nor appreciation. In any case I started putting on weight, I dreaded everyday even walking into the office and preferred working from home ( which certain workers frowned upon ) I lost motivation with my usual running and actually lost motivation or the drive to be at work physically. Mind you I am a single mum of 3 girls as well but for some reason work suddenly was number 1 family number 2 me ..... I was just existing until I decided to cut the cord got my GP to write me off for 3 weeks well I still worked remotely then I had 2 weeks relief but when it came to the time of having to go back to work I couldn’t mentally and physically putting on the mask again I just couldn’t or more like I did not want to. Of course my boss was upset and I admitted my mistakes to him and took full ownership of why I could not. In any case he asked me to see my GP again eventhough nothing is wrong with me I knew I needed more time. He flew out next day to overseas for business and did not even call me eventhough he said he would now I am clueless as to what to do I have been continuing to work from home done everything that has been asked of me I work remotely also for his people overseas but I don’t want to go back to the office since my boss has not spoken to me. I have a medical certificate saying ok to work from 10am-2pm but until he comes back Wednesday 1st of Nov I am clueless as to what I am meant to do.... even HR has not contacted me.....the whole disconnect is extremely bizarre.... i am basically at a loss so is my GP by the way. i don’t even know what is going on no one calls me follows up with me not even HR? Guess I am just worried of getting fired I rather resign first. i know this not just about anxiety and being burned out this is actually not normal behaviour especially when on does not know or get told what their expectations are. i don’t know I also feel guilt when I don’t go eventhough I shouldn’t. i need some feedback please.