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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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Nic80m Panic attacks
  • replies: 3

Anyone have any tips on how to sleep after a panic attack?

Anyone have any tips on how to sleep after a panic attack?

Mjtsb Public speaking
  • replies: 3

I'm desperate for some help I am basically having panic attacks almost daily thinking about a speach I have to do at uni! Public speaking is one of my worst fears I hate it, normally I just completely avoid these situations but I can't get out of thi... View more

I'm desperate for some help I am basically having panic attacks almost daily thinking about a speach I have to do at uni! Public speaking is one of my worst fears I hate it, normally I just completely avoid these situations but I can't get out of this otherwise I'll fail! I go bright red, stutter, can't make eye contacts, get restless sweaty and feel generally ill and can't concentrate! Is there anything I can do to help myself?

Ivy_blossoms Need help! Anxiety or Depression
  • replies: 1

Hi all, This is my first post here. Hope to get some help... Last week my husband and I were watching tv and I out of nowhere suddenly felt a racy heart beat, deep breathing, suddenly burst out crying badly not knowing why. All the negative incidents... View more

Hi all, This is my first post here. Hope to get some help... Last week my husband and I were watching tv and I out of nowhere suddenly felt a racy heart beat, deep breathing, suddenly burst out crying badly not knowing why. All the negative incidents keep playing a loop in my mind and cant get over them easily. I had lot of trouble pushing myself up to go to work the next couple of days. Over the last 6 months or so I have been having phases of highs and lows- terrible mood swings- during my highs i feel excitement, motivated and also have a racy heartbeat and sometimes body shivers. And during my dull phase its crying spells, lethargic, frustrated, angry and feeling hopeless. This has been going on for a while now and each phase stays for a week or so till i feel okay. Never really asked for a help but now feel the symptoms are getting worse.. Its been 3 years in Australia- I have always been a reserved/introvert/ sensitive person but now i don’t like talking to people, get really intimidated by people and scared, avoid a conversation and just like to be alone. Talking to people gives me jitters and shivers. Nothing seems to interest me and i feel detached from my parents/ friends. cant seem to bond with anybody- hardly have one or two friends here. Hate doing household chores and feel everything i do takes so much of my effort which wasn't the case before. Sometimes i feel i get detached from the surroundings. Weird sensation, feels like a dream/ surreal? For a few seconds/mins not aware of the surroundings, during that time the light seems very bright all of a sudden and cant understand where I am? its feels weird but i'm unable to explain what i feel. I was diagnosed with depression when i was 17, had come out of it with the help of meds. Never had anxiety then. Now i'm 26 and cant seem to figure out what i have now is anxiety or could it be relapse of my depression? I'm feeling nervous to type this post as well as its my first post in here. Thanks!

Beanie018 When you don't even know yourself
  • replies: 1

I have been through anxiety and depression for many years. I am now 29 it all started about 12 years ago. 4 years ago was my first experience with anxiety, after months of struggle I finally started getting better. Much better that I stopped my medic... View more

I have been through anxiety and depression for many years. I am now 29 it all started about 12 years ago. 4 years ago was my first experience with anxiety, after months of struggle I finally started getting better. Much better that I stopped my medication and hadn't experienced any low moods or panic attacks for 4 years. Lately it's all come back and what feels like twice as hard this time. I feel like I'm on the outside looking in and I don't know who I've become. I don't have family here as they are all overseas. I have a partner of almost a year but don't live with him, he doesn't understand it and I have started to distance myself from him. My doctor has just started me on medication again and I'm working up the courage to call to book counselling sessions. It scares me not knowing who I've become or why this is happening again. I feel alone in this uphill battle and don't really know where to begin to start feeling like myself again... advice please

vala2017 I am back and worst then ever
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone, I had some health anxiety last year which cleared up with some time, but am now in a worst state then how I was last year. I now get these really obtrusive disturbing thoughts that come from I do not know where and they scare the hell ou... View more

Hi everyone, I had some health anxiety last year which cleared up with some time, but am now in a worst state then how I was last year. I now get these really obtrusive disturbing thoughts that come from I do not know where and they scare the hell out of me. I have been diagnosed with OCD and am seeing a psychologist about it, but they are away at the moment and not sure who else to turn to in the meantime. I feel scared and alone and cannot relax. Can anyone share any stories of how they have overcome this to give me some hope......I was a happy and fun person before this but now feel a shell of my former self. I really don't know how much more I can take and my anxiety is giving me anxiety! Please share some success stories to help me get by this difficult time. Thanks.

Safeasmilk Recommendations for podcasts
  • replies: 5

Hi all, I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for podcasts in the areas of motivation, inspiration, wellness and self help etc thanks ben

Hi all, I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for podcasts in the areas of motivation, inspiration, wellness and self help etc thanks ben

Superdry87 Panic attack calm down
  • replies: 5

Hi everyone, I mostly just came here to try and calm myself down. I need to feel connected to people or talk to people when having a panic attack. Also wondering if there are other people out there that have an panic attack so bad that you vomit? I d... View more

Hi everyone, I mostly just came here to try and calm myself down. I need to feel connected to people or talk to people when having a panic attack. Also wondering if there are other people out there that have an panic attack so bad that you vomit? I don't usually have a problem with anxiety attacks, not for a long time. I am on medication for scitzoaffective disorder and when it is making me tired and I fight it, this is when i seem to have panic attacks. As mentioned, I really just came by to calm myself down. Thanks for reading

jade-elizabeth Fear of relapsing - Eating Disorder
  • replies: 4

Hi All This is my first post, so has taken me a lot of courage to write (and I hope I have done ok!) In 2014 I was "officially" diagnosed with anorexia. Although looking back, I have always had a strange relationship with food. I was obsessive about ... View more

Hi All This is my first post, so has taken me a lot of courage to write (and I hope I have done ok!) In 2014 I was "officially" diagnosed with anorexia. Although looking back, I have always had a strange relationship with food. I was obsessive about counting my calories, comparing what I ate to those around me. I soon began skipping meals, and distanced myself from all my friends. I found myself at a very unhealthy weight, and with severe depression and anxiety as a result of the thoughts that consumed my life. I was lucky to have the most amazing support network (my family) and health professionals around me, and I managed to re-gain a healthy weight within 12 months. During the initial recovery period I suffered severely with binge eating. Since 2014, I have resumed University study (which I had to withdraw from due to my illness), began working full-time, and become a gym junkie! Exercise has been my saving grace, as it has given me something else to focus on, and introduced me to a variety of new people. It has also helped to teach me that food is necessary to maintain the energy levels I need to train the best of my ability(I am very competitive). I have been training in the gym everyday for a year now, and I have put on a considerable amount of muscle in that time. Therefore, my PT suggested that I give the gyms 8 week nutrition plan a try to help further increase my muscle mass. I didn't even think twice, as although I still struggle with some obsessive food thoughts from time to time, nothing has been extreme for a number of years. I have been on this nutrition plan for only a week now, and I constantly have the urge to binge eat. The food is substantial, and although I am feeling tired (de-tox from sugar), I am not hungry. I have binged twice in the space of that week, but it is consuming my thoughts. I dont really know what is causing these feelings, perhaps the fact that I'm not in control of my food? I really want to see results in my training, so I know this nutrition plan is the best for that, but I am so scared of getting my old eating habits and thoughts back. Does anyone have any advice, or has anyone been in this situation?

sagejacob DSP for anxiety/panic attacks etc.
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone, My name is Sage and I'm 19 years old, and it's my first time posting! I'm currently going to attempt to apply for DSP for my anxiety/panic attacks that have been persistent for as long as I can remember (but seem to have been getting wor... View more

Hi everyone, My name is Sage and I'm 19 years old, and it's my first time posting! I'm currently going to attempt to apply for DSP for my anxiety/panic attacks that have been persistent for as long as I can remember (but seem to have been getting worse as time goes on and more responsibilities become present). I'm currently working usually a max of 9 hrs a week as a pizza delivery driver but afraid to ask for a solid max of 9 as my partner and I are relying on this job to get by and my boss doesn't seem the type to be understanding and empathetic - especially to mental illness, but that could just be a bad assumption. Also I am currently taking medication and other tablets (for migraines) but none of which seems to really be effective. Currently I'm having to take additional medication before work so I can function and do my job without panicking but still have my partner on speaker phone for many of my travels. And honestly, I feel as though I am at the very edge of my capabilities and have been pushing myself so much I'm not sure how long I can keep it up. Luckily my shifts are only 3hrs long (maybe a bit over if we're busy) and it's only a 5 minute drive from where I live, but even so all the stress is giving me the worst stomach pains and muscle aches. I think my doctor wants my medical cert. to say I'm not fit to work in general but will see what my psych says soon. Anyways I was wondering if anyone has been in this sort of situation here and could offer any words of advice or encouragement? If you have read all of this thank you and I hope you're having a great week

Denv12 Lonelyness in SA. Ocd,agoraphobia and cfs contribute.
  • replies: 2

Hi. My personal life is bad.I live on my own,I have agoraphobia,cfs and recovering from ocd.I have 1 social visitor every week and 2 people helping me with my shopping once a week.The chronic fatigue means I dont have enough energy to go anywhere and... View more

Hi. My personal life is bad.I live on my own,I have agoraphobia,cfs and recovering from ocd.I have 1 social visitor every week and 2 people helping me with my shopping once a week.The chronic fatigue means I dont have enough energy to go anywhere and agoraphobia set in because the cfs keeps me at home all the time.I am alone a lot.I even have the symptoms of lonelyness where because I've been on my own too long I've been miming my own thoughts. The only way I can stop the miming thoughts is to have people in my life everyday.I need conversation.So much for trying that idea.I'm in many forums for all my problems.I still cant find new friends locally.In the time I've posted in this forum and the previous one nothing has changed in my lonelyness.The intenet gives me something to do by helping others and get through a day but not finding new friends in person.Can anyone relate to that? I have email contact with several internet friends but no companion.I cant even get into a relationship.How can you meet someone for a potential relationship in my situation? I'm lonely.Its that simple.Considering what I'm going through I dont get depression.Major bonus.No depressiion what so ever.I'm lucky there.