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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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Abal Coping with depression, anxiety and ocd
  • replies: 4

Hi my name name is al. I suffer from serious ocd and anxiety. I was originally diagnosed in my late teens with anorexia so I believe the depression and anxiety along with the ocd stems from there. I am a clean freak and I clean constantly if I’ve tou... View more

Hi my name name is al. I suffer from serious ocd and anxiety. I was originally diagnosed in my late teens with anorexia so I believe the depression and anxiety along with the ocd stems from there. I am a clean freak and I clean constantly if I’ve touch one thing I feel it’s dirty and I have to clean the whole area or room I have enter with any small touch. It’s extremely disabling and I wondered if anyone had a advise or is going through something similar.

A_Marie Anxiety and nightclubs
  • replies: 2

I have had anxiety and depression for years (since I was a kid). I am in my late 20s now and manage my mental health reasonably well now with mindfulness and medication. But recently, my anxiety has created a new symptom - panic attacks in nightclubs... View more

I have had anxiety and depression for years (since I was a kid). I am in my late 20s now and manage my mental health reasonably well now with mindfulness and medication. But recently, my anxiety has created a new symptom - panic attacks in nightclubs! I get the fight or flight response kicked and usually have to leave straighaway. I only calm down when I get outside. I'm not sure if it's the alcohol or due to a recent incident when I got harassed by a stranger and touched on the back. Does anyone else have panic attacks in nightclubs? I'm cool as a cucumber in bars where the noise is not as loud, concerts and I see live bands play all the time. Thanks for reading.

Luna50 Work Anxiety
  • replies: 1

Hi everyone I'm a long time sufferer of anxiety and a classic over thinker. I had a change in career earlier this year but the job never really took off and I wasn't exactly sure what my role was supposed to be. All that aside I got through it becaus... View more

Hi everyone I'm a long time sufferer of anxiety and a classic over thinker. I had a change in career earlier this year but the job never really took off and I wasn't exactly sure what my role was supposed to be. All that aside I got through it because I had a good team around me. A couple of months ago that changed and my team was disbanded and I was moved to a new department. My role is the same but the department I work for doesn't really have anything to do with me so now I don't have a support network and I feel very very lonely and isolated and all the anxieties I was able to control before hand have got completely out of control. I sit there everyday wondering what I'm doing there and I'm extremely bored with the little work I do have and sitting there for 8 hours with not much to do distresses me. On top of that my new boss could not be more different to my old one, he's extremely busy and our roles have virtually no cross over so that adds to the loneliness because I don't feel like I'm part of a team. As a person he's a really nice guy but I've raised my issues with him twice now and nothing has changed. I was once told have a fear of being bored and I think thats one way to sum up my anxiety. I obsess about how I'm going to fill in 8 hours a day and how I'll get through the week. I set my self mini goals just to get me through to Friday but then I start thinking if I'm that miserable why am I still sitting there? I get jealous of people who are busy and it almost becomes child like - why does their day get to go quick and mine doesn't?? Its completely consuming my life, I go home and stress out about it. All weekend I think about resigning but Monday comes and I back out because I'm worried being unemployed and on my own at home all day will be even worse for my mental health than being employed in a job I hate. Its becoming a vicious circle. I have an appointment this week for a referral to a psychologist and I'm booked in for the following day so I'm taking action. I've also started applying for new jobs so I'm trying to get myself out of the situation. Would be great to hear any coping strategies or similar stories. Thanks for listening. Luna50

2manyTabs So lost. What to do when nothing helps?!
  • replies: 2

I am a 34yo Mum of 4. I have been diagnosed with high-functioning GAD, which to me basically just means I have learnt to hide it very well (a practice which is exhausting). I have been on medication for just over 5 years: All SSRIs. I have also been ... View more

I am a 34yo Mum of 4. I have been diagnosed with high-functioning GAD, which to me basically just means I have learnt to hide it very well (a practice which is exhausting). I have been on medication for just over 5 years: All SSRIs. I have also been to 4 different psychologists over the years and done a 6 week mindfulness course. The thing is... nothing works. My body is almost constantly in fight or flight mode, I am always hungry, always tired. I excercise a lot because it is the one thing I can control and relieves stress (temporarily). I get jumpy, teary, and then completely flat. I can act completely “normal” for the kids/work/in public, and people often comment on how I have it “all together: how do you do it?!” Which is such a joke because whenever I am alone I fall in a heap. I have no one I can talk to about my anxiety (except the psychologists, who cost a bomb and haven’t helped). Breathing/meditation sometimes works for the time I am doing it but within minutes of finishing I am anxious again, so it’s a waste of time. I know this all sounds so negative but I am frustrated at having no idea how to fight the monster in my head.

Guest_98 Total confusion am I just being a sook?!?
  • replies: 2

So when around to many people I get really nervous to join in on conversations I can’t look at people in the eyes I actually don’t even no were to look when a group may b having a conversation near me coz I feel like if I say something it’s gona be t... View more

So when around to many people I get really nervous to join in on conversations I can’t look at people in the eyes I actually don’t even no were to look when a group may b having a conversation near me coz I feel like if I say something it’s gona be totally wrong and stupid and I wish I would have just kept quite, I always feel like people lie to me like constantly I have major trust issues, then I get a feeling as if they think I lie to them?! I tend to say things I truly don’t mean like saying yes to things want to say no to or things like that.... I will think and rethink situations in my mind all the time it drives me crazy, Wishing I did things differently! I care what people think of me way to much I think they all think I’m just a weirdo, I tend to not be able to be around people for to long because I think there getting bored of me and I’m annoying them and it all comes back to not being able to hold a conversation.... but then at the same time sometimes I don’t wana be alone but I don’t wana talk to anyone eaither.... I have a constant feeling that I need to be changing my job or my life i tend to stay at a job for 2 years or need something going on in my life because if I don’t then get really nervous and I feel as if I’m gona get fired or something so I’ll quit and start again somewhere new.. or I moved to Queensland For a bit and then I went on an overseas holiday for 5 weeks and now moved out of home but still now have this feeling I need to do something again.... it’s not a good feeling I get!! I’ve worked so hard to get my little flat but just have this terrible feeling in my stomach all the time that things aren’t good enough!! I feel as if I need to move back home or something and re group myself but I just don’t no sorry to vent I just don’t understand y I think so much on the things I feel so shitty about

imogen56 I love thinking about really horrible things..?
  • replies: 5

Just wanted to reach out and ask on here because I can't find anything on google. I really enjoy thinking about really bad things happening. Overall just really bad stuff usually involving me getting very badly injured. This is even though I would ne... View more

Just wanted to reach out and ask on here because I can't find anything on google. I really enjoy thinking about really bad things happening. Overall just really bad stuff usually involving me getting very badly injured. This is even though I would never want these things to happen in real life. Everything I've looked up online people complain about thinking horrible things like this and want to stop it, but I really like it. I don't want to fix it or anything I just wonder why I do it. Everyone I've talked to about it seem really weirded out and like they would never think such horrible things. Does anyone have any ideas?? Thanks

MISHELLE ANXIETY/PTSD
  • replies: 9

JUST JOINED TODAY. SUFFERING FROM ANXIETY/PTSD. HAVE BEEN FOR THE PAST 17 YEARS. IM STILL HERE CAUSE I AM A STRONG PERSON. SOME REALLY GOOD DAYS AND OTHER DAYS JUST TERRIBLE.

JUST JOINED TODAY. SUFFERING FROM ANXIETY/PTSD. HAVE BEEN FOR THE PAST 17 YEARS. IM STILL HERE CAUSE I AM A STRONG PERSON. SOME REALLY GOOD DAYS AND OTHER DAYS JUST TERRIBLE.

Topaz77 struggling to function and want to talk
  • replies: 2

I’ve been struggling with major depressive disorder for just under 11 months. I was diagnosed with anxiety but as time has gone by a slight depression has potientally started to develop Although I see a psychologist and psychiatrist and am medicated ... View more

I’ve been struggling with major depressive disorder for just under 11 months. I was diagnosed with anxiety but as time has gone by a slight depression has potientally started to develop Although I see a psychologist and psychiatrist and am medicated I’m still not coping. im still attending school but life is so hard and I can’t work but my family still try to force me into it and it causes panic attacks i don’t know what to do and I’m struggling to want to keep trying. I feel like no one understands and that my life is falling apart because of me i just really need advice and someone to talk to about life please if anyone is struggling share your story as I want to talk to people that are living with mental illness

Lemonlover Struggling to go to work
  • replies: 3

Hi, Im new to this type of support but I'm wanting help from other who may feel the same as me. I've recently relapsed back into depression and my anxiety is off the charts. A few months ago I was running a busy restaurant in the middle of the city a... View more

Hi, Im new to this type of support but I'm wanting help from other who may feel the same as me. I've recently relapsed back into depression and my anxiety is off the charts. A few months ago I was running a busy restaurant in the middle of the city and now I'm struggling to walk out my own front door. I have recently started a new job and was only there for 3 days before this kicked in. It's not a bad job and nobody was nasty in anyway towards me but nor was they very inviting. I usually wouldn't have a problem with this and would just continue about my day but after having to take the past few days off I'm terrified of returning out of fear of judgement and feeling uncomfortable around people. Plus as ive only technically worked 3 days i keep thinking about what they must think of me but honestly if I could I would. The feelings are so crippling I just want to curl into a ball and cry (most times i do) The journey also requires me to catch a bus and then a train the journey is only around 40 minutes long but the thought of this alone can be enough to put me off. The day before I can be fine and set everything up ready to go and then as soon as I get into bed it hits me full force and I just lay there, even when I do finally fall asleep I wake heavy chested only a few hours later. Im slowly starting to be put off going outside at all And feel nervous if I have to do anything alone, totally out of character for me. i really am aware I have nothing to worry about, I have a very supportive partner but i can see this is starting to have an affect on him and our relationship as we really do need my wage to get by. I anyone can help or give me advice on how to overcome this I would appreciate any support and right now I'm starting to feel more like a useless burden than a functioning half to a whole. X

Longest_ride What to do next
  • replies: 1

Hi so I am suffering from nausea related anxiety I have had this going on for a long time now and it is affecting my everyday life, it consumes my every thoughts, I have been to the doctors and been on medication and it made me worse I have been to t... View more

Hi so I am suffering from nausea related anxiety I have had this going on for a long time now and it is affecting my everyday life, it consumes my every thoughts, I have been to the doctors and been on medication and it made me worse I have been to the physiologist for weeks on end and found it hasn't help my nausea symptom as that is the only one I get. I was wondering what is the next step to try take to help my symptoms. As sometimes I don't even think it's anxiety related anymore. My mum says go to a hypnotist but I need some more insite and information on it. Thanks