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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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Benjamin Anxious about work, need to quit but I'm terrified.
  • replies: 10

I graduated with a degree in product design earlier this year, and was pretty lucky to get a design job quickly, which I thought was great but has become pretty horrible. I am the only designer at the business which has put me under a lot more stress... View more

I graduated with a degree in product design earlier this year, and was pretty lucky to get a design job quickly, which I thought was great but has become pretty horrible. I am the only designer at the business which has put me under a lot more stress than I can handle - I am having panic attacks and spend most mornings in tears at the prospect of going to work, I'm not coping and it is affecting my work (when I can manage to stay focused enough to do any) and causing me a lot of dread. My boss is not as guiding and supportive as I need at this point in my career, and spends a lot of time belittling and criticizing me and my work - it's a small company so I report directly to him and can't go to anyone else for help or support. I really want to quit, I really need to quit - The business recently got acquired by a larger firm, but everything is staying the same in the office - same boss same environment. I have been given this big spiel about how the acquisition means that this is a great space for my career and I'm at the forefront of something big, I've also been told that it will be more pressure. I am utterly miserable and distraught, I know I need to quit and soon but the acquisition has only just happened, and despite not at all liking my boss I am terrified of disappointing everyone - and I am terrified at the prospect of the 4 weeks following by resignation submission because I know that things will be a living hell here. I don't really know what to do, If I don't get out I'm worried that I will spiral to a place I won't be able to come back from - but when I do quit I'm worried that the people here will push me to that anyway.

Guest_9870 Career troubles
  • replies: 4

I feel held back by my own anxiety and confused about what career i want because theres many things i can see that would cause me anxiety. What are some good jobs for anxiety? I wanted to do teaching but ive heard thats alot of pressure now days and ... View more

I feel held back by my own anxiety and confused about what career i want because theres many things i can see that would cause me anxiety. What are some good jobs for anxiety? I wanted to do teaching but ive heard thats alot of pressure now days and no support. I considered nursing also because i have a caring personality but i get anxiety if i have to touch someone and worry i will stuff up. Any advice will be grately appreciated.

Booklover17 Overwhelmed
  • replies: 19

Hello everyone, This is my first time posting here. I have recently been told by my psychologist that I have anxiety. I am trying to work through it but it is so hard. I just feel very overwhelmed about having anxiety and just everything right now. D... View more

Hello everyone, This is my first time posting here. I have recently been told by my psychologist that I have anxiety. I am trying to work through it but it is so hard. I just feel very overwhelmed about having anxiety and just everything right now. Does anyone have any tips to help me not be so overwhelmed? Thank you.

Anne1303 Struggling
  • replies: 2

Hi, first time post on here although I have followed along for awhile. I have suffered from anxiety for quite a few years, going into medication to help after the loss of a baby a few years ago. Since then I have struggled on and off.i slowly weaned ... View more

Hi, first time post on here although I have followed along for awhile. I have suffered from anxiety for quite a few years, going into medication to help after the loss of a baby a few years ago. Since then I have struggled on and off.i slowly weaned off the medication 6 months ago. A few months ago I started a new job, since then my anxiety has increased dramatically. The other ladies in my office are very close, and I feel like I am the outsider which really bothers me. I find myself constantly over analysing every little thing that happens every day and everything that was said or done in the office, I just can't stop it. I can't sleep from worrying about every little thing that has happened during the day, everythingvthat was said etc even though nothing in specific bad had happened. I panic when they don't answer texts thinking worst case scenarios that they don't want to be friends with me - I know it is crazy but I just can't seem to turn off these all concerning thoughts , it is driving me crazy to the point where it is affecting my home life as well, I just want it to stop!

LaurenJM Frustrated
  • replies: 2

So im posting here in the hopes that acknowleding these feelings is a step towards feeling better. I hate that i feel anxious an nervous, but not liking the feeling isnt enough to make it go away. The feeling of no control over your own brain is one ... View more

So im posting here in the hopes that acknowleding these feelings is a step towards feeling better. I hate that i feel anxious an nervous, but not liking the feeling isnt enough to make it go away. The feeling of no control over your own brain is one that doesn't sit well and just starts that vicious cycle of self criticism and doubt. I find it hard to articulate how and why im feeling anxious, so i then start to thi nk of all these problems i 'could' have, and mayb one of them is why i feel this way, when really im not sure what the root cause of all this is. Venting helps but i feel like such a sook and dont want to burden others with worry. Knowing so many others feel this way does help in an almost 'horrible' way, cause i wouldnt wish this on someone else. I find writing helps and sometimes just trying to sit an breathe and reassure myself, but id love to hear how other people get themselves out of that rut. I wish you all a hood nights sleep xo

kaykay92 Constant extreme chest tightness and pain
  • replies: 1

Hello all and thank you for reading, I'm 24 years old and have had issues with anxiety for years. Within the fast few months I feel it's gotten a lot worse and I have been experiencing panic attacks and bad physical symptoms overall. One of the sympt... View more

Hello all and thank you for reading, I'm 24 years old and have had issues with anxiety for years. Within the fast few months I feel it's gotten a lot worse and I have been experiencing panic attacks and bad physical symptoms overall. One of the symptoms that gives me the most trouble is my chest. I get really bad tightness, racing heart and even shooting pain (over both my right and left side) My doctor gave me a scare about 6 weeks ago. She claimed my ECG's over a weeks time were "changing" and therefore abnormal and encouraged me to go to the ER if I experienced similar pain, which of course only made me experience it more... I went to a new doctor who I related better to. She compared the same ECG's and said she saw absolutely nothing wrong and encouraged me to relax but ever since that first doctor, I feel the tightness and pain getting worse and find myself getting worked up about it no matter what I do. Does anyone else experience these sensations on a daily basis and not only when anxious, but completely randomly? I don't want to keep running to the doctors every time it comes up for me. Thanks so much for any replies!

Talafa First time posting : relapsed
  • replies: 8

Good Morning all, I have recently reached out for help with my anxiety after a altercation with my mother in law brought me stress and anxiety levels to the top of the gp grading. My issues stem from a tricky childhood and a abusive relationship. I f... View more

Good Morning all, I have recently reached out for help with my anxiety after a altercation with my mother in law brought me stress and anxiety levels to the top of the gp grading. My issues stem from a tricky childhood and a abusive relationship. I fear abandonment and confrontation. My partner also has crohns disease and was also diagnosed with depression recently. After I went to the gp looking for help I started to pick up I am on light meds and started a mindfulness and self care journey this has worked really well. My partner has fallen into a bit of a low in the last few days and this has spun me out. He has lost his spark and play and joy. I am confused and hurt whilst understanding his struggles. I miss my man and am terrified of asking for what I deserve in the relationship on a whole. I am left scared, with lump in my throat and just overwhelmingly sad. I hate this feeling and I am doing all I can to break free I am just stuck in this cycle.

TG2016 Taking a back step
  • replies: 1

Hi, Firstly not sure if this is the right topic to post in. It's a bit positive but I also think my anxiety is telling me it shouldn't be. About 12 months ago I was asked at work to become a manager. I was over the moon. It was great for a whilst unt... View more

Hi, Firstly not sure if this is the right topic to post in. It's a bit positive but I also think my anxiety is telling me it shouldn't be. About 12 months ago I was asked at work to become a manager. I was over the moon. It was great for a whilst until I realised how hard managing adults can be. I was given no training just told to do it with no prior experience. I was constantly being disrespected, dealing with drama, there was bickering, backstabbing you name it it was happening. It opened my eyes at just how childish adults can be. Now being an introvert combined with anxiety this was getting tough it was affecting my mood in a really bad way I was so down and angry which is not me at all. My next step was to find another job but you see I live somewhere with a high unemployment rate and I didn't want to move as I couldn't afford to so adding this to an unhappy situation was not doing good things. Yesterday I was pulled aside another manager of another department who wasn't aware of how much I was struggling and said he wanted to combine my team and his together and he would manage it I would then go back to doing what I was before and the pay stays the same (which is not my concern). I was so happy to say yes go for it. It was the biggest relief. I know it's all about doing what makes you happy but part of me is thinking I failed and that I'm weak for backing down but I know in my heart it was the best thing that could have happened.

jellybeans89 New...does anyone else feel like this?
  • replies: 13

Hi. Over the past few months (especially since starting my new graduate job) I've been struggling quite a lot with anxiety. When I make mistakes at work I'm really hard on myself & wonder if my boss regrets hiring me. Some days I'm okay but when I ha... View more

Hi. Over the past few months (especially since starting my new graduate job) I've been struggling quite a lot with anxiety. When I make mistakes at work I'm really hard on myself & wonder if my boss regrets hiring me. Some days I'm okay but when I have a bad day I've felt like I'm on the verge of a breakdown.​ one of the things I struggle with is I've been through so much worse - I was diagnosed with a rare cancer 10 years ago & have had several recurrences over the years - & yet my confidence in this job is just not there. I studied for years when I was very unwell to get qualified for this job, yet it's all so daunting. The other girls in the workplace are really close & I feel that I'm so different to them. Sometimes I feel like everyone at work thinks I'm stupid. I've also recently started a relationship with a lovely guy who I've known for quite a while, and I'm so happy with that part of my life, but it feels like I just can't relax otherwise. Anxiety is something that's not foreign to me; over the years it's plagued me especially with my health ups & downs. But even though now my health appears stable & there are no signs of cancer, I feel lost. And at time hopeless. And alone. I don't want to sound self pitying, I'm just really struggling. Does anyone struggle like this at work? Or thinking about work? I am new to this forum so I haven't had a good look around just yet, guess I just want to know what helps others when they're feeling stressed/anxious/out of place. I have had counselling in the past, and it's something I'm looking into again, have heard of some counsellors who work on Saturdays so that gives me hope. Hope this hasn't been too long-winded.

Shila Avoiding exposure
  • replies: 7

Hi, This is my first post and I'm not sure where else to turn. I have anxiety and ptsd and a huge trigger for severe anxiety attacks for me is clowns. Long story but last year I had a complete break because someone at work thought dressing up as one ... View more

Hi, This is my first post and I'm not sure where else to turn. I have anxiety and ptsd and a huge trigger for severe anxiety attacks for me is clowns. Long story but last year I had a complete break because someone at work thought dressing up as one after disclosing my phobia was funny and I was off work for 6 months. With the remake of a certain movie out at the moment my trigger seems to be everywhere. I'm now avoiding just about everything and it feels like the whole world is stopping me from recovering. I know that its the anxiety talking but it's like the world is out to get me. Does anyone else experience this and how do you cope in times of repeated and unpredictable exposure?