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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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Grampians Anxiety is cancerous
  • replies: 3

Hello, fresh newbie here, I am a stage 4 Metastatic Melanoma patient and as my thread title suggests I'm struggling with the mental side of having cancer. I'm in no way been diagnosed with a terminal period or outcome but after battling Melanoma for ... View more

Hello, fresh newbie here, I am a stage 4 Metastatic Melanoma patient and as my thread title suggests I'm struggling with the mental side of having cancer. I'm in no way been diagnosed with a terminal period or outcome but after battling Melanoma for 3 years now it's starting to do my head in. It is a cancer that is not obvious apart from some physical scars or those undergoing treatment for multiple lesions. Stage 4 Melanoma means it has affected internal organs and luckily for me only one lesion on a lung which has been surgically removed, while I am currently doing well with no new tumors I find it's the unknown lurking cancer cells floating around that consumes my thoughts on a daily basis. I am very anxious at the moment hence this post, a recent scan completed and now waiting for the report (Friday 18th). I'm not new to the waiting for scan reports, it's the build up over time that has caused restlessness, flushes, night sweats, head aches and lack of sleep. Generally, I have always been a very positive person but now I have started to avoid situations at work, keeping my feelings to myself from loved ones so as not to cause alarm, I have to put on a brave face because I am relied upon to perform with everything I do. I am yet to pick up the phone and talk to a counselor or taken myself off to a Psychologist but I guess that's something I am very close to doing, costs involved for professional help has stopped me, sadly cancer has also taken its toll in financial terms.

sarahlouisexo Treatment of OCD?
  • replies: 3

Hi I have been struggling with OCD for a few months now but I'm unsure about getting help. If you have OCD, what route have you taken to receive treatment? What has helped you, what hasn't?

Hi I have been struggling with OCD for a few months now but I'm unsure about getting help. If you have OCD, what route have you taken to receive treatment? What has helped you, what hasn't?

FMercury Medication: can it get worse before it gets better?
  • replies: 3

Hi all I'm on week 3 of medication, and hadn't really noticed too much change until this week. Started to feel somewhat more positive on Monday, but then yesterday was a complete disaster and i was very very low. Then today, feeling more positive aga... View more

Hi all I'm on week 3 of medication, and hadn't really noticed too much change until this week. Started to feel somewhat more positive on Monday, but then yesterday was a complete disaster and i was very very low. Then today, feeling more positive again. I wondered if maybe this rollercoaster could be part of the beginnings of new med? TIA

James1008 So bored all the time?
  • replies: 3

does anyone else get this? i find nearly everything very boring things were more exciting when i was a kid im Unemployed now I know you will say Its because I dont have a job But I was just as bored when i had a job its just all so boring Working/Not... View more

does anyone else get this? i find nearly everything very boring things were more exciting when i was a kid im Unemployed now I know you will say Its because I dont have a job But I was just as bored when i had a job its just all so boring Working/Not working I miss being a kid so alot now there is little happiness to be found , anyone know this feeling

BSL Anxiety? Or am I being dramatic?
  • replies: 4

Hi everyone, this is my first time posting and I'd really like to to get others opinions on what I've been experiencing lately. For the past 3 months, but the last 4 weeks in particular, I have been feeling incredibly anxious. It's this feeling of dr... View more

Hi everyone, this is my first time posting and I'd really like to to get others opinions on what I've been experiencing lately. For the past 3 months, but the last 4 weeks in particular, I have been feeling incredibly anxious. It's this feeling of dread and nervousness in my stomach that I cant shake, no matter what I try. It's as though I'm waiting for something awful to happen, and I have horrible butterflies all the time. I've tried changing my diet, exercising and meditating but these only seem to help temporarily, and the feeling always comes back. Lately the anxiousness has increased to the point where I feel like I might cry, I can't catch my breath or I feel faint, and I can't draw my mind back from this overwhelming feeling in my stomach, even though I can't figure out what is causing it. Uni, work and my relationship are all stressful, but I don't feel as though there has been a dramatic change in any of these areas that would warrant the feelings that I have, and when I try and locate a direct cause I struggle to find it. Another issue is this anxiety is causing me to become seriously unmotivated. Now whenever I think about anything even slightly stressful such as uni, work or driving lessons it makes me feel so sick that I can't bring myself to attend class or go to work and I'll spend hours just laying around at home. What I want to know is does this sound like an anxiety disorder, or just usual stress that I need to work harder at overcoming? It doesn't feel normal to me, but I also don't feel like I'm experiencing overly dramatic symptoms such as panic attacks, and I am fine (almost better) when I'm socialising. Thank you!

Luna_Eclipse very worried
  • replies: 4

I had a anxiety attack whilst driving and been on edge all the way home keep having this horrible heat sensation in my chest area and everything I try to do like the breathing exercises and distraction techniques does not help me at all. Starting to ... View more

I had a anxiety attack whilst driving and been on edge all the way home keep having this horrible heat sensation in my chest area and everything I try to do like the breathing exercises and distraction techniques does not help me at all. Starting to feel anxiety when I go to work and I am not coping with any of it. Can't seem to find anything that helps diffuse the horrible feelings I am getting. I still feel as tho there is something actually wrong with me and none of this is actually anxiety.

FMercury My anxiety symptoms seem unique
  • replies: 5

Hi all I am a brand newbie. Thanks in advance for this community - can't believe I didn't join it sooner. I've been suffering anxiety for about 20 years. It has reached the point where it's completely taking over, so I've taken my approach to managin... View more

Hi all I am a brand newbie. Thanks in advance for this community - can't believe I didn't join it sooner. I've been suffering anxiety for about 20 years. It has reached the point where it's completely taking over, so I've taken my approach to managing it to a new level, and making some significant changes in all areas. I've started a new medication (3 weeks in), seeing a new psychologist (who I love), changing my diet (greatly reducing sugar intake, eliminating coffee, increase vegetables, reduce alcohol), exercising daily, giving up facebook, replacing "time wasting" activities with productive ones, and spending more time with the people that matter to me. I'm also reading / researching more about anxiety than I ever had before, including this website and joining this forum. One thing that I'm struggling with in the process, is that I feel like my anxiety symptoms are so completely different to others'. I've done a search in the forum on 'anxiety symptoms' and read a lot of those posts, and I can't find many that I can relate to. My main symptom is that I feel like I can't get a proper breath. There's a very rare feeling of utter satisfaction or even ecstasy when, on the very very rare occasion, I'm able to breath deeply enough to properly fill my lungs. I often imagine that if I was anxiety-free, breathing in would feel like filling up a balloon to the max, then breathing out would feel like deflating it all the way. And yet for me, breathing in feels like the balloon only fills up a quarter of the way, then breathing out deflates it. And no matter how deeply I try to breathe in - I even breathe breathe breathe in until I can't fit anymore air in, and it's still only a quarter full. I have tried many many breathing techniques but none of them reduce this feeling of not being able to get enough breath. Other symptoms I feel are: Constant dread. Constant butterflies in my stomach. Constant adrenaline. You know that feeling when you're running down a flight of stairs and you slip and skip one, and your heart skips a beat? I have that sensation constantly. I guess I'm just interested to hear if there are many others experiencing symptoms of a similar nature, as I don't experience the ones that I've seen discussed frequently on these forums. Thanks in advance

Mackenzie Bad physical anxiety symptoms
  • replies: 11

Hi all, This is the first time on here and I'm glad that I'm not the only one that feels like this. I started having bad anxiety the last few months of my second pregnancy (which my baby is now 3 near 3 months old) and it was very physical along side... View more

Hi all, This is the first time on here and I'm glad that I'm not the only one that feels like this. I started having bad anxiety the last few months of my second pregnancy (which my baby is now 3 near 3 months old) and it was very physical along side a migraine with stroke like symptoms. I'm 33yrs and healthy as my doctors keep telling me. Now every time I get anxiety I have the following symptoms: chest pains and burning sensations (doesn't help with my breast feeding) weakness in my left arms especially the left, lightheaded, back pains, hard to breathe/shallow breathing, elevated heart rate, shivers through my body, pins and needles or tingling through my body, tingling in my top lip, and feelings of my mind not being totally in my body. I also get hot/cold flushes, head aches/pains, dizziness and now have vertigo. I have never had any of these feelings before. My normal occupation is very full on and stressful, which never ever bothered me. Now I am on maternity leave and is not anywhere near as stressful or busy as my normal occupation, and it's where the anxiety and panic attacks have now come into play. Even though I know these are symptoms of panic attacks, I still think about having some major health problem which is going to leave my husband and 2 sons without and wife and mother. I have had brain scans, breast scans and been put on the ECG more times than I care to admit. I want to get scans for my heart, but my doctor keeps reassuring me that I'm so healthy and he wishes all of his patients had a heart like mine. I get anxiety with just about anything, especially to do with my kids get sick or being hurt. I would love it if anyone else has these symptoms, to be able to chat with them. Even if you have different types of anxiety, it would be nice to know how extensive and broad this disorder is. Thank you. Mackenzie

vic panic disorder fear of dying
  • replies: 6

I have suffered panic attacks & depression on & off for 20 yrs. I am now at the best & most settled stage of my life but panic & depression are worse than ever. Ive been married 3yrs & very happy. My husband works & earns enough so there are no finan... View more

I have suffered panic attacks & depression on & off for 20 yrs. I am now at the best & most settled stage of my life but panic & depression are worse than ever. Ive been married 3yrs & very happy. My husband works & earns enough so there are no financial worries. 2 months ago my panic returned. I struggle to go anywhere, even panic at home. My main problem seems to be panic attacks over physical pains, I immediatley jump to the conclusion it must be something serious - im dying. I know perfectly well its just panic but that doesnt stop it. Feel like im going crazy. Does anyone else go through thjis? Is this normal? How do I cope? Please help anyone

TenLetters Work anxiety - advice/help please!
  • replies: 8

Hi all, newbie poster here, long time reader. I'm in a sticky situation and I'm reaching out for help and advice. Long story short, I've started a new job about 2 months ago in a corporate role in the city. After coming out of the induction process a... View more

Hi all, newbie poster here, long time reader. I'm in a sticky situation and I'm reaching out for help and advice. Long story short, I've started a new job about 2 months ago in a corporate role in the city. After coming out of the induction process and company onboarding etc., I've come to the realisation that I have been hired into the wrong job, and it's causing alot of anxiety. I'm one of 4 of a brand new team built, but the other 3 on my team have a completely different skill-set. Because my skill-set and experience is different to theirs, I'm completely dismissed if I ever make a point or a suggestion. A few weeks of this, and I'm now a ghost in the office. Meetings are held without me, discussions and conversations go quite when I arrive at my desk, and each day I'm feeling more in the dark. Although a very smart guy, my boss is non-communicative. I haven't had a single 1-to-1 since starting, barely says hello in the mornings, and will only engage in a conversation if I ask a question. Within the department I have learned of person x has a history with person y, and manager a is in a power struggle with manager b. etc. etc. With a combination of the ghosting and all the dysfunction across the area, it is toxic, and as a result has left me depressed, anxious, and isolated. I just hate it. I'm scared to raise my issues though to HR, because as I'm a new starter, I'm in probation. I don't want to be labelled a trouble-maker and then be let go suddenly due to 'budgeting'. I believe the core issue is management communication, which means that the people I should raise this to are the people that should be addressing this and managing the situation. So where can I go? I haven't been eating much at all in the last few weeks, have been going to bed at 8pm and have trouble concentrating whilst in work, leading me to be underperforming, not helping my credibility or reputation. If I tell the company I believe they have hired me into the wrong position, can they just turn around and go "tough luck" or do they have an obligation to improve/change the situation? If I say nothing, I look like a bad employee (which I am absolutely not), and wont get passed probation (if I make it that far). I don't want to explode, but it's affecting my personal time, including weekends, so I must do something to protect my own health. Would love to hear your thoughts