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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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Bambino Anxiety and inner ear virus
  • replies: 3

Hi there, I have recently got an inner ear virus which knocked me for six and all of a sudden my anxiety, panic attacks and depression has become a lot worse. I feel miserable. I am over worrying about everything and am finding it really hard to see ... View more

Hi there, I have recently got an inner ear virus which knocked me for six and all of a sudden my anxiety, panic attacks and depression has become a lot worse. I feel miserable. I am over worrying about everything and am finding it really hard to see any end to this. Has anyone else experienced any of this ? Or have any advice ? I'm desperate for support on this. Thanks in advance for your help.

Muddlee Anxiety setback
  • replies: 4

Okay so this is what has happened. For the past 7-8 months I've been doing really well - managing my GAD, sticking to my approach, seeing my gp, meditating, going out with gf and friends etc etc. I felt like everything was going really great - I was ... View more

Okay so this is what has happened. For the past 7-8 months I've been doing really well - managing my GAD, sticking to my approach, seeing my gp, meditating, going out with gf and friends etc etc. I felt like everything was going really great - I was letting time do the healing, managing really well and I was actually starting to see a lot of my old confidence return. But the last few weeks haven't been the best - I'm starting to spend a lot my time worrying, departing from my techniques, feeling exhausted a lot more and losing my good form I previously had. And worst thing is today was my 1 year anniversary with my gf - things were not too bad until we came home and I honestly felt like i was going to have a panic attack. I managed it alright with some calm breathing, thought challenging and warm self-advice but i still feel like this is not a normal setback. I feel like this will be my slow descent back into my uncontrollable anxiety i had about a year and a half ago. I need advice - is this just a another bout of setback where the anxious part of me is thinking the worst or is this something else out my control? Need help peeps - either way i feel s lot better putting it out in the open :)) Mudddleee

kiara_18 Social Anxiety with Old Friends
  • replies: 5

Hello everyone, I am new to this forum and am very grateful that it exists. I am currently facing some depression and anxiety about a friendship group I had from high school. We have been friends for around 12 years and I feel like we have grown apar... View more

Hello everyone, I am new to this forum and am very grateful that it exists. I am currently facing some depression and anxiety about a friendship group I had from high school. We have been friends for around 12 years and I feel like we have grown apart. A few years ago when I was being bullied by another person in the group I felt like the girls were not there for me and really felt let down by it all. Of the group I had expected that a few of the girls would have said something, comforted me or checked if I was okay but no one did. So I gave up and stopped expecting. I completely withdrew from the group for about a year and half and no one really reached out. I made new friends and bless my fiancé (my rock) has always been there for me and we have a very loving life together along with our families and other friends. Lately after some work on myself, I decided that life long friends are hard to find, and after all that time apart maybe I should reach out. I did that and seemed to get not a lot back, from them collectively. I carry some resentment as I felt so alone because of them in the past, not to sound like a victim by any means. But its the same as ever. We are getting married next year and I was and am genuinely confused weather to invite this group of friends to our wedding. I love them and would help them in any way, but I feel like it's not a real friendship. They never exclude me personally, very inclusive and nice enough. But I feel anxious before and after seeing them as I feel that resentment build up. And also have no idea where I stand with them on a one on one level. I asked my self the question would they be upset to not be invited to our wedding and truely the answer I think would be more so upset they dont get to participate in a wedding not mine personally. Honestly it is getting me down, even though I have a lot to be happy and greatful about. I would love some guidance: - Should I speak to them and let them know my feelings and see if its all a misunderstanding over the last few years - Should I email them and say how i feel in a very kind respectful way, honour the friendship and part ways - Should I just hide away from them and delete them off all social media and start a new life Thank you all.

Mart17 Stuck in a loop
  • replies: 1

I've been Suffering one mental or physical healt setback after another for the last two months , every time I get a glimmer of hope something goes wrong or I make poor decisions that make the situation worse . Currently lying in pain after no sleep f... View more

I've been Suffering one mental or physical healt setback after another for the last two months , every time I get a glimmer of hope something goes wrong or I make poor decisions that make the situation worse . Currently lying in pain after no sleep from gut issue which had almost resolved. Feel detached from my family and friends have had to stop work. Anxiety meds helped to a degree but can't override stomach pain at night and I'm feeling utterly hopeless . I have picked my self up after every setback but it's relentless . What options are next ? Heavily sedated on stronger meds ?

Nikky99 My Anxiety Story!
  • replies: 2

Hi My name is Nicole and i'm 17 years old, I suffer from a bad anxiety disorder that occurs more then 3 times a day I suffer from anxiety attacks, that can become really bad like cant breathe properly and almost passing out a lot of the time. A lot o... View more

Hi My name is Nicole and i'm 17 years old, I suffer from a bad anxiety disorder that occurs more then 3 times a day I suffer from anxiety attacks, that can become really bad like cant breathe properly and almost passing out a lot of the time. A lot of things give me anxiety, I really don't know what to do to help me from my anxiety attacks and so many things giving me anxiety attacks. One big thing that causes my anxiety really bad is My boyfriend Will, He;s 19 and I am constantly worrying about him and getting anxiety of what he is doing behind my back with other girls and stuff like that I get anxiety about, I do trust him with everything its not about not trusting him its about just being concerned and worried about him and the things he does. I love my boyfriend so much and I just don't want everything to tear me and him apart and Im scared and anxious that it could happen. I could not imagine my life without me in it. I need advice about this, Please comment and give me any advice that could help Thanks

Ace6913 finding it hard to think rationally when seeing my fears on tv or social media
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone just wondering if any of you find it hard to think rationally after being exposed to your fears either on tv or social media? My biggest fear is having or getting cancer. I feel like everywhere I turn I see it either on news an add or som... View more

Hi everyone just wondering if any of you find it hard to think rationally after being exposed to your fears either on tv or social media? My biggest fear is having or getting cancer. I feel like everywhere I turn I see it either on news an add or something shared on social media I feel like I never get a break from seeing it . I know it's my anxiety telling me these are all signs that I need to take note of and go get checked again and again because I feel like it's all i ever see someone out there is trying to tell me something crazy right ? Oh anxiety how I hate you I'm determined to not let this control me as I can't control what I see anywhere really just wondering if anyone out there has these irrational thoughts as well.

Dani1234 I've decided to get help
  • replies: 3

I have always know that there was something just not quite right. But I could never really put my finger on it. I've always thought of myself as a strong independent person, or was I just like that because I thought I had to be. Motion sickness has a... View more

I have always know that there was something just not quite right. But I could never really put my finger on it. I've always thought of myself as a strong independent person, or was I just like that because I thought I had to be. Motion sickness has always been a trigger for me and avoiding situations where I know I'm going to be affected is becoming harder. I feel like I was handling everything just fine until every time I was anxious I would begin to feel nauseous and not just in the motion sickness kind of way. I was due to go on a trip up a range with someone else as the driver I got myself so worked up the night before because it was something that I had to do and couldn't get out of it. I felt trapped and like I was loosing control. The trip started out ok but then I started to get hot and shaky, it was raining so I couldn't open the window for fresh air. I tried deep breathing and closing my eyes trying to imagine myself some where else. This did not work I made it to the top just where I went and sat in the bathroom to try and calm down which helped until the food was brought out eggs. I almost died the smell was enough to make me hurl. Again in a situation where I had no control I had to say no. I was starting to feel better as the day went on until we had to make the trip back. Again came the hot feeling, the tightness in my chest the feeling like I couldn't breath. Was I having a heartattackTears running down my face what can I do I felt ashamed to admit that I was struggling and had lost complete control. Finally made it home and straight to bed I went I was so warn out and tired like I'd run a marathon. It had never been this bad before and I couldn't believe how quickly it had got out of control. Ever since then when ever I start to feel over whelmed or anxious I start to feel nauseous and even though I try to remove myself from the the situation the nausea remains and I am just flooded with the horrible prospect of being sick and that is my worst nightmare. I find myself avoiding situations when I think I may become nauseous whether it be a car ride or going out to lunch with a friend for fear the food might make me feel sick. I would have no where to lie down everyone would be looking at me like what is wrong with this person. I've always hated being sick but it has never stopped me from doing things because I had found ways around it but now I fear everything will make me sick and I don't know how to fix this it's ruining my life.

bohobabe10 Anxiety about University
  • replies: 1

I was diagnosed with general and social anxiety in early high school. I did well but struggled when I got emotionally tired, needing support to finish high school. I began university straight out of high school. My first semester did not go well, I e... View more

I was diagnosed with general and social anxiety in early high school. I did well but struggled when I got emotionally tired, needing support to finish high school. I began university straight out of high school. My first semester did not go well, I ended up deferring half way through after I found out about some personal health issues which sparked my anxiety and depression. I returned in semester 2 and out of two courses I only passed 1. The next year I actually did okay while balancing a brand new relationship with someone who had depression and was admitted to hospital right on exam time. This semester has been a disaster again. My partner got admitted to hospital again, I have been unwell with different things all semester and have been in hospital around crunch time, pushing my assessment further. During this semester my social anxiety has been extremely high. I manage to have friends but they go out and I don't go out with them. I leave university early because I feel so tired, self conscious and I just want to go home so bad. I've had to drop one of my courses and now I have to frantically salvage my other two courses. This on top of my partner being in hospital for depression. I've begun to question if I am even capable of doing university, will I ever finish? I can't part time work so my parents have to support me which makes me feel so guilty. Eventually my partner and me would love to live together but what if I can't work till I graduate in 2020? Of course he says he'd pay for me but I feel like I'm mooching of everyone around me. Have you been able to complete university with anxiety? Are any careers compatiable with anxiety?

Ace6913 Health anxiety and constantly need reassurance
  • replies: 23

Hi there, Im not new to health anxiety I suffered horribly about 4 years ago when I found lumps in my neck wich triggered anxiety and panic attacks at the time I was absolutely convinced I had cancer of course I googled and I had all the symptoms of ... View more

Hi there, Im not new to health anxiety I suffered horribly about 4 years ago when I found lumps in my neck wich triggered anxiety and panic attacks at the time I was absolutely convinced I had cancer of course I googled and I had all the symptoms of the illness it just snow balled onto constant visits to the Drs and emergency because I felt no one was listening to me. It was just the one last dr I saw made me realise I had anxiety and everything I was feeling was anxiety itself not some life threatening illness . In time I moved on and accepted I had to make the change and I did . Now 4 yrs on I'm suffering again and once again found a hard small lump on my wrist whilst I was washing my hands straight away before I could take my next breath I fell straight into panic mode and then onto anxiety I was proactive straight away went to the Drs got X-ray done everything came back clear but alls I've been left with is fear that they missed something or the X-ray just won't show what it really is meaning I think it's cancer I can't believe I'm putting myself through this again I feel extremely disappointed in myself

DN129 Do you find your anxiety is causing you to 'invent' medical issues all the time?
  • replies: 14

I think I've dealt with this most of my life and only recently acknowledged it. I never really confronted my anxiety until I started to get panic attacks, but the more I look back the more its always been there to some degree. I think for me one of t... View more

I think I've dealt with this most of my life and only recently acknowledged it. I never really confronted my anxiety until I started to get panic attacks, but the more I look back the more its always been there to some degree. I think for me one of the hardest hit symptoms I've always faced is 'health anxiety' or 'inventing' medical issues. To me, in my mind they're real. I can even feel the symptoms. But to doctors, they seem inexplainable, vague or simply excessive relative to the 'injury' or my general health. Now this isn't to say that doctors are always right or what you're feeling isn't necessarily true. But I've always found I suffered from the type of illnesses that have symptoms overlapping with anxiety. For instance I've had stomach and IBS issues my whole life. This started when I got punched in the gut and started obsessing about it. It seems very possible to create mental situations.