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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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GGP Lost.
  • replies: 1

Hi everyone, I'm 22 F, I've been battling depression and anxiety for 6years. I've had an 'external crisis' in 2014 those 2weeks I can not remember. I've been on numerous medications however two years ago I seen a psychiatrist whom put me on medicatio... View more

Hi everyone, I'm 22 F, I've been battling depression and anxiety for 6years. I've had an 'external crisis' in 2014 those 2weeks I can not remember. I've been on numerous medications however two years ago I seen a psychiatrist whom put me on medication I am still currently taking and stated I had social/ generalised anxiety, I have seen the same psychologigist for 4 years been to the hospital 3times in the last six years for suicidal thoughts including the last trip a week ago. I'm currently waiting to see the two specialists above, meantime I'm super depressed. I've been trying so hard, I'm so fed up I'm back here.

Franniesplace Every part of me is screaming inside, but know if I give over to it, it'll only make things worse. The breakdown I can't afford to have...
  • replies: 5

I'm suffering from anxiety symptoms. I feel like every fibre of my muscles want to run or freeze simultaniously, and my throat and chest feels like I've been screaming and I've been like this on and off for a couple of weeks. I'm trying to just keep ... View more

I'm suffering from anxiety symptoms. I feel like every fibre of my muscles want to run or freeze simultaniously, and my throat and chest feels like I've been screaming and I've been like this on and off for a couple of weeks. I'm trying to just keep moving, one foot in front of the other. Sometimes I'm better when I'm distracted, but I have a job which has me in stressful situations regularly. Normally this doesn't phase me, but in my heightened state I'm struggling to keep going. The professionals advise taking a break, that maybe work isn't right for me at the moment but I run my own business, and taking a break is simply not that easy and would in fact create more stress in my life. How can people afford to have "breakdowns"?! The other option is to try medication, which last time I tried it, it made my symptoms worse and made it impossible for me to do my job due to the sides effects anyway - Catch 22. If I want to try medications, I understand I need to give them long enough to have some effect but they actually left me incapacitated in the meantime. If I don't try the medications, I don't know how I am going to keep going. The unavoidable need to cope is actually just putting more pressure on me when I feel like I just can't. Externally, most people don't see what is going on in my head just to get through the day, so when I hit the point where I can't move forward one more step, they act like "but you were fine a minute ago". I don't know what my question is. I know there is no easy fix. And that is part of the fear. How long will I feel like this? How can I make it stop before I can't fight it anymore. I guess I just jumped on here to reach out...

Anton711 Unable to take a deep breath - anxiety or something else?
  • replies: 11

Hi - I've just joined this forum and hoping someone can help me. I've been unfortunate to have had a series of medical issues during the last 5 months starting with a pacemaker op, an angiogram (clear) and two cataracts ops. I was really anxious and ... View more

Hi - I've just joined this forum and hoping someone can help me. I've been unfortunate to have had a series of medical issues during the last 5 months starting with a pacemaker op, an angiogram (clear) and two cataracts ops. I was really anxious and worried as I also care for an aged parent and all during this time I cold not eat or sleep well. Often I would wake during the night thinking the worst. I developed stomach bloating and wind and it became such an issue that I had to make sure to eat within the hour - if not my stomach would bloat. But I also noticed that I could not take a deep breath. The gastro specialist did a colonoscopy and endoscopy and everything was clear - no IBS or anything. Also did a stomach ultrasound and that was clear. GP did a chest x-ray - clear. They finally all said it was stress and anxiety related given my recent medical episodes and sent me to a psychiatrist. He prescribed medication for my anxiety and depression.I am able to sleep better now but the side-effects are not good - lethargy, sleepiness, dizzy and quite bad constipation. I've been on half a tab for the last three weeks. I continue to have this difficulty in being unable to take a deep breath and sometimes I feel like I can't breathe fully. I've developed this habit where I try to exhale and then take a breath and it seems to work at times but not always. I walk around exhaling most times! I tried a nose spray to unblock my nose and also a puffer but the breathing difficulty persists. I'm not a smoker and don't have asthma.I've tried deep breathing exercises, meditation, grounding exercise, going for a walk, etc but I really feel helpless. I know that the fact that I now have a pacemaker makes me fearful of doing anything in case I get a heart attack or something although the cardiologist has said that I can get back to my normal life - I don't know what that means and I just don't know how to get that into my head. The least thing makes me jump and I feel afraid often. I don't know a lot of people so I am quite isolated and often get melancholy thinking of my previous life.Please - if someone out there has experienced something like this and has some advice on what to do - I would be really grateful if you could share. I'm sorry that I have rambled on, but thank you.

BballJ GAD - How did you explain it
  • replies: 7

Hi all, My apologies in advance if this thread has been discussed before but I couldn't find exactly what I was looking for. Basicially, being recently diagnosed with GAD - my partner is having a hard time understand what this is, I am still working ... View more

Hi all, My apologies in advance if this thread has been discussed before but I couldn't find exactly what I was looking for. Basicially, being recently diagnosed with GAD - my partner is having a hard time understand what this is, I am still working it out personally however, has anyone had luck explaining it to their partner or family or friend, what did you use? I respect that my partner doesn't understand and she is trying too, but for her its just come out of no where, I was fine weeks ago and then now im not, which im trying to say I haven't been well for a while I've just masked It because I didn't want it to be a mental health issue, I have started explaining things I do which I never tell anyone (I.E Cannot leave home without an asthma pump, even though I don't have bad asthma, but if I leave without, I have a panic attack and feel like I can't breathe) amongst a lot of other little "Quirks" as I used to put them down too. Anyway, just seeing how you may have explained this condition to your partners or friends to help them understand, she always asks when I have an episode, what triggered it and I say its not one thing, its just a collection of things and she doesn't get that point. Thank you in advance for your responses.

MickeyMouse22 Social and generalised anxiety preventing me from work!
  • replies: 2

So I'm 21, female and I've recently been diagnosed with social and generalised anxiety and was diagnosed with depression many years back I have worked in the past but could never keep a job because of things like talking on the phone, looking people ... View more

So I'm 21, female and I've recently been diagnosed with social and generalised anxiety and was diagnosed with depression many years back I have worked in the past but could never keep a job because of things like talking on the phone, looking people in the face when speaking to them, lethargy, sleep and/or lack of and lack of concentration during the day. I am at a point where I have no idea what to do and it's all very confusing and scary I just want to be happy but it's such a struggle I have a supportive partner but it's just not enough anymore I physically can't get up to goto work which leaves me feeling hopeless and even though I hate being away from the house I also hate being stuck in the house I barely have enough money to survive and it makes me more anxious... I am so confused by it all and I am stuck in a loop

Overwatchdude From high end professional to non-functional, living with parents. Only feeling worse while waiting for treatment
  • replies: 11

Hi all, Ive read through the guidelines but please forgive me if im posting in the wrong place. Ive been battling anxiety since childhood but was only diagnosed a few years ago, im now nearing my mid 30s. Ive also been diagnosed with OCD stemming fro... View more

Hi all, Ive read through the guidelines but please forgive me if im posting in the wrong place. Ive been battling anxiety since childhood but was only diagnosed a few years ago, im now nearing my mid 30s. Ive also been diagnosed with OCD stemming from intrusive thoughts, which has spiraled me into a deep depression. Ive recently had to quit my job and move back in with my parents since I was self medicating via substance abuse. Ive since seen a new psychiatrist and been put onto a new medication which has had me feeling worse, and been referred to a psychologist, though it will be 6 weeks before my appointment. I guess Im just incredibly scared. Im tired of having intrusive thoughts and my biggest fear is of "losing control". Currently im basically non functional and virtually bedridden. Friends and family have encouraged me to keep. busy and exercise, though just getting out of bed in a struggle, let alone going to the gym. Time feels like its moving at a snails pace and I feel worthless. I dont really know where im going with this, I just feel alone and like my experiences are unique. I have the utmost respect for the people here who suffer from depression and can still function, I dont know how you do it when I can barely leave my room. Waiting to feel just a little bit better is making me feel worse, if that makes sense. Any help or advice is appreciated.

brad01 anxiety after drinking / in general
  • replies: 3

hi everyonewas just wondering if any has had anxiety come on strong for a few days after drinking ? or anyones opinions on drinking and anxiety ? and drinking with a/d's i know there is a lot of variation on effects on people.a little bit of backgrou... View more

hi everyonewas just wondering if any has had anxiety come on strong for a few days after drinking ? or anyones opinions on drinking and anxiety ? and drinking with a/d's i know there is a lot of variation on effects on people.a little bit of background i had generalised panic attacks and anxiety then was put on medication and has been helpful but on some days usually saturdays or sundays (it starts ) then feel waves of anxiety and funny feelings in my head almost numb or something also feel like there is nothing more i can do and none can help because I'm already on the pills etc.I'm wondering if alcohol could make these things happen the gp said a few drinks should be safe but i should not get very intoxicated, he also said sometimes i might have bad days but i fell like I'm going back wards and freak out when these things happen. sometimes these feelings have happened out of nowhere but seems to be a pattern with drinking. i have been taking it very easy and have cut down drinking to very little but being a young male tradesperson a lot of events/ socialising revolve around drinking and i do enjoy having a few beers or going out .i have never relied on drinking to stop stressing only because i enjoy itsorry for the long storythanks everyone

Molly79 Constant 24/7 chest pain
  • replies: 8

I'm 37yrs old, female and have just recently been diagnosed with anxiety. 5 months ago my father passed away in front of my mum in the kitchen due to a heart attack. 3 weeks after his passing, unusual symptoms started rising. Fear, withdrawn from the... View more

I'm 37yrs old, female and have just recently been diagnosed with anxiety. 5 months ago my father passed away in front of my mum in the kitchen due to a heart attack. 3 weeks after his passing, unusual symptoms started rising. Fear, withdrawn from the world, chest pains, panic and most of all stress. Ever since I have suffered from major chest pain, ongoing for 4-5 days with no letting up. My chest pain will give me maximum 2 days grace and then start up again. I've seen a cardiologist, had multiple ecgs, blood tests, abdominal scan, chest xray of heart and lungs plus a stress test and of course, all come back normal. 2 months ago my mum passed out and has a aneurysm on the back of her brain and we are awaiting surgery. I have been put on medication and have only been taking it for 2 weeks. Im seeing a councillor next week for the first time so touch wood this will help. Just wondering if others are suffering the never ending chest pains and how does people deal with this. I work night shift as well 5 nights a week and I never want to go too work or leave the house I did however go away for a week overseas and I never suffered any chest pains or anxiety!!!!!!

Guest_1055 Panic Attack
  • replies: 12

This morning I know I had a mild panic attack. Gosh I have not had one for ages. For which I am very thankful. At the moment I am so fearful of what the people think of me. Because I was in a situation where I needed to explain an issue to two people... View more

This morning I know I had a mild panic attack. Gosh I have not had one for ages. For which I am very thankful. At the moment I am so fearful of what the people think of me. Because I was in a situation where I needed to explain an issue to two people. And they were looking at me with such trustful eyes. I didn't want to fail at verbally speaking. I am not sure if they understood and I could feel my voice shaking and that awful feeling of Mr dread and Mr fear creep up upon me. How I long to be free of those forever..... Shelley anne

Overwatchdude What to do about appetite? Gotta eat to live, right?
  • replies: 3

Im not a big eater at the best of times, so when I experience severe anxiety such as I am now, I lose almost all appetite, the only things I can stomach are juices, soft drinks, and soups. One of my major symptoms of anxiety and depression is nausea,... View more

Im not a big eater at the best of times, so when I experience severe anxiety such as I am now, I lose almost all appetite, the only things I can stomach are juices, soft drinks, and soups. One of my major symptoms of anxiety and depression is nausea, to the point where I gag and/or vomit. Even when it eases a bit, I still have no appetite and I find forcing myself to eat leads to more anxiety and nausea which makes me depressed. Might anyone have any tips for the nausea? Im trying to avoid "rocking the boat" with more prescriptions whilst I adjust to new medications, but I need to eat. In the past 2 weeks ive already lost about 4kg