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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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Bluey_moon I'm scared!
  • replies: 5

I'm really scared! Im scared I'm a bad mum (it's my daughters first day of second grade and I'm worried about me) I'm scared I'm a bad wife (I constantly cry and unload on my husband) I'm scared the mental health team are wrong, they say I don't have... View more

I'm really scared! Im scared I'm a bad mum (it's my daughters first day of second grade and I'm worried about me) I'm scared I'm a bad wife (I constantly cry and unload on my husband) I'm scared the mental health team are wrong, they say I don't have a psyciatrict illness and I just have to work hard to get better! Im scared I can't work hard anymore and I'll get worse and destroy my family! Im scared of over analysing every sound I hear! Im scared it'll never get better and I can't do it anymore! I'm so so scared!

Harlo Different Types of Anxiety/Panic Attacks?
  • replies: 2

Hi All, Are there different types of anxiety/panic attacks? I feel like I've experienced three types... When my phobia is triggered which is relatively often...I generally; Forget to breathe for quite a while... And then gasp one big breathe of air..... View more

Hi All, Are there different types of anxiety/panic attacks? I feel like I've experienced three types... When my phobia is triggered which is relatively often...I generally; Forget to breathe for quite a while... And then gasp one big breathe of air.. Then forget to breathe again I feel sick and end up with the runs (sorry, TMI) I usually tremble like I'm really cold... All my joints shake. And I shut down. I can't bring myself to talk because I feel so trapped in my head. Then on two occasions in my life I haven't had the above symptoms... But I've lost feeling in my limbs.. Starting with my hands... And then all my muscles lock. One of these attacks happened to be in a doctors office. She told me I had had a hyperventilation attack. Then today I was under a particular amount of stress at work and I started to run really HOT... And extremely sweaty. Then my hands started to shake. And I was breathing, but I didn't feel like I was getting enough air... I was light headed.. And I felt spaced out. I felt like I was having what people describe to be a "proper" panic attack.. But it felt different to what I usually have... But what I usually have actually feels WORSE... This was bad, but not as bad. I don't get it... I'm confused... Does anyone else go through completely different symptoms of anxiety? Like they're completely different things happening?

ms_piX Struggling....
  • replies: 5

Feeling so alone, so uptight, and just plan anxious. I can't bring myself to get out of the house after several panic attacks while camping with a group of friends over New Year, and every trip out is a mammoth effort and task.... I just can't wait t... View more

Feeling so alone, so uptight, and just plan anxious. I can't bring myself to get out of the house after several panic attacks while camping with a group of friends over New Year, and every trip out is a mammoth effort and task.... I just can't wait to get back to the safety of "my space" at home. The house is a mess, and its driving me even more insane... I don't even want to leave the bedroom because just seeing what has happened since I last left the bedroom is overwhelming and depressing. Hubby is seemingly oblivious to my struggle, or just doesn't know what to do and I just want to scream... but to be honest, I just have to focus on keeping breathing. I don't even know where to start. I feel bad that he has to deal with me... I can feel his resentment and I can understand it, but why can't he understand where I'm at?? The kids keep screaming, and I just want to tell them to shut up, it hurts my head. I'm a terrible mother. I have no reason to feel like this... I just do. I can't help it, and I can't help myself.

crypticpotatoeye Another driving anxiety thread
  • replies: 1

Hello! So I'm 28 years old, relatively new to Australia, and just got my green P license a week ago. As I'm over 25, I went straight to green P instead of having to go through red for a year. I've been taking driving lessons since July and I was abso... View more

Hello! So I'm 28 years old, relatively new to Australia, and just got my green P license a week ago. As I'm over 25, I went straight to green P instead of having to go through red for a year. I've been taking driving lessons since July and I was absolutely sure I wasn't going to pass my practical driving exam on the first go but I did so I was thankful for that. Having passed the test, I started driving on my own to and from work immediately the next day, and I was successful. Yesterday, however, I made the mistake of going straight through a roundabout as someone was making an exit. I didn't expect he was going to make a U-turn and I failed to see his signal because of the sun's glare, but nevertheless, I was in the wrong and he tooted his horn at me once. I panicked and had to pull up just to calm myself down. Just earlier tonight, on my way back from work, I was stopped at a traffic light and was a little over the pedestrian line so I reversed just a bit noticing that the oncoming car behind me was a fair bit aways. When the light turned green, I realized I failed to put my gear back on drive (good thing I didn't crash onto the car behind me!) I panicked and exited out of the intersection cursing myself for my mistake. Immediately after, a block away from the intersection, I slowed down because of a road hump just before a roundabout, and again, made the mistake of going straight through as someone was turning. I held my hand up at the window so the driver knows I'm apologetic but this isn't helping me sleep. The entire scenario keeps playing over and over in my head, and it's making me terrified to go back on the road. I'm realizing that the more anxious I get after making a single mistake, the more likely I am to make another. Do you guys have any similar experiences? What are some advice you can offer for a new learner?

Bluey_moon What to do when miss placed advice sends you backward
  • replies: 2

So I've had an ok couple of days! I was truley starting to trust the proffesionals. But I had this annoying habit that I would listen so carefully to everything. So this morning half asleep with my son, I could here a ladies voice far away, but I put... View more

So I've had an ok couple of days! I was truley starting to trust the proffesionals. But I had this annoying habit that I would listen so carefully to everything. So this morning half asleep with my son, I could here a ladies voice far away, but I put it down to someone walking past ect, then on getting up realised my husband was playing music. Releived! But then i contacted BB chat for some advice on how not to misread all sounds, she gave me a hearing voices website! Woah! Just when I was believing it was my anxiety! Finally trusting my diagnosis!

ci Tiered of the ocd Rollercoaster 😭
  • replies: 5

Not sure what to write don't want to just ramble all the horrible mess that is in my head but needed to vent my frustration. I'm tired I've been doing so well this last month made steps forward and have made big plans for the year ahead because felt ... View more

Not sure what to write don't want to just ramble all the horrible mess that is in my head but needed to vent my frustration. I'm tired I've been doing so well this last month made steps forward and have made big plans for the year ahead because felt like I was improving! Last couple days been hard and feel like I'm back on the floor again. How am I going to get better how am I going to achieve goals for the year? This illness seems so cruel!!

Scotchfinger I struggle to feel part of any group
  • replies: 6

Even on BB I struggle with this. I think there is a part of me that doesn't want to commit to a group's thinking or values. It may be an arrogance thing or even an inferiority complex masked as arrogance. That's why I can't be completely happy at any... View more

Even on BB I struggle with this. I think there is a part of me that doesn't want to commit to a group's thinking or values. It may be an arrogance thing or even an inferiority complex masked as arrogance. That's why I can't be completely happy at any workplace, church or hobby group. I've been to countless churches but in the end I'll say to myself "oh but I can't accept that part of their doctrine". At work, it'll be 'oh that boss doesn't really like me much or respect my performance" or "these colleagues look down on me". Also intolerance on my part. "oh that person just gets on my nerves." And I know I probably get on their nerves too. In my huge family of 4 brothers and 3 sisters, I choose to remain an outsider. I don't really connect with any of them anymore. And I am very careful to not tell them any juicy gossip such as my current state of unemployment. (they all live interstate). So overall I see this pattern of wanting to stay an outsider, a loner. Maybe I feel afraid for others to see the real me. Or in fact for the others to see the real me on a regular basis. I've found you have to especially wear a mask with family, because they are highly judgemental. Mental illness is not prevalent in our family. It's a more competitive "don't let the team down" kind of atmosphere. least that's the way I see it. There are some high achievers in my family which makes me feel inferior and unsuccessful. And a very low incidence of being out of work. So I would be seen now as a slacker, which is partly what I think of myself anyway.

Bluey_moon How do I learn to trust the professionals?
  • replies: 19

I have GAD and a bit of OCD, my obsession at the moment (well has been for some months now), is me having schizophrenia. I have been told by a few professionals that i'm not! How do i learn to believe them in the long term?

I have GAD and a bit of OCD, my obsession at the moment (well has been for some months now), is me having schizophrenia. I have been told by a few professionals that i'm not! How do i learn to believe them in the long term?

TJTJ anxiety causing insomnia, which causes anxiety
  • replies: 5

Hello all. I am starting a new job soon. For 10 years I've been working afternoon shifts and finishing work at 11pm. My new job requires a 730am start. I have tried to do this early shift recently in my current job and I cannot sleep. I become extrem... View more

Hello all. I am starting a new job soon. For 10 years I've been working afternoon shifts and finishing work at 11pm. My new job requires a 730am start. I have tried to do this early shift recently in my current job and I cannot sleep. I become extremely anxious thinking I'll get no sleep. I get physically sick from the anxiety. This makes the insomnia worse. Normally I have no trouble with sleeping. But now I'll have to be up at 5am every day. Does anyone have a similar problem? This only happens if I need to get up so early for work. I have had nights where I won't sleep at all, still awake 6am and my anxiety refuses to let me sleep.

ChildoftheWolf16 Battling intrusive ocd
  • replies: 4

Hey there. I'm new here. I'm a mother of two and a wife. I haven't told my husband because he would think I'm crazy. He already freaked out because instead of telling him I had intrusive thoughts, I said I thought about suicidal things. And I don't. ... View more

Hey there. I'm new here. I'm a mother of two and a wife. I haven't told my husband because he would think I'm crazy. He already freaked out because instead of telling him I had intrusive thoughts, I said I thought about suicidal things. And I don't. So, I lied. Anyway, after that he took my baby from me and said he needed to quit his job to make sure I'm okay. He was overreacting and didn't. But I've had intrusive thoughts since being a teen. Except they went away. Until after giving birth and a couple of weeks after bringing baby home. Everything was fine and then I guess things calmed down and I started having thoughts. My counselor says it's mental ocd and anxiety as well as complex pstd because of what I witnessed my father do to my brother. How do you guys cope with this? I have been taking up meditating and it's been some what helpful. But I only jus started. I will be doing mindfulness meditation too. There's some books I've thoughts about reading. But what are some good book recommendations? Please don't judge me. I'd never hurt even a nasty spider. It scares me and I already feel crazy.