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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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fatima I hate the ups and downs
  • replies: 11

so frustrated. after weeks of regular panic attacks, I felt calm for a few days . Not happy but at least calm and feeling that i might be regaining a bit of control on my way to crawl out of the black hole. Well guess not, two nights of poor sleep (b... View more

so frustrated. after weeks of regular panic attacks, I felt calm for a few days . Not happy but at least calm and feeling that i might be regaining a bit of control on my way to crawl out of the black hole. Well guess not, two nights of poor sleep (bloody mind keeps going in circles) and I just broke down again today. so over it. why cant life just be a bit more easy. rant over

Koodji I suspect I have panic disorder
  • replies: 3

Hello, Im Koodji, um don't really know how to do this so will just say it how it is....I suspect I have Panic Disorder. Yes, I should seek professional help...but I've been scared off by one GP who said I was kidding myself and seeking medication. I ... View more

Hello, Im Koodji, um don't really know how to do this so will just say it how it is....I suspect I have Panic Disorder. Yes, I should seek professional help...but I've been scared off by one GP who said I was kidding myself and seeking medication. I told him from the outset I didn't WANT medication. Anyway. I did the beyond blue test (honestly!) and came out 'High'. Can't say I was surprised as I've got all the pointers....family history, repeated attacks, started age 34, irrational thoughts (even though I tell myself they are irrational) elevated heartbeat, disilusion from reality when they occur...yada yada. Some things, sometimes, work (after trying to rationalise the irrational), for example... 1. phoning my awesome other half and saying "Positive". That's his cue to tell me some positive thing. He does one heck of a job dreaming something up on the spot. 2. Breathing, walking away or changing the circumstances. Not always convenient but worth a crack. 3. Trying to out-think my own brain. A form of CBT, I guess. I ask myself a series of questions, e.g WHY has this happened? WHAT can you do to change it, WHO can you call for help if it doesn't work. Somtimes though. They stick around, despite my efforts and last alllllll day. I'm exhausted by the end of it. It's debilitating. Dunno what to do. A nurse once used a pressure point (temples) when I freaked out so bad I thought I was having a 'Heart Attack' one day and called the other half at work to drive me to hospital. I was also at work. Not that it always happens at work. Can anyone advise alternative pressure points that might work for my condition? The temples appear to have stopped working. Sorry for the long post! one more thing (sorry!) I'm also looking for somewhere I can 'post' during meetings etc that doesn't look sus and get some sympathy....yours in suffering, Koodji

Chicken_Wings I'm feeling scared today
  • replies: 3

I've been feeling scared most days, but today I feel particularly scared. I'm scared about the future and about my health and about what's going to happen to me and of becoming even more scared. I don't know what I expect from this post, I just wante... View more

I've been feeling scared most days, but today I feel particularly scared. I'm scared about the future and about my health and about what's going to happen to me and of becoming even more scared. I don't know what I expect from this post, I just wanted to tell someone.

Haveachat2u Anxiety issues
  • replies: 3

I have anxiety, everybody is saying its normal. I'm going through some big things at the moment. I have just about finished my bachelor degree, I have been offered honors, but I'm going through the process to get my dream job. This job is takes a sev... View more

I have anxiety, everybody is saying its normal. I'm going through some big things at the moment. I have just about finished my bachelor degree, I have been offered honors, but I'm going through the process to get my dream job. This job is takes a several months of interviews to possibly get selected. I'm afraid that I won't get the job. I can't stop thinking about what I will do if they find me lacking and choose someone else for the job. These months of waiting gives me a lot of anxiety. HELP

Nessie1602 New member
  • replies: 5

hello All, I'm new to this site, I found it by accident when looking for information and support for bipolar disorder and BPD. Its helpful reading the posts, I'm not alone, I always thought I was. Glad I found you.

hello All, I'm new to this site, I found it by accident when looking for information and support for bipolar disorder and BPD. Its helpful reading the posts, I'm not alone, I always thought I was. Glad I found you.

REWIND How to cope with anxiety and stop fighting with my husband....
  • replies: 2

Hi all; I am new to these forums and am only just now receiving help (have visited a psychologist twice) for my generalised anxiety disorder. I feel out of control at the moment and unable to stop my worrying and find myself getting so angry at my hu... View more

Hi all; I am new to these forums and am only just now receiving help (have visited a psychologist twice) for my generalised anxiety disorder. I feel out of control at the moment and unable to stop my worrying and find myself getting so angry at my husband ALL THE TIME. He has never suffered any anxiety so finds it difficult to understand my worries and how I always immediately jump to the worst possible outcome in any situation. He loves to go out and have fun and I feel like I don't even know how to have fun anymore. He would love me to be happy and tells me all the time that I need to be happy - but I don't know what will make me happy. We have a young family so have the added stress of needing to find babysitters when we do want to go out and often for me that is just too much worry to cope with and I will generally stay home while he goes out. His job also involves a lot of social events where he is drinking and coming home at all hours of the morning. I don't sleep well and always hear him come home and just can't stop myself from confronting him and getting very angry. I want to stop this and get back to being in a loving relationship but I just don't know how to. I want to be able to go out and not worry so much about getting the kids sorted, babysitter organised, house cleaned and all the other worries that start as soon as a social event is mentioned. I would love to hear from anyone that has been in a similar situation and any strategies or tips that worked for you. I really want to feel better and I want my children to see me coping better and feeling happier. Thanks

ggina New to Here 2nd time suffering
  • replies: 2

Hi all im new to this 12yrs ago i was put on medication for panic attacks and did really good till the doctor felt i could come off the meds 3 and half months ago now i have it back worst than the first time. I have been back on the meds for 5 days a... View more

Hi all im new to this 12yrs ago i was put on medication for panic attacks and did really good till the doctor felt i could come off the meds 3 and half months ago now i have it back worst than the first time. I have been back on the meds for 5 days and its helping a little I know it takes time to get back in the system I am trying to find some info on relaxation so I can control it better.

Saft1980 Everyone else seems to have everything in place
  • replies: 8

Hello all, this is my first post. I feel like i have lots of issues going on in my life. Most of them seem to revolve around my own thoughts. I know i shouldn’t think certain ways or believe certain things but i keep on doing it. I fill my head with ... View more

Hello all, this is my first post. I feel like i have lots of issues going on in my life. Most of them seem to revolve around my own thoughts. I know i shouldn’t think certain ways or believe certain things but i keep on doing it. I fill my head with frustration and Anxiety and worry. I generally just do my best to avoid feeling like a total loser. Everyone around me seems to have so much more of their life in place, house, family, kids, job, etc. If they don’t have it then they seems to have so much more confidence in themselves to just go after it and make it happen, while i sit down in the hope that things might magically improve for me. Sometimes I kind of hope that somebody will come along and save me from myself. In other words, believe in me, even though I don’t believe in myself. I guess the question is, am i just being a wuss? I know this is a confronting way to look at it, but i also don’t want to pull my own punches. Is it fair or do I have the right to stress over my life without knowing what to do. Maybe i do have the right to feel stressed and anxious if i have problems that i don’t know how to solve. I also think if i tried harder i would be able to find the solutions to the problems that matter most. It’s just the way i feel at the moment. I’m tired of not feeling strong enough to deal with life.

Chris_B LIVE CHAT 3/12/15: A NewAccess coach's perspective on social anxiety
  • replies: 17

Hi everyone, Our next live chat will be here on Thursday 3 December, 1-2pm with Martin Tedeschi, one of beyondblue’s NewAccess coaches. NewAccess is a person-centred, low stigma, free early intervention program for people who experience mild to moder... View more

Hi everyone, Our next live chat will be here on Thursday 3 December, 1-2pm with Martin Tedeschi, one of beyondblue’s NewAccess coaches. NewAccess is a person-centred, low stigma, free early intervention program for people who experience mild to moderate depression and anxiety. Currently the program is being piloted in three trial sites - ACT, North Coast NSW and Adelaide - for anyone over the age of eighteen. Martin spent nearly 15 years as a structural landscaper, and he owned and operated a small business as a structural landscape contractor for 10 of those years. He moved to North Coast NSW and is now living in Coffs Harbour. Martin’s interest and dedication to the mental health area began when he gained his Bachelor of Psychology with Honours, followed by two years working with Lifeline. He joined NewAccess at the beginning of the program in January 2013 after completing his coaching training through Flinders University. Our live chat will be focussed on strategies to manage social anxiety, a commonly discussed topic here on our forums. PLEASE NOTE: Martin won't be able to answer questions about highly severe levels of anxiety and depression. If you are seeking this kind of support please contact our Support Service. So bookmark this thread, get your questions ready, and we'll see you back here on Thursday afternoon when this thread will be unlocked and Martin will be here to chat. (For those interested in further information about how NewAccess works, one of our forum members Daisee has a thread about her experiences using the program here.)

ci Crying again!
  • replies: 7

I'm so tiered had 2 terrible days anxiety so high causing me to be physically sick. Woke up today a little better really keen to achieve something I'm so behind with work and the house stuff! Everything seemed to go wrong though and here I am balling... View more

I'm so tiered had 2 terrible days anxiety so high causing me to be physically sick. Woke up today a little better really keen to achieve something I'm so behind with work and the house stuff! Everything seemed to go wrong though and here I am balling my eyes out again because my head has just run away with itself thoughts are crazy the pressure of day to day stuff is to much. Everyday this happens I fall more and more behind then the pressure of everything seems overwhelming and makes it worse it's this horrible cycle I can't get off! How do you make this end I feel so weak but honestly it's hell in my head! Sorry for the rant need to get it out