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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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ELove ADHD/Bipolar/Anxiety - undergoing diagnosis and fixing a misdiagnosis.
  • replies: 1

Hi guys, more than anything I'm probably looking for support and people to relate to more than answers. I've been around these parts but have never posted, so I'm looking forward to getting more involved. I was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Diso... View more

Hi guys, more than anything I'm probably looking for support and people to relate to more than answers. I've been around these parts but have never posted, so I'm looking forward to getting more involved. I was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder and mild depression when I was 16 by a GP, and after being on and off with various psychologists and medications for a few years (I'm nearly 22) I decided to commit to a new psychologist at uni, who I am very pleased with. She thinks I might have ADHD, has spoken to my parents, and is trying to discern whether I may have ADHD or bipolar. The prospect of a new diagnosis is terrifying me. The reason I went to see a psychologist again is because I can't get through uni, I've completely lost all motivation, focus, creativity, any form of drive, but I'm not necessarily all that sad. I think the medication may be having an effect on that; making me feel flat and completely blocking out my ability to even react to stressful situations. I'm starting to think the only times I'm genuinely very happy is when I'm drinking with friends.... That's probably an issue. Not being able to complete tasks has had a huge effect on my life, I've started feeling pretty hopeless, as if time is running out and I've wasted my life. Kind of like life keeps moving and I'm just going through the motions to scrape through, being tripped up but having just enough energy to stay upright and look normal, but nothing more than that. I have huge goals that will never come to fruition if I can't commit myself but I can't see a change in myself coming. It's scary. Anyone else feeling something similar or have some pearls of wisdom?

KymKymKym Needing advice on how to deal with generalized anxiety
  • replies: 3

Hi, I am desperate for any help or advice on how to live with or deal with generalized anxiety. I hate feeling like this, I want to be myself again! I was diganosed with it only a couple months ago, have been seeing a doctor every 2 weeks and have be... View more

Hi, I am desperate for any help or advice on how to live with or deal with generalized anxiety. I hate feeling like this, I want to be myself again! I was diganosed with it only a couple months ago, have been seeing a doctor every 2 weeks and have been speaking with a counsellor. My anxiety and depression is caused by my job. I hate it. I hate thinking about it, seeing ads about the company I work for on TV, even washing my uniforms is hard. I have been looking and applying for so many jobs and haven't even got an interview which is making me feel unworthy and depressed. I can't leave as I need my wage to live. I'm not entitled to any financial help. I have not been sleeping properly for months, not eating, I avoid going out as I feel "scared", and everything I loved doing before, I hate now. I feel like my mind and heart is constantly racing, I feel like crying all the time. I'm trying to get professional help, but feel like it isn't working as I do need to go to my job every week. I just want to know if anyone who has been in a similar situation can give me advice or tips on how to not be so anxious all the time. Thank you for reading.

Feeling_Helpless New on forum : Feeling Uworthy and unappreciated.
  • replies: 4

Hi all, so i have predisposition to Anxiety and depression though most of the time i am a tough and confident well rounded person. The last year of my life has been chaotic to say the least, just extreemly busy with two toddlers and a few personal tr... View more

Hi all, so i have predisposition to Anxiety and depression though most of the time i am a tough and confident well rounded person. The last year of my life has been chaotic to say the least, just extreemly busy with two toddlers and a few personal traumas that have caused me to become very anxious. I wear my heart on my sleave and always try to be kind and helpful and i will bend over backward to help everyone i love however, over the years it hasnt been reciprocated by anyone. Mainly those in my closest circle and i take it all. Now i am hurting so much and i feel a lack of support around me. I have a very close in age sibling who is a master manipulator and has everyone roped in on her side when she belittles me or tries to place herself above me and when i stand my ground i am torn to shreds. I spent years supporting my husband through his issues of the most unsupportive parents who never accepted me and it is an on going issue. He doesnt stand his ground even to this day so im left to sort everything out for myself and him and i am just tired of fighting and arguing and beinf told that its all my fault. I have supportive friends but i want my family to be the ones to support me. Instead i am amazing when i am babysitting, doing favours etc but the moment i am not i am put down and walked all over. It have made me distrust everyone around me including myseflf. My happiness is gone, my spark is gone, i used to be so cheerful and positive and now i feel like only the love of my children is stopping me from falling deeper in the hell hole i fear ill never get out of. I am so deeply hurt and feel immensw guilt for my children because i cant be the mother i need to be at the moment because im not strong enough to protect myself emotionally. I feel like a failure i know im a good mum but i dont feel it now and i feel ashamed for letting all the belitlling get to me but i can help it and i dont know what else to do or who else to turn to. Any advice will be much appreciated.

Rollin Anxiety - What I have learned
  • replies: 1

I have found the pills did nothing expect make me sicker. I have tried very hard to self manage myself but it is very hard. My anxieties are medium most of the time and high every now and again. It does ruin your life no doubt but you have to try to ... View more

I have found the pills did nothing expect make me sicker. I have tried very hard to self manage myself but it is very hard. My anxieties are medium most of the time and high every now and again. It does ruin your life no doubt but you have to try to work around it. My physc sessions were not that useful however the one thing that I found really good was the link between anxieties and depression. The brains serotonin levels go down as your anxiety goes up. You may know this, so its a balancing act. So the way to increase serotonin levels is through natural causes not pills which only balance the levels.. There is list of things that do including being happy with yourself, which is the first thing to do of course. But also regular exercises, discussions with other people, eating nice food, etc. There is plenty of literature on this. All the things that make you feel good. I also do meditation sessions and there is a really good one on line app called 'Headspace". Its great. Also yoga sessions. Learn to do the breathing techniques, it really works pretty well for me and I had never done meditation before I started getting these attacks. There is a lot of literature and help on these subjects. If there is a particular thing that is causing problems you may need to fix that also (if possible), but always hard. I still have these problems but working on them your self I think is a better option than pills. If it is too extreme you may need the pills as well but still work on the tasks I mentioned above..

Nickname1 Shortness of Breath - Panic Disorder - Anyone? Someone? - I feel like my life is over at 25
  • replies: 3

Hi All, I suffered my first panic attack just a few weeks back. I saw a GP which Beyond Blue referred me to, but he was no good, or I was just to negative. I saw a psychologist for the first time last Thursday and she told me exactly what that GP tol... View more

Hi All, I suffered my first panic attack just a few weeks back. I saw a GP which Beyond Blue referred me to, but he was no good, or I was just to negative. I saw a psychologist for the first time last Thursday and she told me exactly what that GP told me. That I have to read some printed materials and control my breathing. I honestly find that it isn't helping me at all. What is some writing on a piece of paper going to do to make me better is what I'm thinking. Meditation doesn't work for me, neither do those slow deep breathing techniques. Surely my only way out isn't to start taking anti depressants or similar medication? I DO NOT WANT MEDICATION AT ALL AS I FEAR ADDICTION. I have one or two panic attacks a day almost, and I'm always trying to go for "that breath" all day whether I'm in the middle of panic attack or not. My symptoms are there 24/7 basically. Shortness of breath, tight in the chest, can't breathe basically. I go to bed each night now hoping that I may wake up feeling better the next morning, however this is not the case. I find myself gasping for that breath almost within 2 minutes of being awake. Is anyone else experiencing or has experienced the same as myself? I feel so scared that this will be with me for the rest of my life now, and that I'll get depression eventually and of course not be able to live life to the fullest again. Maybe I need to stop being so negative? Thank you if you took the time to read and reply.

tulpa Too anxious to talk to people
  • replies: 6

I'm too anxious to talk to people but if I don't I get depressed, is there any way to win? I also find talking to anyone extremely difficult, what would i say?

I'm too anxious to talk to people but if I don't I get depressed, is there any way to win? I also find talking to anyone extremely difficult, what would i say?

HelenM Anxiety. Confusing
  • replies: 6

I ve had depression for many years ,Gradually it's become milder. But last year I started to get brief episodes of fear. They were easing. But two months ago a good friend took his life. I ve had grief, fear, some good days. The fear is often that I ... View more

I ve had depression for many years ,Gradually it's become milder. But last year I started to get brief episodes of fear. They were easing. But two months ago a good friend took his life. I ve had grief, fear, some good days. The fear is often that I lol go into a bad depression again. This time the symptoms are worse. Mainly I mean that I can t be distracted by anything. I'm terrified that this anxiety will become massive or put me into a bad depression. I ve Ben told by people that my depression has turned to anxiety and doctors have been telling me it 's more anxiety now. I m so scared. I know I have to carry on with my routine but it 's not helping. I can tell see things getting better. I can only imagine going through a terrible time. Because I m not used to anxiety I Don t know how it goes. I suppose I got to know my depression. I see my gp in about ten days. If anyone can advise me I d really appreciate it. I feel lost. Helen

Camir Unmotivated to help myself
  • replies: 1

As an individual i have been battling my depression/anxiety for about a decade and at the age of 26 it feels as though it has ruined everything in my life. I recently left a 5 year relationship upon realising how toxic it was for me, i can't seem to ... View more

As an individual i have been battling my depression/anxiety for about a decade and at the age of 26 it feels as though it has ruined everything in my life. I recently left a 5 year relationship upon realising how toxic it was for me, i can't seem to get my way through university without hating every second of it and i feel as though I'm sabotaging the last friendship i have. These are the years I'm truly meant to have grown into a respectable responsible person, these are the years i should have enjoyed and had fun, instead i feel like I've done nothing but waste them. As i sit here to write this i truly say that i hate myself for what i haven't done or achieved with the time granted to me. I am so unmotivated despite seeing someone who is trying to help me. There is only so long i can drag my last friend through my shit when all she tried to do is help me. Currently, i am seeing a therapist who i have found to be quite helpful and understanding in comparison to others I've been to. As helpful as she is i cannot seem to put into place one set of homework i was given. "find myself a social hobby in an effort to reduce social anxiety and stop absolute thinking. My absolute thinking takes form in how i perceive trying new things, and meeting new people". I constantly feel confused as i have days where i really try hard and get things done, but then it seems i fall right back into old isolation type habits. Im not feeling the consequences of these days, i see them but i don't feel them. and it makes it very hard to get out of this situation I'm in. A good example is my friend who is very frustrated with me at the moment because i have had 2 weeks off work to try improve my situation and I've done absolutely nothing. I am begging my friend not to give up on me even though it seems I've given up on myself. In the back of my mind i know that i will go to sleep tonight and wake up tomorrow and these feelings of guilt will be gone and i can just settle into my old ways again. Like i said, i see consequences but i don't feel them. Please any advice would be so very appreciated. I'm not sure how long i can keep disappointing others and myself.

Princessstephie Really bad health anxiety :(
  • replies: 2

Hi I'm new here, and have suffered really bad anxiety since I was about 14 years old I'm now 35 years old!! it has gotten so much worse over the last 12 months, to the point I can hardly sleep at night and constantly worry during the day that I have ... View more

Hi I'm new here, and have suffered really bad anxiety since I was about 14 years old I'm now 35 years old!! it has gotten so much worse over the last 12 months, to the point I can hardly sleep at night and constantly worry during the day that I have cancer, I've been a smoker since I was 13 and stopped 12 days ago, I'm constantly getting pains in my back between my shoulder blades, stomach, diarrhoea, dizzyness, nausea, random pains throughout my body!! i currently think I have lung cancer, ovarian cancer, cervical cancer and colan cancer! I'm to scared to go to a doctor, as I don't want to be told I'm dying of cancer, I have 6 children and I'm scared to death of dying and leaving them alone has anyone else go this? I'm seriously going out of my mind!!

Kengy Awful awful anxiety
  • replies: 1

Hi I wrote on this site a few days ago about my panic attacks and anxiety. Last night and today have been awful, so much so that I've run away from my home, and my family. I just cannot cope anymore. I want this to just stop. I get breathing issues, ... View more

Hi I wrote on this site a few days ago about my panic attacks and anxiety. Last night and today have been awful, so much so that I've run away from my home, and my family. I just cannot cope anymore. I want this to just stop. I get breathing issues, burning arms, nausea, and spinning thoughts. I also feel restless. How can I ever go back to work like this? Does it ever end?