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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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StephJade first timer- any helpful suggestions or encouragement?
  • replies: 8

hey guys, I'm a little nervous writing on here because I don't usually get involved with things like this but reading the stories and responses from people I feel like it is a safe place. It really does touch me and brought a tear to my eye how peopl... View more

hey guys, I'm a little nervous writing on here because I don't usually get involved with things like this but reading the stories and responses from people I feel like it is a safe place. It really does touch me and brought a tear to my eye how people are so willing to help one another with their common struggles. I have always had an anxious personality but was officially diagnosed during my hsc. Nobody that I'm close with understands what its live with anxiety. The constant worrying, the shame that you feel like you can't do what other people can, the poor self esteem and all of the rest of it. My worst coping mechanism is vomiting, I don't know why it started or why I do it but I will go and eat a whole lot of food when i's really nervous and anxious and go and vomit it up. My psychologist why I just started to see said that its a form of self harm and that im punishing myself. Please help me, I so much want to use my anxious personality in a positive way so it keeps me on top of everything and organized not take my livelihood away from me. how do you guys improve your confidence and overcome your personal struggles?! thankyou for your help, StephJade

Fenerbahce Can someone challenge me?
  • replies: 7

Hi all. im new to this forum. i think I'm going through some sort of anxiety. ive had a very rough 7 years which involved getting married (very stressful), moving interstate, constant battles with families etc. I used to have chest pains etc which wo... View more

Hi all. im new to this forum. i think I'm going through some sort of anxiety. ive had a very rough 7 years which involved getting married (very stressful), moving interstate, constant battles with families etc. I used to have chest pains etc which would drive me anxious and send me straight to the hospital and of course they would ecg blood tests and tell me that I just have anxiety. Finally I sought some help from acupuncture and my phantom thoughts and symptoms disappeared for year. these 3 months have been very stressful to the extent that I developed pain in my upper abdomen for a total of 4-6 weeks that no one could diagnose until I demanded a CT scan, to which my symptoms were relating to appendicitis. Anyway, got that fixed and I was really good till one week later just as I was about to sleep I woke up to what felt like an electric shock with a burst of energy and tingling in my left arm, jaw, neck and chest. I automatically assumed I was having a heart attack and ended up in hospital, which resulted in ECG and blood tests to which it all came clear, what was funny was as soon as the doctor said my ecg was clear, my symptoms disappeared. I came home, however, my pains continued and I had self doubt. I also developed dizziness and my left eye kept twitching. A week later the same thing happened again and I freaked out again. i am now having moderate palpitations and my doctor assures me that nothing is wrong but I can help but wonder why and why it happened out of no where! my doctor has pescribed me valium to which I am taking only when necessary. Last night I fell asleep and an hour later I woke up feeling something terrible was bound to happen and I was sweating and my left arm was numb.. I couldn't go back to sleep until I took another valium. today all I can think about is last night.. And what scares me is the thought of going to bed. can someone tell me what's going on??? And how i can beat this? im in self doubt always saying there is something wrong with my heart, I'm 28 and a little overweight. Used to smoke but quit 2 years ago

Lehnah Freaking Out - Suggestions?
  • replies: 5

Hello folks. It's my first time posting here but I've been a lurker for some time. So, before I get into the actual reason for posting a little background info. I was diagnosed with depression about seven years ago. It's been hard, but I've managed t... View more

Hello folks. It's my first time posting here but I've been a lurker for some time. So, before I get into the actual reason for posting a little background info. I was diagnosed with depression about seven years ago. It's been hard, but I've managed to control it for the most part for the past five years with the help of medication. However, there have been instances ofself harm and very black moments where suicide has been strongly considered. However, for the last two years or so things have been good. Now, though, I'm finding myself falling back into the darker moments. The catalyst for this is that I recently found out that my licence is going to be revoked for three months. I was caught speeding while driving in an area I did not know while trying to keep up with the flow of surrounding traffic. I'm on my Ps so lost all 7 points. The silver lining here is that the months I'll be unable to drive is December through to March. I'm a casual school teacher, so those months are when I wouldn't be working anyway, with the exception of February, but as I'm casual that might be only the last two weeks or so of that month. However, with the HSC now done there is little to no work for casual teachers for the rest of 2014. I've tried to save as much as I can over the last year to have enough to get by over this period but due to one big even in my life I wasn't able to save as much as I would have liked. But now I look at my funds and while I thought I was doing a good job of saving I'm feeling that I should have done a better one. Basically, I' m scared I'm not going to have enough money to eat (but I can pay the rent). On top of this I've just started a new relationship and I' m scared that I'm going to scare this girl off because of my depression and anxiety (I don't think I have an anxiety "problem," but I'm experiencing it due to the reasons stated above). She's great, but it can be a hard thing to handle when your partner has depression. Also I've told my parents about losing my licence. Dad was fine and supportive but my mum seems angry. She can be quite judgmental and often makes me feel somewhat worthless, even if she doesn't intend to. All of these things have amounted into me only just keeping things together. The thoughts of "everyone would be better off without me" have started up again. I'm not wanting to leave the house. I feel ashamed and pathetic and like a criminal. beyondblue’s clinically-trained moderators often work offline (invisible to you) on issues relating to suicide or self-harm. At the same time, general supportive comments from the community are encouraged. If you have concerns around suicide or self-harm, please phone our support service on 1300 22 4636.

Kelcrow Real or just the anxiety?
  • replies: 2

hi all, I am 23 and have been dealing with anxiety/depression since I was about 17. Sometimes I feel like I have it all under control, but recently I feel like I'm starting to relapse (not wanting to do social things, wanting to be in bed all the tim... View more

hi all, I am 23 and have been dealing with anxiety/depression since I was about 17. Sometimes I feel like I have it all under control, but recently I feel like I'm starting to relapse (not wanting to do social things, wanting to be in bed all the time...) this is due to some relationship stress at the moment. It always manifests itself into feeling nauseous and feeling like I'm getting sick. I get dizzy, and feel brain foggy. I wanted to know in general do you all sometimes feel like , what I'm feeling, is it real? Or just anxiety. I get worried that one day it may actually be something medically important and I will just flick it off as anxiety ...

Jen89 Trying to cope with DP/DR
  • replies: 2

Hello this is my first time on this forum and am hoping to find some guidance and advice from those who are suffering with DP/DR.. I have been suffering from this horrible disorder for the last 7 months and can honestly say on my 'bad days' I feel li... View more

Hello this is my first time on this forum and am hoping to find some guidance and advice from those who are suffering with DP/DR.. I have been suffering from this horrible disorder for the last 7 months and can honestly say on my 'bad days' I feel like I'm completely losing my mind. I'm struggling to cope with the simplest tasks which is making my day to day living a real struggle. I like to consider myself to be a glass is half full kind of person but this disorder has slowly drained me from all positivity. There are days where I feel so worthless I can't even look at myself in the mirror or begin to understand how anybody can love me. I am curious to know if anyone shares any of the symptoms I have: distorted vision, feeling detached from your body, social anxiety, paranoid when speaking, foggy memory, decreased concentration and numbness (no emotion) I am 25 years old and just wanting to live again, I want to appreciate every day rather than dread stepping foot outside my house. I use to love meeting new people, being social and have always been considered to have a big confident personality. If anyone has any advice on how to cope better with this disorder please feel free to share I would love to hear some positive stories and know that there is a way of beating this and getting my life back. Thank you for reading

Amali Tips to Overcome Social Anxiety
  • replies: 5

I am a terrible conversation starter, I get stressed in social situations. I currently have two offices in two separate towns, currently going through a bad break up and feel like I don't belong anywhere. The office I have in my home town is full of ... View more

I am a terrible conversation starter, I get stressed in social situations. I currently have two offices in two separate towns, currently going through a bad break up and feel like I don't belong anywhere. The office I have in my home town is full of friendly young people and while I have the urge to socialise with these people I get overwhelmed when they are in a room together and because they know each-other well I feel I am out of the loop and have nothing to offer to the group. I have had counselling but it didn't focus on my social anxiety as much as my stressful relationship. I know I need to meet people and socialising is good for dealing with a break up but as soon as I walk into a room full of people I quickly make a coffee and duck back to my office. I work independently, not as a team. So my only chance to socialise is on coffee breaks. I just can't break the cycle, I know I'm isolating myself and people have probably got used to me "running away" and probably think I'm not friendly. I'm just so lost at the moment, can't make any decisions and anxiety is crippling me. Amali

HockeyGal I feel like I am drowning
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone, I am a first time visitor to these forums and have been inspired by all of your tales of strength in the annoying/ uncompromising face of anxiety. I would like to share my story, even if it is just for my benefit to string out the words ... View more

Hi everyone, I am a first time visitor to these forums and have been inspired by all of your tales of strength in the annoying/ uncompromising face of anxiety. I would like to share my story, even if it is just for my benefit to string out the words so it makes a little sense to me. I was a small child when my mother realized I wasn't like my identical twin sister I was always a highly strung, crybaby of a little girl but things really seemed amiss when I began having frequent night terrors after my 6th birthday. I would get up and out of bed, screaming and walk upstairs to my parents, who would then calm me down and put me back to sleep. These occurred for about a year. The doctor said that I was internalizing my worries and I have to say that I continue to do this in my adult self having vivid dreams occur at times of high anxiety. My symptoms subsided for a few years then popped up mid high school where anxiety reared its ugly head again and I developed panic attacks. I was scared of everything from loud classmates, to teachers calling me for a question. I spent a lot of time in the girl's bathroom either wagging or thinking about how I could go back to class strong. I am currently mid way through University and my symptoms have been worsening this past year as I moved out of home, had an abusive roommate and had to work more to fully support myself while studying. I miss my family but I am glad that I am no longer a burden to them. I just wish that it would take me less time to get ready in the morning double and triple checking outfits and makeup, I wish that I could look people in the eye and not look at the ground when I walk. I wish that I didn't worry about big picture things such as if my career path is going to turn out for retirement. I have received therapy but I feel like I'm being crushed under my anxiety with no way to fix it. Thank you for reading I know its not particularly inspiring.

Tugboat Anxiety with sickness
  • replies: 1

Every time I have any sort of pain for a few days I feel as though I am dying...... This takes over my whole life. I end up at the doctors for tests and waiting for results this afternoon. I get this overwhelming feeling of I am dying which makes me ... View more

Every time I have any sort of pain for a few days I feel as though I am dying...... This takes over my whole life. I end up at the doctors for tests and waiting for results this afternoon. I get this overwhelming feeling of I am dying which makes me depressed and not want to do anything! All I want to do is sleep so I can forget everything going on.

Elizabeth_Weerd Anxiety that gets worse the same time every year...
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone, I am new to the forums and groups and wanted to reach out. Hello! I suffer with anxiety which I have always found that I can manage with a good diet and exercise. I only just realised around October each year I start to struggle alot and... View more

Hi everyone, I am new to the forums and groups and wanted to reach out. Hello! I suffer with anxiety which I have always found that I can manage with a good diet and exercise. I only just realised around October each year I start to struggle alot and then find myself looking up counsellors and diagnosing myself again. I called my counsellor and she said, "oh the last time we saw you was this time last year!!" That was when it clicked. Even my boyfriend noticed this as well.. I broke up with him this time last year as things were just too much for me. We got back together in February which is when things seem to calm down for me. So what do I do? It has just gotten so bad I feel quite miserable and feel I can't talk to anyone about it.. and I'm pretty sure my boyfriend is sick of listening to me. I have started withdrawing from church because big groups can be difficult. I feel really lonely and my anxiety seems to be attaching to everything: relationship, career, money...... Any advice would be super helpful. I have booked to see the counsellor next week. I will continue to exercise and eat well. if you have any recommendations I would really appreciate it.

Stormgrl101 It's Monday morning
  • replies: 30

And I'm not even out of bed yet and am panicking and anxious about the day ahead and don't know where to start or what to do. Why does life feel so pointless. I don't know how much more I can take!!! hope you all are well

And I'm not even out of bed yet and am panicking and anxious about the day ahead and don't know where to start or what to do. Why does life feel so pointless. I don't know how much more I can take!!! hope you all are well