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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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strawberryblondie First Job Search
  • replies: 3

I’m 18 and have never worked under employment. In the last few months, I have applied for 50+ positions and heard back from 3 places. But unfortunately, the job locations were not suitable for me. I have always been a bit anxious and sensitive to rej... View more

I’m 18 and have never worked under employment. In the last few months, I have applied for 50+ positions and heard back from 3 places. But unfortunately, the job locations were not suitable for me. I have always been a bit anxious and sensitive to rejection, so this cycle of failure is really starting to depress me. I worked really hard on my resume despite the lack of experience I hold. I don’t really want to reach out to friends who are employed so they can refer me. I would feel pathetic and burdensome to them.

Melancholy Yogini Struggling to remove the mask
  • replies: 4

Hi to all who read this post. Right now I feel like an impostor. There is no doubt in my mind that I am suffering from impostor syndrome as I am struggling to remove that mask and be proud of who I am. I have endured, overcome, and accomplished so mu... View more

Hi to all who read this post. Right now I feel like an impostor. There is no doubt in my mind that I am suffering from impostor syndrome as I am struggling to remove that mask and be proud of who I am. I have endured, overcome, and accomplished so much in my life so why am I anxious and fearful about the next steps? I am weeks away from turning 50; this makes me anxious because my father died at 50 years of age. I have had these feeling for a long time, and now that I am weeks away from finishing a diploma in mental health and a few months away from completed a Bach of Psychological Sciences the thought of finishing is making me fretful. I'm a qualified yoga and Pilates teacher, and work in the counselling world; so I have all the knowledge and techniques to deal with this. I studied in all of these areas to help understand myself yet I don't feel I am any closer. If anything it has just helped me hide who I am better. I help people almost everyday to deal with life. So why can't I help myself? Are my past traumas so deeply entrenched in my psyche that they have me in a constant state of flight? I remind myself over and over what I have accomplished yet I still feel like a fraud. I find myself procrastinating now because I am anxious when thinking about actually finishing my studies. I don't know what the future holds and I should be excited yet here I am worrying about what others are going to expect from me, worrying about what my next steps will be. I feel lost. I welcome any advice or words of wisdom to help me gain a different perspective.

_Nik_ Relapse to disordered eating
  • replies: 31

Hey, I've been going through a lot lately. When I say 'a lot' I mean a lot of change. Last year I was a mess, everything seemed to be going wrong. And I admit that for the first term of school, things weren't any better, and in some cases they were w... View more

Hey, I've been going through a lot lately. When I say 'a lot' I mean a lot of change. Last year I was a mess, everything seemed to be going wrong. And I admit that for the first term of school, things weren't any better, and in some cases they were worse. But one day I was texting my closet friend (cornflakes) about being extremely hungry and wishing I could eat. He encouraged me to eat something, after all I admitted to him that I was hungry. We argued a bit, and the night ended with me eating a small thing in order to 'prove him wrong'. Before this I had tried many times to eat properly, but I'd never last long. This is my longest time that I've managed. But, things are getting really hard right now. Every time I want to eat, it's a battle with my mind. Pros and cons are all I think about. Am I eating too much? Should I be eating? Am I sick enough. Everyday is tiring. But I had an anxiety attack yesterday, and today feels just the same. Like I am going to relapse. Like all of this is for nothing. Like I am not worth enough to eat. How do I get this stupid voice to shut up? I want to be normal again so bad. But it's really hard. I don't know what to do. - Nik

Madale I have decided to take little steps to change my life.
  • replies: 4

I’m going through social anxiety disorder since childhood. I’m 38 now. I stay in the house 24/7.I cannot go out anywhere, buy anything, I cannot drive, I cannot talk to my neighbors, I cannot speak on the phone because of my social anxiety. I was gui... View more

I’m going through social anxiety disorder since childhood. I’m 38 now. I stay in the house 24/7.I cannot go out anywhere, buy anything, I cannot drive, I cannot talk to my neighbors, I cannot speak on the phone because of my social anxiety. I was guilty for not having a job. I was harsh on myself for feeling and behaving weird. I always had negative things to say about myself. I never loved me. I never even looked at me in the mirror. I hated me. I was ashamed of me. I blamed myself for having social anxiety.3 yrs back I took a decision that I wanted to change my life.I started searching for videos on YouTube that could help me. I follow Aaron Doughty, Mel Robbins, Julien Himself, Dr. Julie, Teal Swan, Clark Kegley, Jay Shetty and Brian Scott. I decided to become a better version of myself every day I wake up.It took me 2 years to completely forgive my parents. It wasn’t easy, remembering and acknowledging the mental abuse. It was hard, almost impossible. I just didn’t want to go there, but I had decided to heal myself. I had to explain to myself that it wasn’t my fault. It was their behavior. It was about them. Maybe it’s what their parents did to them, but I have proudly decided I will not be the same to my children or my husband. It’s from me that the chord will be cut!I am learning about myself. I am discovering myself. I have started owning my social anxiety. Throughout the day I tell myself, you got this, I am proud of you, you are so confident around people, the best people come to you, I am rooting for you! Nobody will love you more than me!I make sure I don’t be harsh on myself anymore; I make sure I don’t talk negative about myself. When something goes wrong, my mind immediately start to think bad about myself but I quickly turn it around and talk positive. I have started respecting myself. I look in the mirror and tell myself what you’re going through is not your fault.I could not leave the bed before, now I wake up, have my tea and kneel down and pray to the universe for all the people who are suffering mentally and physically, that’s the least I can do.I have a pen and a notebook now; I’m making plans as to how to get out of the house and all. I am fighting my fears. Not easy. But I have decided that I want to enjoy my life. Let’s see what happens.I thought of sharing, thank you.

Rosanne123 Anti psychotics
  • replies: 4

Hi,I'm on my second attempt to withdraw from an antipsychotic,took it slowly this time.Last time my anxiety all came back and I had to go back on it.Anyone have any luck getting off this?I've been on it for two years and put on weight.It makes me sle... View more

Hi,I'm on my second attempt to withdraw from an antipsychotic,took it slowly this time.Last time my anxiety all came back and I had to go back on it.Anyone have any luck getting off this?I've been on it for two years and put on weight.It makes me sleep too long and I feel like a zombie.You get terrible insomnia coming off this as well.Jyst would like to chat to anyone that has any ideas on how to successfully withdraw from an antipsychotic.Thanks

EarthAngle Relationship anxiety
  • replies: 1

Not sure where to start, I’m usually the one giving advice and comfort. I am an empath, I feel incredibly deeply and usually know how to deal. Though I’ve been experiencing rather painful emotions brought on by my own emotional pain which is caused b... View more

Not sure where to start, I’m usually the one giving advice and comfort. I am an empath, I feel incredibly deeply and usually know how to deal. Though I’ve been experiencing rather painful emotions brought on by my own emotional pain which is caused by anxieties and insecurities. Not so much physical insecurities but more so deeper insecurities such as (not feeling worthy, not good enough, a thorn in my partners side) all that jazz. Let’s say some relationship anxiety. Though this has caused me to go into a downward spiral of unhappiness, and I am a very bubbly person. My significant other is most of the time in defence mode so every time I bring up my feelings or emotional needs he gets defensive and says I’m being insecure and needy. It’s causing a lot of heartache… a lot! I feel like it’s all my doing that he gets defensive, I’m no saint, I think sometimes I make it hard on him by sounding like a broken record. Anyway I needed to get this out and off of my chest.

JacintaMarie Hi
  • replies: 3

Hi I've recently had my period or curse as I call it.With work, as much as I try not too,I just seem to keep on saying wrong thing or doing wrong ady at work had allergy with the wipes though she's not been affected since we've had them, to cut a lon... View more

Hi I've recently had my period or curse as I call it.With work, as much as I try not too,I just seem to keep on saying wrong thing or doing wrong ady at work had allergy with the wipes though she's not been affected since we've had them, to cut a long story short she asked me to find some hyperallergenic ones, but not to buy them, I do wonder at the logic of asking me to find some but not to buy any, why ask to search or why didn't she just find it herself.Anyway, she has been stressed out, but need to be kind, but as my Mum says, she chose to do a Team Leader job & that job has stresses & problems, but you do get paid a decent amount to deal with the stresses & problems.Sometimes I think she's tired with working & needs to retire, not that I want her to go, it's just work seems to be too much for her & I'm making her grumpy by being me. I just at times, I just do the wrong thing, I can't always make her happy, sometimes I do, bur I just stuff up, She's 63. I need to be more kinder, as it is tiring for people in their 60s, but I'm wise enough not to tell her she needs to retire, she needs to realize this herself (I don't know how long it's going to take her to realize she's getting tired) but if I do. My horrible thought that I had today, was I just want her to retire! To be able to live her life & have life & not be stuck at work! But to all you oldies out there, please keep on working till your 100 if you want!!! As long as your happy, keep on working! Sorry if your offended, I just feel sorry for people who look and act like the work is too much.How can I be better or be better at communicating, I'm just s*** at it, I always say wrong thing. I get complimented but I don't beliec3 it as sooner or later I'm going to f*** up & get told off

pikachu22 Dealing with Anxiety
  • replies: 7

Hi everyone,I’ve been living with Anxiety for years now. I haven’t officially been diagnosed but I know that I have it. I’ve noticed now that I have experienced Anxiety at its worst three seperate times in my life. Once when I was still in highschool... View more

Hi everyone,I’ve been living with Anxiety for years now. I haven’t officially been diagnosed but I know that I have it. I’ve noticed now that I have experienced Anxiety at its worst three seperate times in my life. Once when I was still in highschool, again during my first relationship in 2020, and now, three years later. I know what works for me and how to overcome my anxiety, intrusive thoughts and stress, but what I am currently struggling with is struggling to understand that they are just thoughts and know that i will overcome it. There are multiple factors to my current feelings of anxiety. I have experienced burn out after completing two internships in rapid succession, one which was overseas, both in which were undertaken during my studies at university. I only had a week’s rest during this period of returning home to Australia, and starting University again for the new semester. I realised burnout was approaching, as I stopped feeling love and passion for my course, constantly doubted my abilities, and believed I wasn’t worth being in the course I am in today. This caused me to delay my course and take a 6 month break, but i still needed to finish off my first semester this year. During study this year, I started a new part time job which was 60 minutes away from my house. The only way for me to get to work was through public transportation, taking a bus and train. I worked four days a week 9-5, would have to wake up at 6am to arrive on time, and would return home at 6:30 pm. During this time, I also studied for two days a week, leaving my with only one day off a week. Doing this was extremely unsustainable to my mental health, and caused me to overload myself further i top of the burnout i had already developed. I was coping at first, but one day at work I had an anxious thought, and no matter what i did i couldn’t get it out of my head since I hadn’t experienced bad anxiety since 2020. Ever since then, i have been unable to get on top of my anxiety, and it has gotten to the point where I can’t even focus anymore. My head feels constantly clouded and it’s affecting me, and my relationships. I ended up resigning from the job, I haven’t drunk in three weeks and now I have started going back to the gym and exercising. I believe and know that i will get back on top of my anxiety again, but it’s so exhausting and stressful right now. i just want to think clearly again and get rid of my intrusive thoughts, but knowing that it will take a while to achieve this is making it harder for me too. If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know. I’m also sorry for rambling too. Thank you

purrfect Motivation and anxiety
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone,This is my first time posting in this forum. There’s a few things I’m struggling with at the moment but one that’s constant in my life is a problem with getting motivated and knowing what I want. I’ve tried so many things; creative and la... View more

Hi everyone,This is my first time posting in this forum. There’s a few things I’m struggling with at the moment but one that’s constant in my life is a problem with getting motivated and knowing what I want. I’ve tried so many things; creative and languages, etc but nothing has really stuck. Mainly because most things involve being around other people which I’m not comfortable with. I can go to parties with my partner and feel confident but when it comes to doing something like swimming or ceramics I really need to force myself every time. My Psychologist says that it takes time and practice but even after multiple times I still dread going. Does anyone feel like this and how do you deal with it?I now feel like I don’t want to do anything and if I can’t motivate or inspire myself to do anything how can I entice friends or my partner to do things together?

CHCH02 Cost of living and work anxiety
  • replies: 1

Recently at work I’ve had some anxiety around my hours, as it worries me that I won’t make ends meet each week. Recently ours hours dropped and my boss did communicate this to us and it always happens around the start of the financial year. They’ve r... View more

Recently at work I’ve had some anxiety around my hours, as it worries me that I won’t make ends meet each week. Recently ours hours dropped and my boss did communicate this to us and it always happens around the start of the financial year. They’ve recently picked up slightly but still not great and my boss hasn’t been doing our rosters because they’ve been away. So another person is and they are particularly bias so while one person who does the same job as me is getting 25-30 hours per week I’m getting 10-15 and then I have to wait to be called in. This just doesn’t feel fair to me because I’m given more tasks than they are or they leave the jobs for me to do when I come in. I’ve communicated some of this to my boss but wanted to avoid names so it didn’t come across as targeting and that I don’t trust her opinion. It just gave me so much anxiety about working with those people and that I had been doing something wrong when I hadn’t been, that I want to cry. I get called in and shifts extended but at the same time this makes me feel like I’m missing out on doing things in my life because I’m waiting for them to call because I need money. My parents are supportive in financially supporting me especially as a student but it’s hard, I don’t like asking them for money or help that way, they have their own financial issues. Especially since everything gone up and I’m not having consistent pay that I’m anxious I won’t be able to afford just the basic things. I’m not sure what’s to do next, my job and my relationship with my boss allows the flexibility I need for my studies so I don’t really want to look for a new job.