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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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CSmith Mixed anxiety-depression - let's talk about it.
  • replies: 5

I have had troubles with anxiety for as long as I can remember, but it wasn't until I was diagnosed with mixed anxiety-depression (this year), that I actually realised that how I have been living is very energy-consuming and no healthy. There are tim... View more

I have had troubles with anxiety for as long as I can remember, but it wasn't until I was diagnosed with mixed anxiety-depression (this year), that I actually realised that how I have been living is very energy-consuming and no healthy. There are times when I feel absolutely fine and can talk to anyone without felling self-conscious or worthless, but there are other times when the anxiety is so bad that I just repeat negative and hurtful thoughts about myself in my mind, like my own mantra. I go to university and find it quite difficult to walk into a room that has more than a few people in it. If I am late to class, I usually don't go. But the main thing that gets me is that when I look around and see people being so carefree and completely comfortable in their own skin, it makes me hate myself more and I often get very emotional about this. I feel like I put more pressure on myself to be better than I can, because it shouldn't actually be this hard. What I really want is to be able to enjoy my life and not feel so trapped within my own body. I am trying to meditate when I can, but so far I don't think that much of a change has occurred. I am also talking to a counsellor regularly, and this has helped me work through some of my issues. Are there any other ideas for dealing with anxiety and/or depression (besides medication) that anyone thinks are beneficial?

Jenni Post Traumatic Stress Disorder - seeking help
  • replies: 5

Hi, I'm hoping someone can recommend a very good psychiatrist who specialises in PTSD in Melbourne. My partner has been diagnosed with PTSD (from childhood abuse) and severe clinical depression and none of his psychs so far seem to be able to get the... View more

Hi, I'm hoping someone can recommend a very good psychiatrist who specialises in PTSD in Melbourne. My partner has been diagnosed with PTSD (from childhood abuse) and severe clinical depression and none of his psychs so far seem to be able to get their head around it. The psychiatrist will need to be able to handle an incredibly intelligent, analytical and "needs to be in control" individual, also preferably someone who is strong on therapy rather than medication. Any suggestions would be really appreciated as he is in such a terrible space at the moment and only heading downwards. Thank you

vip Chewing gum and anxiety
  • replies: 11

Hi everyone people constantly ask me why do you chew gum all the time. Well when I did my therapy groups we were all told one side effect of this antidepressant medication is that it can ruin your teeth. Good dental care is essential as I go to my de... View more

Hi everyone people constantly ask me why do you chew gum all the time. Well when I did my therapy groups we were all told one side effect of this antidepressant medication is that it can ruin your teeth. Good dental care is essential as I go to my dentist every 6 months and chewing gum keeps your mouth fresh and I find in the mornings especially I feel anxious so by chewing a little it helps calm me down . Can anyone else relate to this ????? And I also have funny traits with my anxiety it makes me cough for no reason , move around a lot talk really fast give limited eye contact breathe fast when I speak I can have a nervous feel in my words does anyone experience this feeling with anxiety???? would love some feedback please

Corey_G Eating Disorders and Body Dysmorphic Disorders among men
  • replies: 2

An increasing number of studies into the matter of eating disorders and body dysmorphic disorders among men, have shown a stead increase in the number of reported cases within Australia. The increase in reported cases is likely to be a consequence of... View more

An increasing number of studies into the matter of eating disorders and body dysmorphic disorders among men, have shown a stead increase in the number of reported cases within Australia. The increase in reported cases is likely to be a consequence of a number of factors including society's ideal version of a 'man' and/ or increased awareness of the issue, thereby assisting doctors in diagnosing and treating these disorders much more effectively than it had been previously. Recently, the toy manufacturer, Hasbro, was criticised for its design of a 'Winx Club' doll, which featured 'stick-thin legs'. It was argued that such representation through the use of toys, which are marketed to children, creates an unrealistic idea of beauty, thereby contributing to the prevalence of such disorders. After hearing this story, it got me think about male action figures and how, if at all, could they be contributing to the increased prevalence of these body image disorders? For example, take the Hulk, whose aesthetic is excessively muscular and tough in character. Arguably, applying the same principle that was argued the 'Winx Club' dolls, could these action heroes, which children being young often idolise, be contributing to societies skewed perception of what a 'man' should look like. More specifically on the issue of muscularity, the concept of 'Muscular Dysmorphia' establishes the basis of a disorder in which a person becomes obsessed with the idea that they are not muscular enough. In this disorder a person is preoccupied with thoughts conceding appearance, especially musculature. A few risk factors may contribute to this disorder: family disharmony, perfectionism, severe stress, aesthetics focus and negative influence of mass culture that promotes an idealised body. Do you believe that disorders regarding body image among men, could reasonably be attributed, in part, to children's action figures like the Hulk, particularly with respect to the physical aesthetics of such action figures . Also, if anyone has experienced pressure to change or modify certain features of themselves as a result of society's perception of what is 'normal' or 'acceptable' with respect to eating disorders and body dysmorphic disorders and what you believe contributed to your experience with the disorder?

Banefish Too many feelings, too many thoughts
  • replies: 1

Hello, I've recently moved away from my parents home for the first time and am now living with a friend in Victoria. This move is complicated because I got into a little bit of a ''online relationship'' with my friends ex when I was planning the move... View more

Hello, I've recently moved away from my parents home for the first time and am now living with a friend in Victoria. This move is complicated because I got into a little bit of a ''online relationship'' with my friends ex when I was planning the move and we now all live together.

Mares73 Geoff-anxiety issues
  • replies: 1

Dear Geoff as one who has their illness managed & given my huge respect for you-would you mind reading my latest post and see if you have any suggestions re coping with disabling anxiety? It's still under my "Royal Commission" thread. Love Mary (Mare... View more

Dear Geoff as one who has their illness managed & given my huge respect for you-would you mind reading my latest post and see if you have any suggestions re coping with disabling anxiety? It's still under my "Royal Commission" thread. Love Mary (Mares) x

bug30 Too much on my mind
  • replies: 4

Recently ive been having trouble sleeping. Its likea everything going on in my life plays on my mind when im trying to sleep. Most nights I wake uo aboit 3 or 4 times. I feel like im not getting anywhere in life. Most of my friends are married and st... View more

Recently ive been having trouble sleeping. Its likea everything going on in my life plays on my mind when im trying to sleep. Most nights I wake uo aboit 3 or 4 times. I feel like im not getting anywhere in life. Most of my friends are married and starting families and are constantly asking when me and my bf will be doing the same. We have discussed it but arent ready, we want to live our lives. But I feel as though im drifting fartjer and farther away from friends ive had for years because I wont conform and have a baby and because my boyfriend hasnt asked me to marry him. Im also having trouble at Work, I dont enjoy my job anymore and want to study but cant give up my job because we will be broke and wont be able to afford anything with only one income so I feel as thought im trapped in this job until I can find something else. I have a boss who wont give me the time of day because she tries to tell me how to live my life and I wont listen. She likes the girls who are married and atarting families. She couldn't care less about what I do, which makes work unpleasant. Who wants to work in a place where you feel so unwelcome It just feels like no matter what I do, I cant make new friends. We have lived in this new town for nearly 2 years and I do not have one person who I can contact to hang out with, I spend my days off at home alone cooking and cleaning. My closest friend is 4 hours away. This puts alot of strain on my relationship as my boyfriend seems to have no trouble making friends which makes me evwn more anxious. What is wrong with me? Why dont people like me? Why do people keep telling me how to live my life? Why do I feel like im failing and everything I put my mind too?

Gm Intrusive thoughts overpowering daily life
  • replies: 4

Hi. Not sure how to do this. I have an issue with intrusive thoughts. Really awful things that I can't control or let go of. I try to find distractions to occupy my mind and keep them at bay, and sometimes it works really well. However, more often th... View more

Hi. Not sure how to do this. I have an issue with intrusive thoughts. Really awful things that I can't control or let go of. I try to find distractions to occupy my mind and keep them at bay, and sometimes it works really well. However, more often than not something will happen to trigger an intrusive thought(s) process while I'm doing whatever it is I am doing to distract myself. I feel a heavy weight in my chest, and from then on I feel like I can't do what I enjoy anymore because it now has that negative connotation with it. It feels like my mind is trying to seek out whatever I love doing and making it into something ugly; a new trigger. The last time it happened was today, which prompted me to post this. Has anyone else experienced this? How did you deal with it? I feel lost. Hope this made sense. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

guest59 New to the page… frustrated
  • replies: 3

Hi guys,My name is Ben.Ive been living with (believe i have been) depression and social anxiety since my late teens.I have noticed over the last 8-10 months that these feelings have become much stronger, i feel as though I go through low points much ... View more

Hi guys,My name is Ben.Ive been living with (believe i have been) depression and social anxiety since my late teens.I have noticed over the last 8-10 months that these feelings have become much stronger, i feel as though I go through low points much more than i ever have before, and being in social situations is nearing on unbearable for me.Tonight I finally made the move to visit a GP in the hope to speak to someone…I became extremely frustrated that this GP simply palmed me off a months worth of tablets with a "you'll be right" attitude and to visit them in 2 weeks to see how i was feeling. I asked multiple times if I could possibly book to see some form of specialist for a chat instead, to which i received the same answer over and over. Take the tablets and ill see you in 2 weeks…Have I gone into this with too high of an expectation, or is this standard procedure for an initial visit?If it isn't standard procedure then does anyone have a good GP that can actually point me in the right direction?

Jemz14 Any online support groups or chat sites for Australian's??
  • replies: 1

Hi, This is my first post I have just joined - I am suffering very bad anxiety and panic attacks, I have a panic attack everyday usually more then once. I am terrified of dying. I hate eating in case I get food poisoning or have a serious life threat... View more

Hi, This is my first post I have just joined - I am suffering very bad anxiety and panic attacks, I have a panic attack everyday usually more then once. I am terrified of dying. I hate eating in case I get food poisoning or have a serious life threatening allergy, ( i did suffer my first allergic reaction a few months ago and have a appointment with a specialist in a few months). Since then my panic attacks and anxiety is off the charts and night time is the worst!!! I am scared i will die in my sleep. I am seeing a psychiatrist now and he has increased my meds i am just wondering is there any chat sites or online groups for Australians with anxiety and other problems. Kind Regards Jemz