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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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PM81WA ADHD and exercise
  • replies: 2

I have recently been diagnosed with ADHD at 41 and am 2 months into a 14 month waitlist to see a psychiatrist to be medicated. I have recently joined a gym and PT to try and combat my gradual weight gain and hopefully help reduce and balance ADHD sym... View more

I have recently been diagnosed with ADHD at 41 and am 2 months into a 14 month waitlist to see a psychiatrist to be medicated. I have recently joined a gym and PT to try and combat my gradual weight gain and hopefully help reduce and balance ADHD symptoms with exercise induced dopamine. However, today I had a huge meltdown over being frustrated about not enjoying it and had to leave the gym early because I just felt like shit. It was a borderline panic attack. I dislike it so much, it is so boring and unstimulating but also anxiety inducing over not knowing what to do, and it feels like the PT doesn't get how bored and anxious I am. I also have a very unhealthy set of negative core beliefs that I am combatting constantly regarding my body image and worthiness and loveability that the gym seems to trigger. Anyone else out there with ADHD find they don't get any dopamine or endorphins from exercise, or is my brain just broken and this is yet another thing I just have to put up with?

Jess456 Health Anxiety
  • replies: 4

Hi this is my first post on here. Over the last few months, health anxiety has completely taken over my life. It started with a fear of MS due to slight numbness and tingling in my face and left foot. I spiralled out of control, googled my symptoms c... View more

Hi this is my first post on here. Over the last few months, health anxiety has completely taken over my life. It started with a fear of MS due to slight numbness and tingling in my face and left foot. I spiralled out of control, googled my symptoms constantly to the point where I convinced myself I definitely had MS and was mourning the life I had before. This went on for a few weeks and I could barely eat or sleep, my mind was completely consumed with this fear.I saw a doctor twice and a neurologist, both said they are almost certain I don’t have MS, and my symptoms can all be explained by anxiety. They said I could get an MRI to put my mind at ease, however I couldn’t afford it. This did bring some relief but I was still concerned. fast forward to now, I have had weird symptoms that seem to change every day… one day I have a few muscle twitches, the next I have globus (lump in the throat), and today my right hand seems to have developed a tremor when I drink from a glass/bottle. These symptoms have all made me spiral into thinking I have MND. It’s all that I can think about and I can’t focus on my studies. I’m thinking of going back to the neurologist, however it is expensive and I don’t want to let my health anxiety take all of my money. When googling, this tremor is almost always a sign of a neurological condition (although my grandad does have a benign essential tremor which can be passed down). I seem to fear any progressive and chronic condition and I’m not sure how to stop. I can’t carry on living such a miserable life but I don’t know how to stop feeling like this. I’m aware anxiety is probably the culprit for many of my symptoms… but I’m really struggling to find a logical explanation for the tremor that has started today. if anyone has any advice I’d really appreciate it.

Molly_M Self-sabotaging my own dream
  • replies: 1

I should be really excited at the moment.In February this year, I left my job (14 years in that job, 35 uninterrupted years in the workforce) to follow my dream. I've always wanted to be a full-time writer. I have a number of novels I've been trying ... View more

I should be really excited at the moment.In February this year, I left my job (14 years in that job, 35 uninterrupted years in the workforce) to follow my dream. I've always wanted to be a full-time writer. I have a number of novels I've been trying to write for the last 20 years but it's always been 'when I have time'. So I saved up enough money to live on for two years and decided to make the time. I'm not expecting immediate results, I know I still need to put in the hard work and might not get anywhere.My brain is sabotaging my dream. It's three months from the day I left work and I've now put myself on a path to running my own copywriting business. That wasn't in my plans. I've signed up for a small business course that starts in a couple of weeks and goes for 12 months (through Centrelink). I feel like I'm on autopilot and when I stop and think about it, I can hear this little voice in my head screaming "This is not why we left work!". I don't know if it's fear of failure, or if my brain is so hard-wired to have a 9-5 to go to that I can't function without a job of some kind, or that I need to see money coming in to feel secure. All ego aside, I know if I go ahead with this business it will be successful (I have a marketing background), but it will consume all my time, I'll end up resenting it, and I'll be no closer to writing full-time than I was when employed.Why am I letting my head lead me in a direction I know won't be fulfilling?

HarryL Can anyone relate to this?
  • replies: 1

So, i've been having to deal with what seems to be some sort of anxiety disorder (not officially diagnosed). My experience is that a feeling of dread looms over me throughout the day, with it passing and coming back depending on various unpredictable... View more

So, i've been having to deal with what seems to be some sort of anxiety disorder (not officially diagnosed). My experience is that a feeling of dread looms over me throughout the day, with it passing and coming back depending on various unpredictable reasons. I have had this feeling pretty much every other day for a few weeks now. I know what may have started it as I had a really physically draining panic attack which necessitated an ambulance; I thought I had heart problems but turns out i'm fine, just a little unfit. Going back to my experience, i'm not sure what initiates the anxious and dreadful feelings each day. It seems random. But, as soon I have feeling a symptom, whether it be slight nausea or heart palpitations, I am reminded of that feeling and it returns inevitably and without end in sight. More over, I am not unfamiliar with the feeling of dread, having had a few bad trips with the ole mary jane some years ago, which i'm sure started this whole mental health decline. So in the end, i'm posting this to see if anyone can resonate with what I'm experiencing and to maybe bring consolation to those who can resonate.

Guest_349 I don't know what to do
  • replies: 5

Lately at school I've just been getting bad results and I've just been plunging into a spiral. I don't want to tell anyone because I'm afraid they'll judge but know I feel like I'm not smart enough. I know it seems like a little thing but it eats at ... View more

Lately at school I've just been getting bad results and I've just been plunging into a spiral. I don't want to tell anyone because I'm afraid they'll judge but know I feel like I'm not smart enough. I know it seems like a little thing but it eats at me everyday because everyone else around me is smarter.

canidothis Old job and mental health
  • replies: 1

I quit my job 3 weeks ago due to severe mental health problems. after seeing my psychologist yesterday, I got up the nerve to go back there and ask for my personal belongings. the worker I spoke to was so rude to me and immediately rang the the 2IC. ... View more

I quit my job 3 weeks ago due to severe mental health problems. after seeing my psychologist yesterday, I got up the nerve to go back there and ask for my personal belongings. the worker I spoke to was so rude to me and immediately rang the the 2IC. She was instructed not to give them to me. I spotted my cart that I had paid for, so I cleaned it out and took it. (The whole time I was doing this the worker was in the back ground telling me I couldn’t touch it)I left there shaking and in tears. I’ve been feeling physically ill ever since. the whole experience has set back my mental health progress. I have lodged an official complaint against the 2IC, but now I’m wishing I hadn’t… have I just made things worse for myself?

Coco18-8 Is this bad?
  • replies: 1

I am an eighteen year old and the last time I remember hanging out with a friend was nearly two months ago. We went clubbing with her friends and to be honest I really didn’t enjoy clubbing. You see I work 6 days a week ( i have two jobs) plus I play... View more

I am an eighteen year old and the last time I remember hanging out with a friend was nearly two months ago. We went clubbing with her friends and to be honest I really didn’t enjoy clubbing. You see I work 6 days a week ( i have two jobs) plus I play a sport. So I do leave the house and interact with people and of course have work friends. But every time a friend asks to hangout I never want to and if I feel obligated to go i have terrible anxiety about it. Is it bad that every time a friend asks me to hangout I automatically don’t want to. To be fair majority of the times it usually in a group of people I don’t know and it’s something to do with drinking or clubbing . Two things I don’t mind but I would rather have a one on one dinner with them rather then doing the other stuff because I would rather not have a panic attack. But does that make it bad that every time I get invited to a event like this I say no automatically and get hit with a wave of anxiety when this is what everyone my age does?

Romy Anxiety and obsessive thoughts
  • replies: 1

Hi all, I’ve had GAD since I was in high school (I am now nearly 25 years old). I have taken an antidepressant since I was about 17 which has helped me immensely. Occasionally I have had to go up and down on the dose but for the most part my anxiety ... View more

Hi all, I’ve had GAD since I was in high school (I am now nearly 25 years old). I have taken an antidepressant since I was about 17 which has helped me immensely. Occasionally I have had to go up and down on the dose but for the most part my anxiety has been very well controlled until this year where it has flared up big time. I found myself with lots of change coming up this year, I am building my very first home which is expected to be finished by the end of the year, I had also signed up to do chemotherapy training (I am a RN) at work and I am a bridesmaid for my best friends wedding at the end of the year. One day I suddenly became extremely overwhelmed with all this change coming up and started to think I wouldn’t be able to handle it as I’ve had a few little anxiety flare ups this year already (which I have gotten through). 5 days ago I increased my dose of antidepressant with my GP, the highest dose I’ve ever been on. I also have a set plan with my psychologist and am trying CBT. For some reason I have put this idea in my head that the reason for my anxiety is because I hate my job. When my anxiety is bad I find work really hard, because let’s face it, most things are hard when you have anxiety. I definitely don’t hate my job, I love the people I work with and they’re all extremely supportive. The ward I work on can be really busy and heavy at times but I’ve worked here for 4 years now and haven’t felt anxiety like this since my very first year as a nurse. My anxiety keeps telling me that I hate my job and my anxiety will never get better because I am miserable at work. I don’t know what to believe, we all know how convincing anxiety can be. Do you think I really don’t like my work? 4 months ago I was so content with my life and I was doing the exact same things. I think I’m just overwhelmed with these life changes coming up and it has spiralled out of control, and anxiety keeps telling me that my job is the problem when it’s not. I hope it’s just taking time for my body to adjust to my increased meds as it is only day 5.

James d anxiety symptoms
  • replies: 2

I have lower back pain that is radiating to my left groin area I’m male it’s just like a dull ache but very constant I’ve recently moved house and have been very stressed/anxious I have suffered with anxiety for many years just wanted to know if anyo... View more

I have lower back pain that is radiating to my left groin area I’m male it’s just like a dull ache but very constant I’ve recently moved house and have been very stressed/anxious I have suffered with anxiety for many years just wanted to know if anyone else has had a similar experience seeing chiropractor but not getting any better

GreenEgg Struggling to eat
  • replies: 4

Hello I’ve been really struggling lately, feeling very anxious. Part of that is that I find it hard to eat - I just don’t have an appetite and I can go days without eating anything substantial. I had some Easter eggs today that were on my counter sti... View more

Hello I’ve been really struggling lately, feeling very anxious. Part of that is that I find it hard to eat - I just don’t have an appetite and I can go days without eating anything substantial. I had some Easter eggs today that were on my counter still, and forced down a spinach roll yesterday. Mostly I just don’t feel hungry. When I do feel hungry it also seems like effort.How does everyone else deal with this? I think maybe if I ordered some stuff online and just had it sitting around. But I just can’t think of what, nothing seems appealing.G