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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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Max15 Always looking forward
  • replies: 5

Not sure if I should be on this forum. I'm always looking forward and never satisfied with now. It has affected my previous marriage and is now affecting my new relationship. I have nothing to be sad about, I have a great relationship (as I did previ... View more

Not sure if I should be on this forum. I'm always looking forward and never satisfied with now. It has affected my previous marriage and is now affecting my new relationship. I have nothing to be sad about, I have a great relationship (as I did previously) I have a beautiful house, good job but can't get my head to be satisfied. I never feel good enough. Not sure what to do or if I really need to do anything except ignore.

EllyJoy work anxiety
  • replies: 2

I have always struggled with Anxiety and Jobs. I have been working since 2014. In that time I have moved workplaces 6 times. (2 hairdressing jobs and 4 childcare jobs) Currently I feel like I am carrying around a big rock in my chest, caused by my fe... View more

I have always struggled with Anxiety and Jobs. I have been working since 2014. In that time I have moved workplaces 6 times. (2 hairdressing jobs and 4 childcare jobs) Currently I feel like I am carrying around a big rock in my chest, caused by my feelings towards work. I also feel that I have experienced some workplace bullying recently. I have recently been so uncomfortable at work that I couldn't eat any meals until night-time, and even then not much. It's affected my sleep and my wellbeing.I have reduced my work hours. I work in Early Education and always put on my best front for the children, being kind, friendly and caring. But i feel so burnt out doing this work and being uncomfortable at work because of poor relationship with my boss is making me feel awful. I also feel guilty because I feel I shouldn't be working children if I feel this way.I volunteered 6 months of this year doing Administration with an aged care charity which was very refreshing. It was a calm and quiet environment, and much easier on my body. Every time it comes to making a real change, taking a new industry job or moving on I just get paralysed by fear of change. So I end up getting burnt out, taking a new childcare job, hoping for better. But it never works out. I'm also just afraid that the problem is me and that I'll never find a job where I am happy. I have lots of hobbies that I love, so my job doesn't need to be the end all and be all. What really want to do is just quit. I want to rest in bed for a week. Go back to volunteering, work causally and try out some different industries. If have read this, thank you. I feel so lost.

Jessksch I had an anxiety attack at work and now have a week off...feel guilty
  • replies: 45

So some personal things have happened through the years: both my parents passed away in 2014 and 2015, my brother sueing us for the inheritance...recently my partner tried a new job to an area with hopes we can buy a house there but the job didn't wo... View more

So some personal things have happened through the years: both my parents passed away in 2014 and 2015, my brother sueing us for the inheritance...recently my partner tried a new job to an area with hopes we can buy a house there but the job didn't work out and now we're lost not being able to afford a house. That all has passed and I work in a job I'm ok with, but difficult to balance full-time work and life. It has been a year and last week was stressful, people kept coming to me about mistakes I made every day, then one day my supervisor mentions a mistake AND that I am working too slow, I lost it. I ran to the bathroom trying to do breathing exercises, but the body wouldn't listen and tears started pushing through until I just let it out. I washed my eyes and continued work, but quiet and people knew something was wrong. At the end of the day I called in sick for the next day and saw a doctor who gave me a week off for stress leave, I have already been off a few times this year and seeing a doctor and a psychologist again today but the guilt of not being able to cope is overwhelming. I keep thinking of the future, where and how can we afford a home without renting? How am I able to function in the real world? What is the point of it all?... I was on medication and it has helped through the year, now taking another medication so I can sleep at night, but anxious dreams still come up though able to fall asleep in less than an hour at least. I'm trying so hard not to loose it, yes I should relax and it is a disease, but in real life nobody will give you a break and it makes you a loser for it. I have been thinking of just working as a cashier again part-time, but feel like a loser. Especially since I always wanted to sell my art but nobody buys it even with paid advertisement so now I don't know what to do in my life. I don't have anything to look forward to, nothing excites me anymore and my passion for life has run dry.

Liz-ard Scared of dying
  • replies: 4

Hi I have been having these panic attacks that are intense. My youngest daughter left last year to go live in Townsville and it broke my heart. I suffered for 8mths till my Dr decided I needed more help and was put into a private mental facility whic... View more

Hi I have been having these panic attacks that are intense. My youngest daughter left last year to go live in Townsville and it broke my heart. I suffered for 8mths till my Dr decided I needed more help and was put into a private mental facility which I stayed for 2 mths. Which did help, but I find it hard to follow what I was taught in there to do it at home. She also had been wanting to join the Army and this happened last week and I’m heart broken all over again. I don’t know if it’s the fear of something happening to her, but because of all of this I’ve had to see a Cardiac specialist as my heart rate is so irregular and I’m trying not to stress, but the fear is taking over my life. I have no family and I don’t have many friends so I’m all alone. Any advice??

Coconutpancake Anxiety over a blackout
  • replies: 9

So I have a fear that I have cheated on my partner every time I drink and don’t remember something. I am in no way a heavy drinker. Maybe a few beers once a month or more on a Friday due to being locked down. I drank the other night with my housemate... View more

So I have a fear that I have cheated on my partner every time I drink and don’t remember something. I am in no way a heavy drinker. Maybe a few beers once a month or more on a Friday due to being locked down. I drank the other night with my housemate while on a zoom video with some of our friends. We were having a great time and I remember majority of the night apart from the end. I woke up in the morning in bed with my partner in my underwear (I like to sleep freely). Automatically I panicked and though “shit, what if I kissed our housemate?”. So I got up, checked our ensuite to see where my clothes were and they were there, I must of had a shower before bed. Even while writing this I’m automatically thinking “I must have slept with him and he put my clothes in my ensuite to cover it up and put underwear on me. Aaah! Anyway I got up because I had to work from home and I was nervous to see him because I had convinced myself already that something happened. I don’t remember anything, don’t have any flash backs but I found myself looking in his room, sitting on the couch where we had the zoom and even kissing my hand to see if I remembered anything. I have been looking on the internet for the past two weeks trying to find answers there to put my mind at ease. I don’t think anything is weird between him and I, but it’s like I’m trying to find things out sneakily. For example he called me hun and I’m like why the heck did you call me that? I know this probably stems from one occasion years ago when I got drunk and according to other people I cheated on my boyfriend and kissed someone and then they said they were tricking me? Who does that? Or is this just anxiety? I’ve always been an over thinker and think about my past and cringe and wonder what I could have done different. Like the time I was 10 and over thought so much that I thought I was a lesbian because my brother told me I was. Or when I put my dog to bed in the laundry and remember the tap was leaking and it might flood the laundry and he would get hypothermia. I feel like I have something I’m hiding from my partner - why do I feel like this? Does it mean I did do something? Help!

Ariel-08 Empath
  • replies: 7

This week I’ve been feeling a bit consumed with life’s happenings and hard to stay focussed. I thought to myself that I care too much and am always there for others . I am tired of being there taking on others peoples issues. I some health struggles ... View more

This week I’ve been feeling a bit consumed with life’s happenings and hard to stay focussed. I thought to myself that I care too much and am always there for others . I am tired of being there taking on others peoples issues. I some health struggles but being a empath is a challenge . I know how much my energy can be zapped ! I am learning more about this . I am reliable and caring but I wanted to take a step back . I believe my care factor needs to be adjusted slightly so I am doing things for me . I realise I need to but in boundaries , see my councellor and lower my expectation of myself . Can anyone relate to this ? Let me know your ideas

Dani31 Shortness of breath😯
  • replies: 22

So it's been well over 8 weeks now of random numbness, pins and needles, heavy chest, short of breath(oxygen levels are fine) 24/7 which i went to ER for twice was perfectly fine, this has been the worst for me. I've been to so many doctor appointmen... View more

So it's been well over 8 weeks now of random numbness, pins and needles, heavy chest, short of breath(oxygen levels are fine) 24/7 which i went to ER for twice was perfectly fine, this has been the worst for me. I've been to so many doctor appointments, had full bloods, chest xray which was clear. I've litrally given up was perfectly fine till my daughter was 7 weeks old and had my first panic attack randomly. I'm convinced there is actually something physically wrong with me. How can anxiety stuff my breathing up? I never had breathing problems before. My doc has said you need to start antidepressant as I'm destroying my life and family's. He is refusing to do anymore testing as he believes it's all anxiety. He said 100% the antidepressants will take my symptoms away. I have been to a phychologist a month ago but my next appointment isn't till next week feeling so defeated why is this happening to me i actually don't even care if i die anymore. Has anyone else experienced this or am i just losing the plot

Manda_j New job anxiety
  • replies: 7

I hope someone can give me some advise, reassurance or understands what i am.going through....I've just left my job after 20years and have been lucky enough to start a new job....I have been in my new role for 1 mth (actually 3 weeks...I had my 2nd w... View more

I hope someone can give me some advise, reassurance or understands what i am.going through....I've just left my job after 20years and have been lucky enough to start a new job....I have been in my new role for 1 mth (actually 3 weeks...I had my 2nd week off sick!) In the last week I have started to have an overwhelming amount of anxiety...I feel.i'm not picking thing's up fast enough, I'm not good enough...I have been diagnosed with anxiety and depression (for years) so I am guessing that the anxiety is being heightened. I am also a perfectionist so I continually struggle thinking i should know how to use new systems etc as it is a big part of my role ..I also think that part of the anxiety I feel is that the HR Leader and HR co-ordinator are both so chaotic and all over the place with their instructions and requests I feel I'm absorbing all this chaos and manicures (they are both are aware they are like this they told me when I first started) I also feel like I'm asking too many questions but I need to as I have had relatively no one to one training (I would say 4 to 5 hrs stretched over the time i have been in the role). I know the longer I am in the role the more I will begin to feel comfortable and less anxious..its hard as I try and reflect when I first started in my previous role of the fear and anxiety i felt but I can't remember it.....please help!! Thank you

Mudpies A Proverbial Can of Worms
  • replies: 6

As much as a cliche as it is to say so, it's hard to know where to start. To help frame this I will start by mentioning I've got Asperger's Syndrome and never really wished it any other way. I like some (not all!) of the quirks this brings. Anyway. I... View more

As much as a cliche as it is to say so, it's hard to know where to start. To help frame this I will start by mentioning I've got Asperger's Syndrome and never really wished it any other way. I like some (not all!) of the quirks this brings. Anyway. I'm a serial procrastinator, perhaps because I hate confrontation and being direct with people. A simple friendly gesture to ask an acquaintance to coffee (get to know them) is an ordeal, I think it through, think some more, fear rejection or that they'll lash out. Even trying to remove myself from friendships that haven't worked out, I fear some sort of retribution. Organising those mundane things - car services, dealing with real estate agents, even managing mundane requests with the supervising staff at work; all of it can be quite stressful and I often find myself being pushed over. "Can I have Friday off?" "No we need you to work Friday, even though you're only a casual, it's easier if you just say yes, it saves me ... blah blah blah" "Alright then". I then spend days upset at myself for not standing my ground and tend to just withdraw out of shame. For a long time I've recognised this is a problem. I try to make out lists of what I should do, recount any particular triumphs in my journal, and write out things that frustrate me. It helps, but it isn't enough. It is dragging me down being such a worry-wart. I'm also afraid to get help for fear of medication - my job involves driving heavy vehicles and I'm worried about an accident if the medication isn't right from the get-go. Back to the autism for a moment. Recently got a new job (something of a dream role of mine), the indications so far is the workplace morale is great, far less toxicity than the last job and so on. The doctor who signed off my medical spent a lot of time chatting to me about my Asperger's, and suggested I reach out to my state's autism support organisation (I was relocating) to seek Executive Function Therapy. The examples used (time management, recognising emotions, communication etc) made me feel like the doctor read me like a book. I was really impressed and felt empowered to do something ... so I emailed one of those autism support organisations. Nothing. Back to square one. I'm new to this part of the world and don't even have a trusted GP I could see - not sure if a telephone consult with my old GP would be worthwhile? I also thought of contacting my employer's EAP provider for some guidance. Not sure what the next step is...

Beaser Im feeling overwhelmed.Loneliness and guilt.Dont want to lose friends.
  • replies: 76

Hi and best wishes. I am starting to feel myself slide again . I have long been involved in my local football club and having been single for so long so it has been like my family and my support network. I have a partner now and she isnt that interes... View more

Hi and best wishes. I am starting to feel myself slide again . I have long been involved in my local football club and having been single for so long so it has been like my family and my support network. I have a partner now and she isnt that interested i dont know how to go about things as far as continuing my involvement. I dont want to lose her over it but i need my friends and my social network. I have had a huge battle with depression and anxiety for my most of my life. I have leant on people for support too much at times and im scared that i may not have that support anymore because they may be tired of it. I have sruggled with work for so long as a result. I just want to be happy again .I feel like im on this horrible treadmill and never get anywhere. I would appreciate any feedback and thoughts from anyone i hope i have described my situation ok as it is hard to do . Thanks for reading and best wishes . Brett.