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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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ceoofoverthinking Anxiety about the future
  • replies: 6

Hi everyone, I'm 18 years old and recently moved unis after one semester. This was mainly because the course I was doing didn't have a good reputation / wasn't academically stimulating. I did really well in high school and the HSC so it always felt l... View more

Hi everyone, I'm 18 years old and recently moved unis after one semester. This was mainly because the course I was doing didn't have a good reputation / wasn't academically stimulating. I did really well in high school and the HSC so it always felt like I could be learning more. However, I had fantastic roommates at this uni - our dynamic was great. They became almost like a new family, so my move back home was an attempt to distance myself because I thought I was getting unhealthily attached after only six months of living there. I was also in my element socially as I'm a very extraverted, outgoing person who loves being around people, so living on campus was amazing for me as I was meeting new people every day. I never found a "group" in high school but at this uni, I made so many friends. Yet I always had this nagging feeling that it would all disappear eventually whereas a solid career would not. To cope with stress, I fell into some bad habits like drinking and going out really late, which I blamed on the uni and not my own actions. Now that I'm attending a different uni and living at home, none of those issues have disappeared. There were so many times at the old uni where I'd wake up feeling worthless. I craved being busy as well as completing a more challenging course. Now I'm doing all that - working four jobs, taking extra subjects outside of uni and only just managing the workload of my new course. But the anxiety has only gotten worse. For a few days in a row last week, I couldn't stop crying whenever I experienced a minor inconvenience or when coming home late after a class on the train. I'm exhausted most nights when I get home due to long days and a long commute. And I've started regretting my decision to move. I always feel like I'm thinking only about the future or what I can do now that will ensure my happiness. Not only is that exhausting, but it's also preventing me from focusing on the present. How hard is it to just think through things rationally and not catastrophize? How hard is it to just enjoy moments rather than thinking about how they are passing you by? Surely there is some kind of technique I can learn to teach myself to really, truly live in the present? For anyone who may have been through a similar situation, I would appreciate any advice or strategies on how to deal with this! Thank you! xx

bc48 Intrusive thoughts
  • replies: 1

Hi everyone! I am fairly new to the Beyond Blue forums. Recently, like in the last few weeks I have been experiencing intrusive and harmful thoughts, which often centre on me losing control and harming someone, losing my loved ones because of a car c... View more

Hi everyone! I am fairly new to the Beyond Blue forums. Recently, like in the last few weeks I have been experiencing intrusive and harmful thoughts, which often centre on me losing control and harming someone, losing my loved ones because of a car crash etc, or believing in superstitions. These intrusive thoughts have become so obsessive that they've caused me a lot of anxiety and created fears that I would physically commit these actions. I have practiced meditations and exercises which have calmed me down for a short period before these thoughts appear back again. Anyone advice would definitely help!

Wtgb2022 Overthinking and want to stop
  • replies: 1

How do I stop? I started a new job and I thought the overthinking will stop but I feel like it’s only going to get worse. I think it is expected of me to work overtime which I am ok in doing but I also catch public transport so don’t want to miss my ... View more

How do I stop? I started a new job and I thought the overthinking will stop but I feel like it’s only going to get worse. I think it is expected of me to work overtime which I am ok in doing but I also catch public transport so don’t want to miss my train. I am overthinking thinking they hate me already. I don’t know how to stop and this is a constant issue I have is I overthink for nothing how do I get better? Then when I overthink I cry and that’s not who I am or want to be.

JohnA Insomnia
  • replies: 8

I've been working on my insomnia for years. I've tried many things: cutting caffeine, meditation, prescription drugs, etc. The process of repeated trial and error has been arduous and I've often felt hopeless. It is ultimately worth it because I am g... View more

I've been working on my insomnia for years. I've tried many things: cutting caffeine, meditation, prescription drugs, etc. The process of repeated trial and error has been arduous and I've often felt hopeless. It is ultimately worth it because I am gradually getting closer to sleeping normally. What have your experiences been like? I'd really love to know.

P458999 Trying to decide what's best
  • replies: 7

In a few weeks, I will join the growing ranks of those who have to live in their car, and I am struggling to decide what is the best thing I can do for my canine companion, who I adopted five years ago.Before that he had been in the same family but w... View more

In a few weeks, I will join the growing ranks of those who have to live in their car, and I am struggling to decide what is the best thing I can do for my canine companion, who I adopted five years ago.Before that he had been in the same family but with various members for several years, but he’s been with me the longest time. He has become my best mate and the only reason I have kept going this long. Like me, he is an old fella and according to his breed, likely has another 12 – 18 months left in him.In my head, I am planning a last road trip, pick a direction and see what happens and where I end up. I did something similar about 15 years ago in the same car, driving around Australia for 6 months. It’s a make or break trip and I would love to have my mate along with me, but I also recognise that aside from the condition of my car, a number of medical conditions I have, are likely to make long-term survival on the road difficult.My worry is that if something where to happen to me out in the middle of nowhere, what would become of him. Equally, if I give him up, what will the time he has left going to be like. Will someone care for him as I have. Will he be happy with yet another change as he comes to the end of his time. Having been with me 24/7 since before COVID, the thought that he might end up sat alone in a yard all day or experiencing other major changes to the life he’s become used to, horrifies me.At my age, I care little about what happens to me, nor does it upset me to the same degree as it does when I consider or discuss his future. He is like a child to me and I want to do what’s best for him.So which is the lesser of two evils, take my mate with me, which may result in a premature end for him, or give him up to go live with someone who won’t care or cater to his needs as I have done?

melmon75 Stomach issues
  • replies: 1

Hi I’m a just writing this to share my current experiences I’m having with stomach issues and wondering if anyone has gone through a similar experience and can offer any advice, I’ve been having a bloated and gassy stomach for the last couple of mont... View more

Hi I’m a just writing this to share my current experiences I’m having with stomach issues and wondering if anyone has gone through a similar experience and can offer any advice, I’ve been having a bloated and gassy stomach for the last couple of months and was on tablets and stuff for it but didn’t seem to help so I went to see my GP and they did some self tests and didn’t seem to be any major issues and they prescribed a slightly stronger stomach acid reduction tablet which after a few weeks had only slightly eased the issue so I decided to try a natural gut relief which I’ve only been on now for a few days but has seemed to have reduce my bloated stomach a lot so I’m thinking of continuing that for a few weeks but I asked my GP since I have cut out drinking energy drinks, soft drinks and fatty processed snacks etc which I have done now for nearly 10 weeks and I’ve lost weight but now they’ve sent me for blood tests and a stool test to make sure there’s no concerning issues in my stomach so now I’m very anxious about what maybe going on as I already suffer with mild anxiety and stress over any health problems going on with my body so this now has me very concerned but hoping is nothing and just a precaution. Anyone that’s has a similar story I would love to hear from you and talk more about how you got through it or how you are dealing with it if it is still going on. Thank you

Si1enzio Anxiety/PTSD
  • replies: 4

Hello, my recent epidsode has caused my anxiety over sleeping. Bit more detail of the epidsode, i woke up from sleeping choking & I believe I may have sleep anea. I am booked for a sleep study for sleep apnea early November however i believe it has c... View more

Hello, my recent epidsode has caused my anxiety over sleeping. Bit more detail of the epidsode, i woke up from sleeping choking & I believe I may have sleep anea. I am booked for a sleep study for sleep apnea early November however i believe it has caused an issue which is anxiety. For the past 2-3 weeks I am struggling to get a good night sleep & have only a few hours sleep. My mind is restless & cant control my thoughts as I am trying to sleep. As soon as I lay down my mind races a million miles & cant settle down. I am currently seeing a psycologist however my next session is in 2 weeks & my GP does not recommend me taking sleeping pills due to my sleep apnea. I am so fed up & so helpless & not sure what else I can do. If you have any advice i would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Roogirl14 I have myasthenia Gravid
  • replies: 4

I have been diagnosed with this disease. It's causing me anxiety and I am getting into trouble at work because I get anxious and get into arguments with my co workers. I have to attend a meeting with management tomorrow and I am very anxious about lo... View more

I have been diagnosed with this disease. It's causing me anxiety and I am getting into trouble at work because I get anxious and get into arguments with my co workers. I have to attend a meeting with management tomorrow and I am very anxious about losing my job. I don't mean to do these things.Any help would great please.Thankyou Gerri

Apricit123 Anxiety and tablets
  • replies: 7

Does anyone get a fear when they need to take their medication I hate it

Does anyone get a fear when they need to take their medication I hate it

Doglover66 Health Anxiety Ruining My Life
  • replies: 18

Hi All I have suffered from the dreaded Health Anxiety since I was a young child. I have had so many diseases; mostly terminal...that haven't actually eventuated to anything. However; I have really suffered in the last two years. It all began after l... View more

Hi All I have suffered from the dreaded Health Anxiety since I was a young child. I have had so many diseases; mostly terminal...that haven't actually eventuated to anything. However; I have really suffered in the last two years. It all began after losing my job due to severe shoulder injury. In that time I have had tongue cancer, throat cancer, pancreatic cancer, liver cancer, bowel cancer, ovarian cancer........had numerous tests etc all ruled out any pathology. I do realise that major stress in my life brings this on. Five weeks ago I began a new job. It was full on; 9 hour days of skype training....within two days I had severe thoracic and chest pain and decided I had lung or pancreatic cancer. I spent three weeks doing this job with the constant fear gnawing away at me and making the symptoms so much worse. I had a thoracic spine and chest xray two weeks ago which ruled out cancer of lung but did show a herniated disc...which is now being managed by physio etc. Deep down I still think there is something more sinister going on...and of course that makes the pain worse. I thought that was bad enough. But then I heard about Van Halen dying from throat cancer and almost immediately my throat began to hurt. I absolutely loved him....I was so gutted to hear of his death. This throat business started four days ago. I took a torch and had a look and almost fainted when I saw one tonsil is huge and red and the other side has a yellow spot and looks so weird. I am now convinced I have tonsil cancer. It hurts constantly; my ear hurts...I am so terrified and so convinced it is cancer. I know....I went through all of this a year ago. My horrible mind is now saying "cancer can sneak upon one; regardless of clear mri 13 months ago"....I am now back on that rollercoaster from hell...of googling and rechecking and rewriting my will....I seriously cannot live like this. I hide it from my beloved teenage son as much as I can. My fear is all about him; not me. I cannot leave him until he is at least 18! I cry all the time; I have panic attacks; I google stuff and almost faint...I cannot sleep or eat. I KNOW what I am doing is totally nuts. I have been doing this shite since forever...I feel a prisoner of my own mind. I have seen so many professionals and had so many medications thrown at me. Nothing works. I am truly at my wits end. I have made an appointment to see my gp tomorrow and am terrified. thanks