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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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Kylie87 Health anxiety
  • replies: 3

Hi, this is my first post, I’m sure I am suffering from health anxiety and it’s crippling! it all started about 8 years ago when I had a health scare and I have never gotten over it. I’m at the point now where I’ll do anything to avoid the doctors I’... View more

Hi, this is my first post, I’m sure I am suffering from health anxiety and it’s crippling! it all started about 8 years ago when I had a health scare and I have never gotten over it. I’m at the point now where I’ll do anything to avoid the doctors I’m absolutely terrified that they will find something wrong with me…any kind of tests also triggers anxiety and it’s all I can think about. If I build up enough courage to book a doctors appointment 9 time out of 10 I will cancel it…it’s awful I really don’t know how to get past it

confirmed08 feeling stressed and frustrated due to built up emotion
  • replies: 4

Hi everyone, it's been a while since I've posted on here but I'm unfortunately back. I've always had issues expressing my emotions to others to try and get support, I hate burdening family and friends, even those I'm incredibly close to, as they have... View more

Hi everyone, it's been a while since I've posted on here but I'm unfortunately back. I've always had issues expressing my emotions to others to try and get support, I hate burdening family and friends, even those I'm incredibly close to, as they have other stresses and worries in their lives, let alone taking in mine. Since the mutual decision to stop seeing my therapist, I've not expressed any of my stresses and anxiety with anyone, and am making sure I do not cry to show too many negative emotions both around people and even alone so to 'train' myself I suppose to not express these. But this is causing my temper to be incredibly shortened and the smallest things are becoming incredibly frustrating. I know bottling these emotions up is incredibly detrimental, and I'm also encouraging friends not to, but I just can't bare sadden my family and after a bad experience with my ex partner betraying my trust, I don't want to reveal these things to my friends.I don't want to burden them and I don't want to show weakness, but it's really hurting me.

Dazza73 Post relationship blues
  • replies: 8

Hi. I’m 49 and I met a woman online who was the same age.She friended me on Facebook and we started talking every day. She lives a 2 hour drive from me. 5 weeks later, we met in person and we hit it off. We even slept together that weekend. We contin... View more

Hi. I’m 49 and I met a woman online who was the same age.She friended me on Facebook and we started talking every day. She lives a 2 hour drive from me. 5 weeks later, we met in person and we hit it off. We even slept together that weekend. We continued talking (mostly online) and we met every weekend for 4 weeks. I had a planned trip interstate, so went on that. Upon my return, she either pulled away or was referring to herself as her girlfriend. She kept referring to herself as my girlfriend. However when I asked her, she immediately says things are not working between us. I feel like I’ve been led on a bit. She ended the relationship and now I’m finding it difficult not talking to her. 4 weeks after we broke up, I’m starting to get angry as all I think about is being led on. I’m constantly thinking of her. I’m struggling to let her go. When I see a picture of her on various social media, my heart beats faster and I feel anxious and sad. I do have thoughts of ending myself, but I know this is counterproductive. As of yesterday, I have unfollowed her on all social media formats. So I won’t see any photos online. I’m getting sick and tired of her consuming my thoughts. This is driving me insane. Trouble is, I live in a rural town and I have no one to turn to for a chat or support. Why does she consume my every day thoughts?I’ve joined 3 different dating sites and have sent 30 different women a message. Only 1 has briefly chatted. The rest do not want to talk to me. Right now, I’m sad, lonely, rejected while missing a certain woman. Can anyone help me or give me some direction? thanks…

loopsy generalised anxiety disorder in 10 year old
  • replies: 4

hi, I'm looking for any advice for GAD in children. My son was misdiagnosed with ADHD and given lots of different types over a 3 month period as nothing was improving his poor behaviour at school. the medication turbo charged his undiagnosed anxiety.... View more

hi, I'm looking for any advice for GAD in children. My son was misdiagnosed with ADHD and given lots of different types over a 3 month period as nothing was improving his poor behaviour at school. the medication turbo charged his undiagnosed anxiety. he had a semi psychosis at Christmas, tried to kill me and hit me multiple times, 2 x trips to Children's hospital but no help provided. 4 months later and he is seeing a psychiatrist and is off ADHD medication but he's aggressive, verbally abusive and fearful, and can't go to school as his anxiety is so bad. He's on computer games all day long as we have to work, hard to insist on working from home full time, but one of us can be here, however he is really hard work and its slowly killing our family life. I feel so trapped and helpless. all his friends are very distant now too which is disappointing. Does it get better? what can help? thanks for reading.

Whatsitallabout Anxious about teaching jobs and sleep problem
  • replies: 3

I’ve been a primary teacher for about 10 years (in different locations) and I’ve got to the point now where I feel too anxious to take another teaching job. I was always anxious about teaching and all the observations and judgement from everyone- par... View more

I’ve been a primary teacher for about 10 years (in different locations) and I’ve got to the point now where I feel too anxious to take another teaching job. I was always anxious about teaching and all the observations and judgement from everyone- parents, other teachers, principals etc. I used to work long hours and tried my best to prepare good activities etc and then over time I started to get anxiety and sleep problems. Then I keep going to work without sleeping Which eventually makes you ill and then you need time off quite regularly. In the end I would resign for the end of the school year and sometimes I’d only last a term in some schools. Now I’m at the stage where I know my anxiety and sleep problem is so bad that I can’t take another teaching job. I know it’s a big responsibility looking after kids and I don’t want to let them down in their education. Now I’ve been without work for almost a year. I feel guilty, anxious and stressed about not working. I’ve even applied for teaching jobs and been offered them but then I’ve turned them down because of anxiety. I feel such a failure and I beat myself up because I can’t get up in the morning - because I can’t sleep often till about 4am. My family discuss with each other how unsuccessful I am. My husband was diagnosed with terminal cancer last year (he’s not been working since the start of the VIC lockdown) and that’s only added to the anxiety. I must work and I can’t afford counselling. I really don’t know what to do.

1415 Feeling scared all the time/impending sense of doom
  • replies: 3

I've been feeling absolutely terrified and an ongoing sense of impending doom for the past month and a half and I don't know how to stop it. Every time I see any slightly negative news story or anything on social media or anything about space, it jus... View more

I've been feeling absolutely terrified and an ongoing sense of impending doom for the past month and a half and I don't know how to stop it. Every time I see any slightly negative news story or anything on social media or anything about space, it just triggers me again and I end up so scared again. Even though I know its not, I'm constantly convinced that something terrible is going to happen and the world will end. I'm so tired of it and I constantly feel so sick from fear. I can't focus on any uni work or classes and my favourite band is touring later in the year and I'm excited but also convinced that the world will end before I can go. I'm terrified of going on my phone or listening/watching the news because everything terrifies me now and gives like a cold fear. I've tried all the different ways to stop it like slow breathing but nothing helps and I just keep getting triggered. Is there anyway to stop this?

bundychikk Noise Anxiety caused by neighbours
  • replies: 5

Hi everyone I need some advice. For 3 years I have been suffering with anxiety cause by my neighbours kids. Abit of a back story - They are living in a rental house. The kids yell and scream shrieking all day they are in the backyard unsupervised mos... View more

Hi everyone I need some advice. For 3 years I have been suffering with anxiety cause by my neighbours kids. Abit of a back story - They are living in a rental house. The kids yell and scream shrieking all day they are in the backyard unsupervised most of the time. They come onto our property they throw rocks at our house and our dog. They swear at us over the fence if we are in our backyard. They have recently come into our carport and smeared mud all over our glass doors when we weren't home. I have contacted the real estate multiple times about this issue and they have said they are doing what they can. We have never done anything to these kids apart from asking them to be quiet and stay off our property. For me everything is good when there is no noise but as soon as i hear one of them talking or playing now it makes me feel sick wondering if anything is going to happen . I find myself going to the windows and watching them to make sure they are not doing anything or on our property. It has gotten to the stage that even just hearing them makes me jump like a bang has gone off and i even think I can hear them when they aren't actually making any noise at all. I think i can hear them even when its the middle of the night. Every single day I am always on edge and anxious to the point where i feel physically ill, worried, heart racing, headaches. I have mentioned it to my husband who is away a lot for work and doesn't see/hear it a lot so he doesn't think it is that bad. I am at my wits end with this and don't know what to do any advice would be greatfully appreciated. This is the only issue that makes me feel this way i have no other problems with any other things like this in my life.

asianaussie Is it bad to be conflicted about wanting kids because of my toxic parents?
  • replies: 9

Heads up, I'm not expecting a baby nor in a relationship. I'm at a stage where my friends/peers are having kids, and I've spent time babysitting them. Many of my friends enjoy parenthood and seem to treat their kids well. It gives me resentment becau... View more

Heads up, I'm not expecting a baby nor in a relationship. I'm at a stage where my friends/peers are having kids, and I've spent time babysitting them. Many of my friends enjoy parenthood and seem to treat their kids well. It gives me resentment because of my own relationship with my parents.On surface level, my parents were abusive and uncaring. As a child, I was beaten and chastised, from being 'naughty' to failing a subject (particularly Maths). I was banned from attending any friends' parties and was enrolled into tutoring schools for extra homework. Even when I got A's for something, they would not care. But when I got B's or even C's, I would be screamed at and told 'what's wrong with you? You're so stupid!'. As I grew older, I was chastised for 'talking to boys', to the point where they locked my social media accounts and I was sent to an all-girl's school. On top of school work, my weight and appearance became the butt of jokes/comments, being told I was 'too fat, too ugly.' My mother went into my room several times and confiscated things, confronting and accusing me of 'doing bad things about the family to gain popularity'. My father was very withdrawn and did not attend any school awards, my musical/drama performances. In fact I was also criticised for doing performing arts and they went to the Subject Heads, to force me to change subjects .Even as an adult, I am still dealing with the mental fallout of my parents and they still refuse to accept any wrongdoing. They say that I'm 'a snowflake', and that 'this is the Asian way, get used to it'. But who tells their kids they are worthless? Who refuses to attend any single showcase and not acknowledge any success, hard work or struggle? Who dismisses and jokes about their issues? Who walks into their room, takes things and confronts them with it? Now at 25, they are nagging about 'having grandchildren' and 'marrying'. I feel so conflicted about marrying and having kids right now, because I fear I will be a bad mother. I do not want them to go through the same thing as I did. I also have mental health issues and would fear they would be affected. Is this wrong?

Anicca My dog has cancer
  • replies: 10

I found out last week that my 13 year old Schnoodle dog has a cancerous tumour on his leg. I don’t have friends or family and live alone. My dog is my companion and I could not love him more. I have GAD and major depression and Bipolar type 2. I am f... View more

I found out last week that my 13 year old Schnoodle dog has a cancerous tumour on his leg. I don’t have friends or family and live alone. My dog is my companion and I could not love him more. I have GAD and major depression and Bipolar type 2. I am finding it very hard to cope with this news. The vet had tears in her eyes when she told me. She said she was not expecting this. S is a very active and puppy like dog. We go back to the vet in 4 weeks time to see if the cancer has progressed. He doesn’t know he’s sick. I cooked chicken, rice and carrots for his dinner last night which I only do if he’s been unwell. S looked at me and wagged his tale so big, he wanted more! I don't cook it all the time because I want him to have a fully balanced diet. I worried this year when he turned 13 but I was planning on having another 4 years with him. He looks like he is in such good health. He developed a cough at the same time and the vet said he has a collapsing trachea. If it gets worse it can be treated with medication. I had no idea this was coming. Nobody does. He will have the best life I can give him. He may need lump removed but I worry that more will develop . I feel calmer for having reached out to BB. Thank you.

Clarissa26 Feeling broken at the moment
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone, I am not sure where to start but I feel like reaching out may be a start. I feel so much at the moment, lost broken, sad. I feel like I take on everyone else's worries. My husband has not been himself, worrying about money matters and th... View more

Hi everyone, I am not sure where to start but I feel like reaching out may be a start. I feel so much at the moment, lost broken, sad. I feel like I take on everyone else's worries. My husband has not been himself, worrying about money matters and that makes me worry. I hate it. I feel sick in the stomach, hot skin, want to just curl up in a ball and cry. I am also finding it hard to sleep so I am just tired. I often say to myself the storm will pass but I am hating being in the storm at the moment. My sister always tells me when I feel like this I need a plan to find my way out, I just feel so foggy at the moment I am not sure where to start. I am going to make an appointment with my GP to talk about stuff. I just hate this feeling.