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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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PsychedelicFur Social Media affecting my anxiety + not being active on Facebook for almost 48hrs!
  • replies: 2

I haven't been on Facebook for almost 48 hours! I was HEAVILY addicted to and reliant on Facebook, for my happiness. I would spend HOURS upon HOURS scrolling through my newsfeed. And a few days back I temporarily deactivated my profile for a variatio... View more

I haven't been on Facebook for almost 48 hours! I was HEAVILY addicted to and reliant on Facebook, for my happiness. I would spend HOURS upon HOURS scrolling through my newsfeed. And a few days back I temporarily deactivated my profile for a variation of reasons. One main reason was, I was CONSTANTLY comparing myself to others. It was not good for my self esteem or anxiety. I also would get jealous of others too. Jealousy is definitely one of my flaws, I'll be the first to admit. I don't know how long I will be off Facebook for BUT so far the days have been much more productive and fulfilling. My social media addiction was deeply affecting my sleeping pattern too. I read somewhere that IF you are NOT paying for the product then YOU ARE the product. And that overwhelms me. Not everyone should know about what I AM doing in my life. Feeling confident in my decision. A social media addiction needs to be combatted. I have been sleeping better and not really comparing myself to others. I am worthy and I don't need external validation from others, on a website. PLUS how many of your Facebook friends are REAL friends? A lot of them are just associates or acquaintances, that's what I find.

Overwhelmed-Girl Health Anxiety
  • replies: 1

Hello,I am a we year old with sever anxiety, and newly diagnosed adhd and autism. I've been handling things pretty well recently up until about 3 days ago when I had a series of visits to the ER due to some NON life threatening issues, which in turn ... View more

Hello,I am a we year old with sever anxiety, and newly diagnosed adhd and autism. I've been handling things pretty well recently up until about 3 days ago when I had a series of visits to the ER due to some NON life threatening issues, which in turn left me having constant panic attacks for e days straight. It affects me and my body tremendously, makes everything worse and also makes my partner stress out too because I am in a constant state of being overwhelmed. I always get worried when I feel something that is new or unusual in my body, and it gets worse when someone gives me a reason to worry...but I always over do it. I guess I'm a hypochondriac but I just can't keep doing this. I am seeing a psychologist but have been unable to see a psychiatrist for medication yet so maybe that will help? I don't know what to do anymore.

Mccloud Anxiety from illness??
  • replies: 2

Hi guys, I've been diagnosed with Vestibular migraine roughly 2 years ago, I havnt been able to work for last 2 years due to illness. I've had alot of dizziness, vertigo, blurred vision, migraines, ringing in ears etc etc.. I've been on medication fo... View more

Hi guys, I've been diagnosed with Vestibular migraine roughly 2 years ago, I havnt been able to work for last 2 years due to illness. I've had alot of dizziness, vertigo, blurred vision, migraines, ringing in ears etc etc.. I've been on medication for this illness but I feel my anxiety is through the roof. I find myself very nervous and stressing alot about my illness even on days I feel ok. I know find it very hard to do normal day to day stuff. I hardly leave the house as I'm too scared these symptoms will come back, I constantly talk myself out of doing family things and some days even down to the shops or for a drive. Just wandering if anyone has a similar problem and or feedback on what to do, weather I need medication for anxiety. Just not sure where to start?? TIA

Ausernsme Anxiety chest pain no panic attack
  • replies: 15

Hi So I was wondering if anxiety can cause chest pain without having had a panic attack? 5 years ago I used to have chest pain and always be anxious about my health. I had my heart checked everything was normal and I was diagnosed with anxiety. I too... View more

Hi So I was wondering if anxiety can cause chest pain without having had a panic attack? 5 years ago I used to have chest pain and always be anxious about my health. I had my heart checked everything was normal and I was diagnosed with anxiety. I took an SSRI for 4 years and then stopped last year. For the last 3 months I've been getting chest pain and my anxiety has been getting worse. Just this week I've started to get facial twitches as well. Can anxiety cause chest pain though even though I'm not hyperventilating or having a panic attack. The other thing is this chest pain I've been getting lately is located where my heart is while years ago when I would get chest pain during panic attacks it was located on the top left of my chest further away from the heart. I've had several ecg's this year which came normal but can't help but think maybe the problem just isn't happening when I'm having the ecg. I'm only 26 years old and I have smoked but only for about 6 months 2 years ago. Doctors always tell me it's unlikely to be anything wrong with my heart at my age. I'm not obese and blood tests and vitamins are good as well. I definitely over worry about my health but this chest pain in particular I just wonder if it can be cause by anxiety even though I'm not having a panic attack. Also I know the chest pain isn't heart burn since I grew up with heart burn and it is a totally different feeling. This feels like a constant stabbing pain.

AnxiousBird123 Chest pains worsening my anxiety
  • replies: 1

Hi everyone, Finally decided to have a go at this. I've been suffering with anxiety for almost 6 months now. A sudden close family members death was the tipping point (died from a heart attack).A month after his death I had my first panic attack, at ... View more

Hi everyone, Finally decided to have a go at this. I've been suffering with anxiety for almost 6 months now. A sudden close family members death was the tipping point (died from a heart attack).A month after his death I had my first panic attack, at first I thought I was having a heart attack. After that night my life just felt different.Since then I was always checking my heart beats and googling every single new symptom i felt.I've been distracting myself and haven't been getting anxiety attacks for a while but all of a sudden I've been getting chest pains.The chest pains come randomly for a few seconds then go again, I keep trying to reassure myself that it's anxiety but I'm scared it's worse.Went to the doctor 3-4 times in a month and they say nothing's wrong with me. I don't know what else to do. I've been trying breathing techniques, but they don't always help.Does anyone know of any treatments for these chest pains?

lonely_076 Lonely
  • replies: 2

How to feel welcome , not finding anyone I can trust to talk out my thoughts always feel people are looking through me, never feeling good enough to be in people’s life’s . Feeling dumb and unappreciated. Trying to stay positive with no support, figh... View more

How to feel welcome , not finding anyone I can trust to talk out my thoughts always feel people are looking through me, never feeling good enough to be in people’s life’s . Feeling dumb and unappreciated. Trying to stay positive with no support, fighting my battles alone . It’s Hard !

xx00 Health Anxiety
  • replies: 1

Hello everyone,I have always suffered with anxiety but it’s never consumed my days. My usual anxiety episode would last 5-10 minutes and not come back for weeks on end but for the last 3 months I have been having anxiety attacks everyday and lasting ... View more

Hello everyone,I have always suffered with anxiety but it’s never consumed my days. My usual anxiety episode would last 5-10 minutes and not come back for weeks on end but for the last 3 months I have been having anxiety attacks everyday and lasting an hour or so. For the last 3 months with my anxiety it has turned my stomach away from food, to the point I was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. I have 5 comfortable foods I eat everyday but for the last 3 weeks I have been introducing new foods as requested by doctors. Every time I try new foods I have a sensation food is stuck in my throat or that I’m choking hours after I eat which is really irritating me. I read that anxiety can cause a lump sensation that mimicks food being stuck in the throat? I want to know if anyone else suffers from this sensation and ways to cope with it. The sensation of choking happens hours after I eat my food, and I’m trying to tell my body that if I was going to choke it would be instantly not delayed by hours.

aivilo45 New job making me anxious and depressed
  • replies: 2

Hi all, I started a new job this week and it is making me feel extremely anxious and depressed. I suffer from depression and anxiety. I feel very isolated at the job, everyone has their friends and I feel as though im kind of off to the side, awkardl... View more

Hi all, I started a new job this week and it is making me feel extremely anxious and depressed. I suffer from depression and anxiety. I feel very isolated at the job, everyone has their friends and I feel as though im kind of off to the side, awkardly sitting there. I am not overly fond of my team leader either, everyone sucks up to her and she clearly loves herself but im not about that. For some background info, i struggled a lot during highschool with friendships and this job is really triggering old emotions for me. The job itself is just ok, the work is hard and I know i still have a lot to learn. I know we have to work to make a living, but I just hate it. I always say to myself if this is what my job is going to be like and life is going to be like then whats the point of me being here (I am not going to do anything to myself). But i just get into that state of mind. I dont want to have to keep going to work everyday having panic attacks, and crying when I go to the bathroom or on my lunch break. I have amazing support at home from my loved ones, partner and friends but sometimes I just feel like no one gets it and that Im stuck in a hole. I haven't had a secure job for some time, either the manager being a bully or the job messing me about. So i have then had to leave the job, I feel as though I am somewhat self sabotaging at this point with any new job. My parents are both worried about me at the moment as Im really anxious and depressed, and in the past I was super close to attempting but called lifeline who sent police to my house, and seeing my parents and brother cry made me so upset, so I would never do that again (and I am not planning on it). I just want some advice and strategies please: How do i deal with people I dont like at work?How do i deal with the anxiety of going to work everyday?How do I not think the worst and have those bad thoughts when i have had a bad day?how do i feel with feeling isolated at work and like no one likes me? Thankyou.

Ali75 Anxiety medication for Teens
  • replies: 1

Hello I was wondering everyone's experience with anxiety medication for teens. My daughter has been on a medication since just after christmas and although I know it cannot take away her anxiety it has not helped at all. She is still stressed and ref... View more

Hello I was wondering everyone's experience with anxiety medication for teens. My daughter has been on a medication since just after christmas and although I know it cannot take away her anxiety it has not helped at all. She is still stressed and refusing school. My question is, should we return to gp and try a different one? Are some more effective than others? What is everyone's experience with this? Thanks

calli_the_abnormality I can't control my emotions and it's worrying.
  • replies: 3

Good morning/afternoon/evening. I'm writing because I've been having unreasonably sudden spikes in my anxiety. I've been diagnosed with severe anxiety/depression and I've been on medication for the past 5-6 years. As of writing this, I've just been c... View more

Good morning/afternoon/evening. I'm writing because I've been having unreasonably sudden spikes in my anxiety. I've been diagnosed with severe anxiety/depression and I've been on medication for the past 5-6 years. As of writing this, I've just been crying over a normal interaction with a teacher that normally, wouldn't result in me crying. My emotions have always been difficult to regulate and coupled with my lackluster social skills and 'strange' interests and behaviors have led me to believe I may be high-functioning autistic. How well I'm functioning is up for debate. I have no idea what to do with myself. I'm supposed to be graduating this year and going to university the next. Yet I can't compose myself at all.The interaction in question was just the teacher asking me to close my laptop. I immediately felt fearful, a pit in my throat. My eyes went sore and tearful and my friend noticed. I couldn't speak, I knew I'd cry if I did. I think it was the teacher's tone. See, I'm trying harder than usual to pick up social cues and tones of voice due to the suspected autism. So when I realised that the teacher was potentially ticked off, it shook me. I'd like advice, how do I regulate my emotions? How do I tell my parents without being undermined or told to just 'grow up?' (a common occurrence.) Can I seek help, preferably for free and without my parent's knowledge? Is there some other potential diagnosis in the mix? Please.