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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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annabay what physical feelings of anxiety do you get?
  • replies: 797

hey there, what physical symptoms of anxiety do you experience? I often feel very alone in my experience of having physical chest (what I think are heart) spasms and was wanting to create a space for everyone to list their physical feelings that come... View more

hey there, what physical symptoms of anxiety do you experience? I often feel very alone in my experience of having physical chest (what I think are heart) spasms and was wanting to create a space for everyone to list their physical feelings that come hand in hand with anxiety so we can all feel less alone. hope everyone is well.

JazzieJay Menopause anxiety
  • replies: 2

Hi,I have come onto this forum for some advice. At 43 (now 48) I went through perimenopause and suffered from panic attacks, anxiety, low mood, depression. I went on HRT and the panic attacks subsided along with many other menopausal systems but I am... View more

Hi,I have come onto this forum for some advice. At 43 (now 48) I went through perimenopause and suffered from panic attacks, anxiety, low mood, depression. I went on HRT and the panic attacks subsided along with many other menopausal systems but I am now post menopausal but still suffering from anxiety on a daily basis along with low mood. Has anyone got any advice on how to help with this. I am seeing a psychologist and have just started on anti-anxiety medication. Hopefully I see a change soon. I know it takes time to get better.

Joe_Sad Im Sad
  • replies: 17

Ive been feeling down recently and very overwhelmed. I need help Pls help me.

Ive been feeling down recently and very overwhelmed. I need help Pls help me.

MrIrrational Why does my head always want the answer
  • replies: 4

Have suffered from anxiety for the past 14 years. I have recieved help from numerous professionals, including a period when i was medicated to help. Unfortunately, still with all the help, i still struggle with the basic anxiety feeling of needing th... View more

Have suffered from anxiety for the past 14 years. I have recieved help from numerous professionals, including a period when i was medicated to help. Unfortunately, still with all the help, i still struggle with the basic anxiety feeling of needing the answer, the conculsion, the solution to stop the irrelevant thoughts. I crave it, search for it, and ultimately feed my anxiety by allowing it to control me. Lately my triggers have become, more more rediculous, but the attacks still occur. I'll see something on a tv show, news article etc... and my brain will draw a paralell to an incident or event in my life. Now some of these i can get the answers or concludions based tests or time, but some there is no rational way to answer the anxiety. As an example, was watching a show, DNA testing was mentioned, they spoke about finding children they might not know through the test. Straight away anxiety hit me, and my thought pattern went to an event 20 years ago on a drunken night when i much younger. My anxiety hit top gear, asking questions, putting doubt in my head. Could that be me, my memory of the night suggests there is a very very small chance. I can't and potentially will never be able to answer the questions my brain is asking, as it was too long ago. Plus they are stupid questions, but can't move on from them. Outside of more professional help, anyone have tools or techniques they use?Thanks in advance

Lostworrier82 Cardiac anxiety 😟
  • replies: 21

Hi all, I’m new here and after reading a lot of peoples posts it gave me courage to share mine. I’m suffering badly with cardiac anxiety. I had a full check up with the cardiologist back in 2020, everything was clear, had no calcium in arteries so th... View more

Hi all, I’m new here and after reading a lot of peoples posts it gave me courage to share mine. I’m suffering badly with cardiac anxiety. I had a full check up with the cardiologist back in 2020, everything was clear, had no calcium in arteries so the pain in my chest and arm was left unknown. Over time it went away. I have two small children so life went on. But over the last month I have been suffering intermittent chest pain, left shoulder blade and a throbbing pain in my left arm. I also get sharp pain in my jaw but mainly around my teeth section. As I type my arm is throbbing on and off. You visit google to check your symptoms and as a long time health anxiety person is a massive no no but I did it anyway and of course it comes up heart attack warning signs. I think I got myself into such a stage tonight I really thought I was having one and I started crying and hugging my children. But after a bit I calmed down and it went away. But came back in an hour or so. I’ve told my GP about my symptoms and I’m getting full bloods done tomorrow but she thinks it could be bad reflux. Sigh. It’s just hard. I’m so scared of Something Happening and leaving my kids which makes me more down. I could do with loosing some weight and need to lower my cholesterol a bit but I stress going for a walk if I get arm or chest pain. How can you convince yourself these thoughts are just in your head? Has anyone had this experience before? Thank you for letting me vent.

kiwiboy0897 New Job Worries
  • replies: 4

Hello! I am a secondary high school teacher who has worked for Public Education for 3 years now. I am a permanent teacher. I decided to apply for a new job towards the end of the holidays after a lot of reflecting on my role… My boss is emotionally a... View more

Hello! I am a secondary high school teacher who has worked for Public Education for 3 years now. I am a permanent teacher. I decided to apply for a new job towards the end of the holidays after a lot of reflecting on my role… My boss is emotionally abusive (gaslighting, micromanaging, sexual harassment, manipulation, stonewalling) and would give me and my team unrealistic work projects and expected us to work late nights after work (usually 12 hour days) amongst many other things. When we would not meet her demands, she would get intensely angry and would use her power relationship as a form of workplace bullying and abuse. So, I decided to quit my job and give up my permanent job. I’m now going to work at a private school under a permanent contract with a friend who has worked there for years and absolutely loves it. She has always been shocked with my treatment at my old job and was always assuring me about the supportive environment at her school. It is a Catholic school; I am Catholic but I am also a gay man. This is giving me some anxiety as I have read some fear mongering stories online. I have reached out to many teacher friends in the Catholic system and they have all assured me I will not face any kind of discrimination from my employer. I’m also feeling more confident with the upcoming (hopefully) reforms to the Religious Discrimination Act. I’m just generally feeling sad, anxious, annoyed, scared and overall very bittersweet. I’ll miss my colleagues and my kids, but also worried about the choice I made. Any advice would be helpful. Thanks in advance!

cno1234 Getting P's over 30
  • replies: 5

I never got round to getting my P's in my 30's. The thought of doing it now is causing me anxiety and distress. I am wondering if there is anyone out there who is in a similar situation? Thanks

I never got round to getting my P's in my 30's. The thought of doing it now is causing me anxiety and distress. I am wondering if there is anyone out there who is in a similar situation? Thanks

Lu8Lu8 Financial Stability is Unachievable
  • replies: 7

Hi,I’m here because I have been finding it hard to navigate life because of financial concerns. I’m 25. I live rent-free with my boyfriend and we’re doing fine. But a lot of things have happened in the past few years which have made me feel anxious, ... View more

Hi,I’m here because I have been finding it hard to navigate life because of financial concerns. I’m 25. I live rent-free with my boyfriend and we’re doing fine. But a lot of things have happened in the past few years which have made me feel anxious, worried and stressed. To start, I failed a PhD so I decided to go find a job. When I finally got one, I was fired a month in for not being a good fit. So I decided to start studying a masters in a different field which I am enjoying. But I still needed money and I continued my struggle for a job. I got one with good pay but my mental health suffered due to my coworkers attitudes. I finally quit about a year and a month of working there as I had enough but now we are here. Unemployed. Studying. No income. Centrelink keeps making me fill out paperwork and I am using my life savings due to costs of living rising rapidly. To top it off, we had to move further away due to our house getting written off in a storm. So travelling is costing more. I only have my boyfriend near me for support. I’m not close with his family and my family live over 8 hours away and I don’t have any friends in the area. I’m alone most of the time. My boyfriend gets bombarded with all the things I stress about and it’s not healthy for me to place it all on him and I feel he doesn’t know how to deal with it sometimes. I haven’t got any formal diagnoses but I feel like I have chronic stress. I worry about being good enough to get and maintain a job. I worry about being good at the job. I worry that being financially stable in this global environment of rising costs is not achievable. I worry about not being able to achieve all the goals that I want to accomplish. I worry about everything from career, my body, my life. It makes me feel depressed and I tend to compensate my stress with food which is not healthy either. I just don’t see a light at the end of the tunnel. Anybody got any advice on how to manage my stress and worry levels?

AliciaDickson06 Single Parent
  • replies: 2

Hi, I am a single parent of a 3 year old and have been diagnosed with chronic anxiety disorder and depression I am finding it extremely difficult to function my everyday life aswell as being a mum this anxiety takes over my body completely and it’s a... View more

Hi, I am a single parent of a 3 year old and have been diagnosed with chronic anxiety disorder and depression I am finding it extremely difficult to function my everyday life aswell as being a mum this anxiety takes over my body completely and it’s actually really scary to the point I don’t eat sleep or take care of myself because I am so uncomfortable within myself I can’t do anything

_Gigi_ Stuck in my head
  • replies: 8

Hi, wondering if anyone else has this problem as well? I've noticed that I've been more and more stuck in my head as my anxiety grows worse. I've always been a daydreamer, but it didn't used to be like this. I now constantly daydream about anything a... View more

Hi, wondering if anyone else has this problem as well? I've noticed that I've been more and more stuck in my head as my anxiety grows worse. I've always been a daydreamer, but it didn't used to be like this. I now constantly daydream about anything aside from reality and I can't really control it anymore. Instead of making friends, reaching out to family, learning new things, or pursuing any goals, I just imagine I do. The majority of my daydreaming isn't about myself though, because sometimes it makes me upset to even think about anything close to my real life. Is it normal to daydream this much? Is it related to my anxiety as I suspect, or a totally separate issue altogether? I'm feeling a bit lost and any advice would be appreciated