Your positive story... please share

[Lind779]

Hi everyone,

I would love to hear your stories on how you overcome your anxiety or improved life with anxiety...

I know majority of us don't refer to these online forums when feeling great but if there are some, like myself that stay on here to help support others, please share. 😊

[StevoP]

I have to say I still deal with anxiety today/currently at the moment, but what helped me get that down to a more manageable level is not being bothered at all about what others think of me. Which allowed me to get back into my interests such as Star Wars ahaha yes a nerdy thing, but each to their own I think with whatever interest works for you and also I'm trying to get back into AFL and European football a bit as well. Star Wars is probably the easiest in terms of anxiety to like, as I have for many years I mean not saying I haven't been interested in those two sports but yeah with getting interested in those comes thinking about how thats more of an outside world thing. Still it all counts and I'm definitely trying to get back into all three

[paramedicfirey]

Here is a short story of success. I am a current full-time paramedic, and have also worked full-time as a career firefighter internationally and interstate. I have also taught for an Interstate Ambulance service and volunteered for numerous emergency services. In my day, I had to lie about getting these jobs as the stigma is and was tremendous and I would not of got these jobs if I advised them I had a mental illness. But come today, and my work knows and is nothing but supportive as the workplace has come a long way.
In short, at 19, I was diagnosed with Schizophrenia and have battled since with depression, PTSD, anxiety and to some degree bipolar. I am now in my early 40's with a family. Healthy family. I have been institutionalized 8 times but got up and back on the horse every time. It has been so hard, so hard but its a battle and even today i still struggle but with a very good psychologist, the right attitude and obedience with medications. Mental health should not be a block in anyone's life in regards to family, work and friends. Not saying its easy but well worth it. I mainly deal with pretty bad anxiety atm but cope ok. its hard but im ok. I jiust get paranoid about other workmates, thats my most struggle atm.
I have also had the privilege of traveling all around the world and I always believed you are either the victim or survivor. A great man once told me, who was my psychiatrist, you control your illness, not your illness control you.

[JRG]

Hello again,

What an inspiring story you have to share - getting past the hurdles despite the setbacks! I too can relate to working in Emergency services and primary healthcare whilst suffering from severe stress and mental health symptoms including anxiety. No one will ever joke that it is easy. Good on you for managing to cope and keep on working despite all of the problems you have been suffering along the way.

Personally, I have struggled not to find severe mental health a block in my life as it seems to have taken so much of my life away from me. However, your story is one of hope. I like what your psychiatrist has said to you. Mine also gave me a quote which I try and live by and it is this: "You have the right to look after yourself". Self care is something that I have always struggled with as I have always put others before myself. My mental illness is gradually teaching me that my psychiatrist is right - I cannot help anyone if I have not first helped myself.

Thank you for sharing your story.

JG.

[paramedicfirey]

Hi JG,

To tell you the truth I don't know how Ive done it. Still an ongoing struggle but I manage well. But in all honesty, I would never of made it today without the help of others. In all forms.

We both have chosen very stressful work. Sometimes I wonder if it was all worth it. Last week Ive been feeling has it all been worth it, as the amount of hardship, struggle and stigma, bullying I have endured in the past but i look at my family and accomplishments and say yes, it was worth it. Would ive chosen what doctors said that Im 75% incapacitated to work, DSP and housing commission, hide under a rock and roll, I guess not, but it can be hard. As you empathise with me. Since chatting with people who have similiar experiences, it helps so much. So many lost souls.

Mental health block, Oh God dont get me started. 🙂 Amount of time thats been wasted is alot. I totaolly get not looking after ourselves. To me its emotional, especially coming out of hospital in the past but as time goes by it gets better. When we dont love ourselves and are stressed we seek food and unhealthy options. Been there done that but I am lucky that my wife helps me.

And I too like what your psychiatrist said and there is an old jewish proverb. Not that I care if people believe in god or not but you cant win the lotto if you havent bought a lottery ticket and you cant help others till you help yurself as you said. very very true.

Thanks JG

[Jacstar44]

I walked the journey waiting to have a baby before having my first 10 years ago, and I know the level of stress it can put on a person. You have made a selfless, brave decision to wait till your mental health is more controllable because this is something you want really bad, and your willing to do what it takes. I know you will have a baby, I know you will get back on that path, sometimes we can loose sight of that, so I will be here, to believe when you need to wait, keep the faith when you take a break... I know I will be thinking of you a lot, even if we don't connect here again, and I will believe it will happen, because it happened for me, despite the odds, despite the years, it happened... twice. Well Done Mum!!

[Feeling_fine]

I have suffered from anxiety on and off since I was a teenager. At times I felt extremely unhappy despite lots of good things happening in my life. A few years ago I was in a bad place and thought of trying hypnosis as medication was not enough.
I wanted to tell people of my success in dealing with my anxiety using hypnosis and self hypnosis. I went to Sydney to see a hypnotist. After an initial treatment session she gave me a self hypnosis recording and program to follow at home. I was to listen to the recording twice a day for a month. I did this and it did assist a lot however I found my anxiety very powerful, so I kept on listening to the recording for a much longer time period. - over a year. I now feel very positive as though I have changed from a negative thinker to a positive thinker. If ever I feel a bit on negativity and anxiety creeping in I get the recording back out and listen to it. This seems to quickly get me back on track.
For me it has really worked and I feel very positive and happy. It has helped me to slow down my breathing, cope with some difficult problems without falling into a panic attack. I would recommended giving this type of treatment a go. It was worth going to see someone in person and the lady I saw was excellent, however if you cannot do that you can get the program and do it from home.
 

[Moonstruck]

Hi there Feeling Fine....do you mind telling me what the program is called?...thanks and so glad it helped you..

[Chloe111]

Fairy wings I need an earth angel in my life right now. I have major anxiety and currently living in a flight response to life. I feel my body may collapse with all the stress, elevated heartbeat, crazy thoughts, tense body and like acid rain bad thoughts..

[Snoopy88]

Hi chloe111 I just saw your post. How are you feeling at the moment? What’s going on for you? My anxiety is really bad aswell. What have you done for?

[Luvlife49]

Positive negative but what about realistic

sometimes people get confused believing which one ...positive or negative...they are way overrated and misunderstood