existential and social anxiety - can you relate?

[swtpotato]

hi everyone,

I was posting on the welcome and orientation section but thought I should move things here as it's more on-topic.

So my mental health story: I have always been really introverted and spacey kinda kid but also very optimistic and idealistic. I grew up being really self-conscious and felt like there was something wrong with me but was pretty good at ignoring it.
I had this bad lsd trip (1.5yrs ago) which blew all of my insecurities way out of proportion. I had all this derealisation and depersonalisation and severe social anxiety which led me to develop IBS and chronic fatigue. I was obsessed with the concept of identity and meaning and thought it was impossible to truly connect with other people.

[swtpotato]

thanks nath you are very kind,

ok I have managed to get out of bed and set everything up properly and have tried to rethink things.

I think I got anxious about it as I started out with a confusing topic and it got too much. This happens a lot I used to be able to do things last minute and do really well but since i got chronic fatigue it feels like I have had some kind of brain injury I can barely think any time I get stressed I get tired and foggy so I feel anxious as soon as I can't understand something. which continues the cycle I suppose as I assume I won't be able to do it. It's silly it's just an essay I've done so many I should be able to do this by now I'm in 3rd year.

you would know a lot about it then.

the only criteria is to show understanding of elements of indigenous or non-indigenous australian philosophy, and demonstrate understanding of the moral, cultural, political, social complexities of the topic chosen.

whenever I try and actually write anything without structure I immediately get anxious about it and overthink all the possibilities and then change my mind later idk I am finding it hard to relax rn I know it is separate from the work I know how to do it I will have to work it out again myself

[startingnew]

hey Em

im glad the others here have been able to help you. i can still help where i can too

for now sending some encourging hugs

xoxox

[Pysis]

Hi em

your very welcome if you ever do need help with anything to do with study just yell out, ok.

dont worry I've been the same lately I almost failed an exam a few months back because I got in there and panicked I had everything in my head before hand but as soon as I sat down and started reading the questions my head just went shit I can't do this and I forgot everything I even forgot what monotremes were ( platypus and echinaceas) the only reason I passed was becuase my teacher looked at all my essays and assignments and she decided to pass me. Don't beat yourself up about any of this its just your minds not really on your side at the moment but don't worry it will come back around.

ok so give your self some structure, what are the main points of it? Then expand on that abit? So if you still are doing ecotourism, it's something that benifits both settlers and aboriginal people, it is a major factor in conservation as it helps to educate the public, it helps to keep aboriganal culture alive and educates people about that, there needs to be a balance between making money and education so not stretching the facts or doing anything that my be disrespectful to the aboriganal people, there are social complexity sin terms of some aboriganal people are very protective of their history so you have to be carful not to share anything that may be considered sacred to their people and a lot of aboriganal comunitys still arnt very trusting or accepting of europian people and There are also other factors like you have to be carful of releasing certain information about endangered speices locations becuase of poaching there have recently been a lot of papers written about this. I don't know weather this helps at all but it might give you something to start with.

Hope you can figure it out, here for you if you need anything also your longer post from last night came through so I'll answer that later.😃

Nath

[Guest_1055]

Hi Em, starting new and nath....

I am so curious and you may have mentioned but what is with the eyes? Did you sketch starting new's eye picture Nath? If so it looks pretty good..

Mmm and yes the emotional side of our brain and hearts are so loud sometimes it is a challenge to use the other more factual and logical side. The feelings/ emotions can be overwhelming. Thus really making it a challenge to focus on the factual stuff, like writing a factual essay. Or even comprehending others written words. Well that is my experience.

Shell xx

[swtpotato]

Thank you Startingnew, Nath and Shell.

Nath - thanks for your input. I am doing both sides - appropriation and commodification//benefits of conservation and cultural exchange. It's going a lot better now but still slow. I know the structure more now.

I am just in the drained and sad phase of stress - u know what i mean? my housemate just ignored me then left for a date which tripped me up again -- it's like the other day crying over burnt toast. emotions are weird.

I am also curious about the eyes - your drawing is beautiful Nath!

Shell - thank you that is my experience.

I think I need to start putting more effort into myself to break bad habits, gotta look a little deeper to find the motivation. surely its hiding in there somewhere right.

hope everyone is doing okay and I really appreciate you guys giving the time to listen to me whinge haha.

Em

[startingnew]

whinge away

also sometimes to break the habit and to really get into studying its worth making up some goals.

when my studies got really tough id set myself a few small tasks or one task if it was harder and then getting a reward something simple like a small freddo frog, watching a tv espisode- but only one, being able to come onto the forums for a certain amount of time jsut little things like that can make a difference

something to think about anyway..

[Pysis]

Hi shell

yeah I drew stars eye it was a pretty big thing for her to put something like that up, I think anyway so I drew it for her. And thanks it turned out alright I think, I'm an animal illustrater so I'm not used to drawing humans at all so I'm pretty happy with it.

yeah I completely agree with you I'm the same when I get reall bad I can't concentrate on anything it's so annoying.

hope your ok

Nath

[Pysis]

Hi em

im glad your study is going a bit better now and you have found some structure.

Yeah I know exactly what you mean em, sometimes our emotions can just completey drain us and it feels like it's just one thing after the other. To be honest your roommate sound like a bit of a dick, I wouldnt worry about him he dosent sound worth it, it's his loss. And yeah emotions are very wierd.

i think that's a good idea, of course it's hidden in there somewhere you just got to dig it out, you can do it I know you can.

thinking of you

Nath

[Pysis]

Hi em

i hope your ok?

could I get some advice from you on my thread?

Thinking Of You

Nath

[swtpotato]

Hey Nath,

I'm not doing too bad today, I didn't finish the essay yet but am having a productive study sesh with a friend and feeling good.

How are you?

I left a post on your thread, you can ask for advice anytime 🙂

Em