New here!

[Rupali]

Hi all!

I am absolutely new to forums and this is my first time posting anywhere. It has been 7 months since I moved here. I had been working from home since last 2 months due to COVID- 19. I thought I am managing myself quite well living alone with no friends at all. The problem came to my notice since I moved back to work a couple of weeks ago. I was unable to approach or talk to my colleagues. I would get nervous and my heart rate will increase with hot flushes to my face while talking to anyone. I feel like I might be having underlying social anxiety since a long time but has completely came to surface now and left me feeling embarrassed. This has occurred before as well but not this intense. Is anyone going through similar situation?

[Sophie_M]

Hey Rupali, welcome to the Beyond Blue community!
Thank you for sharing your experiences here with us. We know many members will be able to relate to the feelings you're describing and hopefully, some of them will stop by and offer you some advice on what worked for them. 

We understand how debilitating anxiety and social anxiety can be. If you feel that it would be beneficial to you to talk through your feelings and experiences with a counsellor, please, contact the Beyond Blue Support Service anytime on 1300 22 4636 or get in touch with us on Webchat 3pm-12am AEST here: www.beyondblue.org.au/getsupport
One of the friendly counsellors can offer you some support but also provide you with advice and referrals for seeing a counsellor in a more ongoing way.

We'd also recommend reaching out to our Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service. The website will be regularly updated with information, advice and strategies to help you manage your wellbeing and mental health during this time. You can also call our dedicated support line, staffed by mental health professionals, which is available 24/7 on 1800 512 348.

We hope that you keep checking in to let us know how you're going, whenever you feel up to it. 
 

[Tay100]

Hi

Welcome to the forums, we appreciate you posting here! We are a caring, non-judgemental space to seek peer support, navigate mental health and make social connections. Some threads that may be useful to you include this one: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/anxiety. Here you can read about people with similar experiences, and find general advice and even some community.

If you would like to to find out more about how to use the forums in a healthy, productive and safe way or have a chat about you are travelling here, please let us know. We are here to listen.

Sending kindness,
Tay100