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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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Mic_Quid Return to work
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone, I'm looking for some advice around my return to work on Monday after a short absence. I've suffered from anxiety for my entire life, but have been on a journey to better understand myself over the past seven years. I find that my anxiety... View more

Hi everyone, I'm looking for some advice around my return to work on Monday after a short absence. I've suffered from anxiety for my entire life, but have been on a journey to better understand myself over the past seven years. I find that my anxiety has its ups and downs as I imagine it does for most people. Recently there have been some additional pressures in life and I have found myself struggling more. I've been to the GP and have been working with a psychologist as a part of a mental health plan. One of my stressors at the moment is my work, where I don't feel valued or supported and management have unrealistic expectations. Recently my psychologist recommended some time off work and my GP gave me three weeks off. I'm due to go back on Monday but am concerned about what I tell them. I don't really want to divulge what's happening with my mental health as I don't think I will be supported at all and there's a chance it will be held against me. Does anyone have any thoughts as to what I can tell my workplace about my absence to preserve my privacy?

rose2002 Unsure and a Little Scared
  • replies: 2

So, I was talking to a friend the other day about how to go about dealing with just the general stuff going on in my head. I don't know if I have anxiety, depression, both, or neither, but I'm worried to find out. Not only am I scared to find out if ... View more

So, I was talking to a friend the other day about how to go about dealing with just the general stuff going on in my head. I don't know if I have anxiety, depression, both, or neither, but I'm worried to find out. Not only am I scared to find out if I do have an illness, but what happens if I don't? What if what I am experiencing is normal and I just can't cope as well as others? I don't know what I'd so if I talked to a doctor and all they told me is that I'm stressed or something. I don't exactly know why, but I am also scared to tell my parents that I don't think I'm coping. It's not that they'd be angry or anything. I know they are sympathetic enough towards people in my (and my siblings) life who have things like anxiety and depression, but what if it's a different story when they actually have to deal with it? I also feel like maybe they'll just tell me that I'm fine. I haven't felt as bad in the recent few weeks, but it still is always in the back of my mind. I also have this fear that I've just made up this disorder in my head and that I'm not actually anxious, but rather I've just convinced myself that I am... I'm just confused and writing this is making me upset. My friend said just to go to my GP because there's no harm in that, but just thinking about that scares me. Also, then I'd have to talk to my mum or dad and I don't think I can do that. Please help, I really need some advice. Thanks.

Daisy129 Fear of phone calls
  • replies: 23

I have struggled with social anxiety for many years. Most things I have been able to develop strategies for dealing with but for some reason I just cannot get past my fear of making and answering calls. I find it easier to make calls to strangers whe... View more

I have struggled with social anxiety for many years. Most things I have been able to develop strategies for dealing with but for some reason I just cannot get past my fear of making and answering calls. I find it easier to make calls to strangers when it is structured and I have a clear start and end to the call, but if I have to make a personal call to a family member, close friend or colleague, I really find it tough. When my phone rings, my heart races and I get really hot in the face, I just don't want to answer it. When I have to make a call it will often take days and repeated attempts and lots of worry in between. When I manage to make or take a call, I squirm all the way through, trying to be polite but honestly cannot wait to hang up. Just wondered if anyone else has this? Are there good ways of dealing with this or is it just best to avoid phone calls and communicate in other ways??

Sezza_H Feeling faint, dizzy, etc
  • replies: 3

Hello, I have been having troubles with feeling faint, dizzy and sometimes my eyesight is affected. In addition to this, I also get this feeling that I can’t quite describe whereby I can’t focus on what’s going on around me, almost as though I am jus... View more

Hello, I have been having troubles with feeling faint, dizzy and sometimes my eyesight is affected. In addition to this, I also get this feeling that I can’t quite describe whereby I can’t focus on what’s going on around me, almost as though I am just consumed with what’s going on in my head that I am not really in the present moment (sorry I realise this is confusing but I can’t quite describe the feeling with words). These symptoms can be very intense one minute and then subside shortly after or they can linger on for what feels like hours. I don't tend to feel this way at home but when I go out, especially if I am doing somethings that makes me anxious or just that I know could be an anxiety-inducing situation, I start to feel this way and it can be very intense. I also start to feel this way when I hear people just talking about it. Does anyone else have troubles with these feelings? Are there any strategies that people have to help mitigate these feelings? Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks

Idontlikemymind Binge eating disorder & Depression
  • replies: 2

I was put on medication in July 2016 for post natal depression/ anxiety and grief of loss and have been on it ever since. This year I have now developed an eating disorder called BED which is binge eating disorder. I stuff my face with food every nig... View more

I was put on medication in July 2016 for post natal depression/ anxiety and grief of loss and have been on it ever since. This year I have now developed an eating disorder called BED which is binge eating disorder. I stuff my face with food every night. There is not a day that goes by that I don’t binge eat. This is making me very depressed. I feel very low, unmotivated and hopeless. I see a psychologist but it’s hard to get an appointment with her. I am at my wits end and really don’t know what to do. Please help!

44Max44 'dream-like' state
  • replies: 20

The past few days I've felt like I've been in a 'dream-like' state, almost as if I'm living in a simulation of my life but not my actual life. I've found it extremely hard to think about or focus on anything other than my mental and physical health a... View more

The past few days I've felt like I've been in a 'dream-like' state, almost as if I'm living in a simulation of my life but not my actual life. I've found it extremely hard to think about or focus on anything other than my mental and physical health and constantly feel not quite all there mentally. I've found that I've been overly careless and just disinterested in most things. Usually talking to other people can help me break out of this state and bring me back to reality, but I can't do anything when I'm alone, so the night is especially daunting for me. I really want to go to my GP and book a Mental Healthcare Plan and have been planning to for months now, but I never end up going down. I'm not really sure why I'm so hesitant to go, but I really want to. Going to the GP and talking about physical things I'm fine with, it's just the mental stuff I'm too worried to talk about. I've tried to find similar posts on the forums about this type of issue, but none of them quite fit exactly what I'm experiencing, hence the new post. Sorry for all the posts I've made in the few days, there's just been a lot on my mind. Any and all help is appreciated.

Catherine54 Anxious54
  • replies: 3

Hi all wondering if any of you are on antidepressants was originally on a dosage for anxiety/panic/depression have recently 2.5weeks had my dose increased to double...does anyone have a similar story..and what side effects did you get from the increa... View more

Hi all wondering if any of you are on antidepressants was originally on a dosage for anxiety/panic/depression have recently 2.5weeks had my dose increased to double...does anyone have a similar story..and what side effects did you get from the increase and when did the full effects of the increase begin...my main side effects at the moment are shaky legs and arms, did have a heavy head feeling but that has decreased...thankyou everyone....and thanks for allowing me to join this group...

Kriddy24 Anxious about sleeping
  • replies: 7

Hi This is my first time here so please bear with me Ive only just recently in the past 2 weeks starting having anxiety attacks due to beginning a keto diet becoming dehydrated,then getting a head cold causing more dehydration and verdigo! Which now ... View more

Hi This is my first time here so please bear with me Ive only just recently in the past 2 weeks starting having anxiety attacks due to beginning a keto diet becoming dehydrated,then getting a head cold causing more dehydration and verdigo! Which now has trigger anxiety attacks!I've taken a week of work to work on myself which is helping as I start a new job on Monday ( which actually excited for) My problem is that I can talk myself throught these period of anxiety and generally get on with things but I'm worrying about going to sleep each night which is then causing me not to sleep then giving me worse anxiety the next day! My sleeping pattern this week has been as follows Sunday now sleep at all ( as I was anxious about having to go to work) then I just rang up and took the last week off, Monday 40 mins sleep, Tuesday 5 hrs sleep, Wednesday 8 hrs sleep woke up feeling amazing and had a great day but then began worrying that I might not sleep again then couldn't fall asleep until 1:30 this morning and awke at 5:15am. I'm starting this new job on Monday and I'm worried I won't be able to sleep properly the night before I'm taking alot of herbal remedies that have been put together through a herbalist just for my situation and I've just started taking melatonin to help put me to sleep. I need advice on how to help with teating my anxiety about going to sleep! Please help ☺️

Butterfly_Wings_of_Hope On Leave Without Pay...
  • replies: 1

So lately my anxiety has been affecting my decision making at work and my area supervisor suggested I take some time off to get my mental health sorted. I don't have much paid leave at all so I opted for leave without pay which is my only real option... View more

So lately my anxiety has been affecting my decision making at work and my area supervisor suggested I take some time off to get my mental health sorted. I don't have much paid leave at all so I opted for leave without pay which is my only real option and I'm now under some financial stress. I am not used to having a third of my usual pay. A part of me is seeing this as a blessing, because this is the first boss that has recognized my anxiety as a real condition, and acknowledges that my mental health is just as important as my physical health. But another part of me feels a big blow to my ego, and feels incompetent for not being able to work, even though I am trying to believe the truth that this is rubbish and I am just taking a break. I'm also paranoid that I'm not going to get back to work and that this is the beginning of me losing my job. Has anyone else out there experienced something similar?

Guest_1584 l blew up in the supermarket.
  • replies: 4

Hi people. l had a bad thing today and went off at someone in the supermaket, Thing is , there's this revolting sicko looking man in this town and l have no idea what it's about but first up, anytime l've seen him he stares right at me, he's even cro... View more

Hi people. l had a bad thing today and went off at someone in the supermaket, Thing is , there's this revolting sicko looking man in this town and l have no idea what it's about but first up, anytime l've seen him he stares right at me, he's even crossed the street to walk past me. And one day l got out of my car to walk into the hardware, he was walking up the street toward me, staring again , right at me. l'm in the hardware checking some stuff next minte his standing shoulder to shoulder right beside me.in a lane 70mtrs long. l thought hmm. creepy bastard so l left that lane went 4 or 5 lanes over to check something else. Guess what, he pops up again , same again here he is standing shoulder to shoulder almost touching, in another lane 70mtrs long without another soul in it. l thought right you weird so n so l'm outa here and left. Saw him few weeks later getting out of my car he crosses the road staring and walks straight past my and the car door. losing my patience now. let it go said nothing. Today l'm getting out of my car heading into the supermarket, actually saw him again other side of the road going the other direction. 4minutes later l'm in the inside grabbing veggies, go to turn and walk off again here he was, 2 inches away from me. lt thoroughly creeped me out and l lost my temper, got physical with him and swore at him to stay away from me and called him a few not very supermarket friendly names then stormed off. Needless to say he'd come out of that smelling like roses and l';; look like a madman that just bumped into someone and went off. l mean don't get me wrong l have no sympathy for the creepy bugger he had it coming anyway and l get anxiety in public awkward situations, but still, now they'll all think l'm mad. l dunno , if you could've seen all these situations though. he's one sick looking creeper, who could blame me don't you think? l know l should've kept cool l suppose and just threatened the cops onto him or something, calmly. butttt, Rx.