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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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Jazzy94 I just cant cope
  • replies: 2

So, i am new to this site and to online forums in general. I have been struggling but i am not ready to acknowledge this to my family or friends.(myself to i suppose) It makes it too real. However i am ready to start the process so here i am. This is... View more

So, i am new to this site and to online forums in general. I have been struggling but i am not ready to acknowledge this to my family or friends.(myself to i suppose) It makes it too real. However i am ready to start the process so here i am. This is less intimidating and scary. I am 22 and i have a job as a PCA. Its okay. I also have a second job and live at home. Life is actually pretty good for me but i am struggling to appreciate it. I keep myself up at night with repeatitive thoughts of how i could have done things better, i could be better if i did stopped doing unhealthy shit, i could have been in a happy relationship with person A if i just didnt let my own insecurities beat me. Its effecting my job some nights i get only 3/4 hours sleep and ive been late for shifts and had 1 given away to someone else completely. Being casual comes with a feeling of uncertainty with my shifts so this past week i havent had a call in and i cant help but blame myself. I am.having vivid daydreams all the time of how life would be better if only i was more smart, more pretty, more hardworking etc its just i sit in my room and think why cant i be more like (my dad, a friend even characters in favourite books) Then i get thinking why cant i just dissapear into one of my favourite novels i just... arent coping. And now my eating habits. Its all over the place. I am sometimes not eating other times binging till im sick. Ive been writing in a journal since i was 12 and this feelinf have of being over whelmed and having a racing mind and heart as i tru to sleep has definately gone on longer than 2 weeks. Months actually i could go back in my journal and see the same repeatitive thoughts written a million different ways. Im hoping that posting here and reading other peoples stories will help me.

idontknowdants ROCD, struggling to be happy in my relationship.
  • replies: 2

Im currently dealing with constant nagging negative thoughts about my relationship and its driving me insane. My girlfriend of 2months is amazing and has been there for me throughout my struggles. Shes perfect for me and we get on so well, she makes ... View more

Im currently dealing with constant nagging negative thoughts about my relationship and its driving me insane. My girlfriend of 2months is amazing and has been there for me throughout my struggles. Shes perfect for me and we get on so well, she makes me laugh, she makes me feel comfortable, shes the only one ive tried to stay strong for throughout all of my struggles and i told myself i wouldnt give up on her like i have given up on relationships in the past. Shes been my rock throughout this along with friends of mine who have been there to give me reassurance and guidance. I have spoken with so many online counsellors and nothing has helped me, infact the negative thoughts have gotten worse recently. within the first few weeks of dating, i began to experience doubts such as "what if i dont like her?" "what do i like about her?" "is she really that attractive to me?" and from there the thoughts began to spiral. I soon began to think i was falling for other girls, i couldnt just focus on her, the doubts worsened to the point where i just couldnt feel for her anymore, it was as though all my romantic feelings were drained just like that and i couldnt give her any love without overthinking and questioning it. I know theres a part of me that loves her deep down and i know i really like her even though it doesnt feel that way at the moment, but i just want to know if anyone else has been through this? The reason why i say its ROCD is because ive noticed a pattern and in each relationship or with each fling ive had, the negative thoughts come in and make me uncertain of my feelings leading me to end the relationship. Im trying to fight this time because i know shes worth it and i know she'd make an amazing wife and mother to my kids one day but all these thoughts just keep draining me even more. Its as though everytime i think positive and have a certain thought, the negativity comes back and drains all of that certainty and positivity, i just dont want to hurt her or drag her on but i know it cant possibly be my true feelings. I cant feel any positivity, all i can feel is this constant nausea and sometimes guilt because i cant give her the same love right now that she gives me everyday, no matter how hard i try. I also feel this urge to break up with her just because being single is an easier option and because it gives me a positive feeling but im not sure of thats the right way to go.. someone help me please.

Shaquille new to anxiety and taking meds
  • replies: 5

My dr prescript me medicatiion for my anxiety, day 4 and I'm feeling dizzy and sleepy most of the day. But i have 2 young kids that need their mum. I'm scared for them. I'm scared for me. But i need to control this anxiety and depression. Does Anyone... View more

My dr prescript me medicatiion for my anxiety, day 4 and I'm feeling dizzy and sleepy most of the day. But i have 2 young kids that need their mum. I'm scared for them. I'm scared for me. But i need to control this anxiety and depression. Does Anyone have any advice to make a postive out of this.??

clouds11 needing encouragement
  • replies: 2

Hi guys, I'm just reaching out at the moment for some encouragement. Lately I've been struggling with some issues in my life. Without going into too much detail, my housemate has been very hostile. She said some things to me that broke my confidence,... View more

Hi guys, I'm just reaching out at the moment for some encouragement. Lately I've been struggling with some issues in my life. Without going into too much detail, my housemate has been very hostile. She said some things to me that broke my confidence, and in the last month I've been struggling through overcoming what she said to me. I'm in a situation where I can't leave till the end of the year. Luckily things have mellowed, with her just ignoring me now. I'm finding things so hard. Each day I focus on the positive things in my life and all the people that love me and care for me. But those things are eating away at me, and I just don't know what to do. I find myself having bursts of anxiety, experiencing heavy heartbeats and a lack of sleep when I'm home. Sometimes when I'm alone I'll work myself up into a state where I'll just spend extended times crying and holding myself. Any words of kindness are appreciated, Much love xxxx

_AnxiousMess_ Any help would be appreciated
  • replies: 11

Hi all i am 8 months without meds and have gotten over the withdrawals with a whole lot of hard work and effort. but now I am feeling like I am just living to cope... not getting any better just putting out spotfires everywhere by listening to anti a... View more

Hi all i am 8 months without meds and have gotten over the withdrawals with a whole lot of hard work and effort. but now I am feeling like I am just living to cope... not getting any better just putting out spotfires everywhere by listening to anti anxiety talk downs meditating Reiki yoga etc etc. can anyone please point me in a direction of something that is going to enable me to live not just exist in between attacks. open to any techniques practitioners anything just not more medication- thanks

NextStage Feel Like A Fake
  • replies: 2

So 1st time poster, day 3 (3rd anxiety episode in 5 years) on anti anxiety meds. This attack was far worse than the other 2 times & I have no idea what has triggered although I feel a change in life status has contributed. My child turned 18 & finish... View more

So 1st time poster, day 3 (3rd anxiety episode in 5 years) on anti anxiety meds. This attack was far worse than the other 2 times & I have no idea what has triggered although I feel a change in life status has contributed. My child turned 18 & finished school in 2016. For all his school life I made myself available to assist him in school/sports routine whilst juggling full time work and co parenting. Naturally I mingled happily with other parents but never developed any lasting friendships, in fact I sometimes dreaded attending because I could hardly relate to them/their circumstances and/or preferred my own space/hanging out with my husband/husbands family and a few people from work/previous employment. Out of all my friends, only 3 are partnered, the rest are single of various ages and 1/3 I currently work with - I did not seem to have the need to socialise outside of work or if I did it was only occasionally/spasmodically until recently just before New Years 16/17. I woke up feeling disconnected from myself and my life. For days afterward I would wake-up crying & feeling sick for no reason except for feeling terrible, a sense of dread, that life has passed me by and that I cannot go back, relive or change things and options that might be available in my 20's/30's are not options now. My husband has been a great support & sounding board - even coming with me to the Dr. I reached out to a couple of trusted friends and told them what was happening prior to going back on to meds and they have been great, T-ing up going out socially and getting exercise, but I still feel isolated and on auto pilot, during the week not really wanting to do much but get home (1hr away), whilst on the weekends wondering if this is how the rest of my life is going to be. I have no drive anymore and wish I had other people to talk to in the same life status as me. My older sister is interstate (10yrs+) very opinionated and we clash thus for my own wellbeing it is better to limit contact. My dad is 90 and has his own health issues to deal with thus I have minimal family support. Am I living a lie?

Countrymusicgirl Bad anxiety for a month.
  • replies: 6

Bad anxiety for a month from feeling resentment towards my sister and feeling selfish for wanting to spend time with my partner who is a full time carer of my mum. And that question why do we have to take care of her, why can't my sister take care of... View more

Bad anxiety for a month from feeling resentment towards my sister and feeling selfish for wanting to spend time with my partner who is a full time carer of my mum. And that question why do we have to take care of her, why can't my sister take care of her. From feeling resentment towards my sister that makes me a feel like I'm the bad person and that I should stop complaining about taking care of mum while my sister is busy working, busy going on holidays busy taking care of her dog etc etc. For the last month all these thoughts have my anxiety so severe that I've turned to food as a comfort, Im not sleeping, but when I do I have nightmares that make me rethink why I help my mum and makes me more anxious.

joannehazel Anxiety Help
  • replies: 3

Hi, Lately I’ve been feeling very anxious for no reason. I have shortened breath, breathing feels like an effort and there is a huge sense of impending doom. I’m 16 years old. Last night I couldn’t get to sleep – was tossing and turning and felt extr... View more

Hi, Lately I’ve been feeling very anxious for no reason. I have shortened breath, breathing feels like an effort and there is a huge sense of impending doom. I’m 16 years old. Last night I couldn’t get to sleep – was tossing and turning and felt extremely inadequate. On other nights, when I do manage to sleep, I dream A LOT. They’re very vivid and I always wake up tired, like I was awake in another world and now I have to conquer the stresses of this one… I can’t remember the last time I slept well. My mum doesn’t think I have a disorder worth diagnosing, and I. Really. Hope. I. Don’t. Either. I don’t want to take medications for the fear they’ll possibly do more damage than harm, I don’t want to be labeled as crazy and inefficient. But this feeling is so hard to fight. Just right now I was studying with the dark hand of anxiety clutching my throat, squeezing me so hard I had to put my pen down. I got teary (the feeling is scary – a concoction of hopelessness and doom and inadequacy), and decided to seek help online. School starts on the 30th January and I have very important exams to prepare for. I want this anxiety to go away. I’m desperate, please help. I hate feeling like this. It’s suffocating. P.S – I don’t know if you believe in personality tests, but I am an INFP with an enneagram 4w5. Apparently they are more prone to mental disorders, but I really hope there is a way to get around this without going down... that path.

empressliberty23 First day of work tomorrow... help me.
  • replies: 2

After suffering from Social Anxiety for many years which has hindered me from securing a paid job, I finally summoned the courage to go through a job interview, then a job trial which has subsequently gotten me a new job. I start tomorrow, and though... View more

After suffering from Social Anxiety for many years which has hindered me from securing a paid job, I finally summoned the courage to go through a job interview, then a job trial which has subsequently gotten me a new job. I start tomorrow, and though I understand nerves are normal, I'm still panicky. There is a clear voice in my mind that says "I don't want to do it", and I feel chest tension, stomach upset, the urge to cry and feeling a bit nauseous just dreading the worst. I'm 24 and this is my first stint at working a paid job. SA has really restricted me from living my life to the full - so convinced that I'll do horribly and that no one will accept me, that as a result, I won't even take a risk. Avoidance has been my coping mechanism for a long time. There's a part of me that just wants to avoid, stay at home and not risk failure, but then there's another side - who wants progress and change. Who wants to expand and grow and learn. I really want to go to the UK, so I just think of the perks this job could afford me, like a plane ticket. In fact, I was thinking of making a pinboard on Pinterest, just dedicated to all things UK. That way, should I feel stressed or anxious or feel as if I'm not accepted at work, I can just look at the board and remind myself of what I'm fighting for. I've already come a long way when it comes to recovery from SA. I volunteered at two organisations, which were both invaluable experiences and served to be some exposure therapy for me. Feedback from colleagues and superiors have been positive, but I'm still so adamant that I just won't fit in this new job and that I'll be terrible. Has anyone felt this way and what have you done about it?

DN129 The 'rock bottom' physically ill feeling after coping fine with anxiety for weeks/months.
  • replies: 2

So I had been doing very well with anxiety lately. I got a new therapist and he really helped. Following his advice I had been making a lot of progress and felt somewhat able again. Then all of a sudden a few nights ago after subjecting myself to anx... View more

So I had been doing very well with anxiety lately. I got a new therapist and he really helped. Following his advice I had been making a lot of progress and felt somewhat able again. Then all of a sudden a few nights ago after subjecting myself to anxiety all day I got a random headache seemingly out of nowhere, started with a kind of radiating tension headache, then the host of 'unwell' symptoms hit, slight nausea, slight vertigo, sensitivity to motion. Feelings of ear pressure and aches. Just feeling genuinely off. When that hits I find the anxiety is much much harder to deal with. I've felt that way a few days in a row now. Its a really weird set of symptoms and I'm not quite sure I understand it. Does anyone else randomly get stuff like this? Almost after 'build up' anxiety.