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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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Macca96 Work Anxiety
  • replies: 29

Hi all. I will keep this short and to the point. Recently I started a new job which is quite demanding and it has made me very anxious about deadlines and I worrie I’m not going to perform well. My tummy feels like it’s twisted and I feel very nervou... View more

Hi all. I will keep this short and to the point. Recently I started a new job which is quite demanding and it has made me very anxious about deadlines and I worrie I’m not going to perform well. My tummy feels like it’s twisted and I feel very nervous about my work. This started 2 days ago and I haven’t been able to sleep. I can’t stop thinking about work!! Other symptoms include sweaty hands and loss of appetite. Is this GAD? Or am I just being silly? I have a doctors appointment tomorrow.

Hannan1- Can’t take anymore
  • replies: 3

I’m 52 and been in perimenopause for 18mths. I’ve been tapered off antidepressant’s over the last 2 weeks (don’t want to go down that road again) I can’t cope with the constant palpitations, my legs feel weak and I’m scared I’m going to die from a he... View more

I’m 52 and been in perimenopause for 18mths. I’ve been tapered off antidepressant’s over the last 2 weeks (don’t want to go down that road again) I can’t cope with the constant palpitations, my legs feel weak and I’m scared I’m going to die from a heart attack. My heart holter monitor and ECG was normal.Being told to cope with it is easier said than done. I feel like I’m letting my family down. I can’t die yet as l have a son with disabilities.🥲🥲🥲🥲 I feel broken with fear.

stevecau Guided techniques with the BB Counsellors or Clinicians vs SMS materials
  • replies: 1

Hi, I've been making used of the beyond blue support number for a few weeks now with thanks to a referral from the Open Minds organisation. I find that the majority of clinicians are very supportive and helpful but there are a few rough diamonds. I h... View more

Hi, I've been making used of the beyond blue support number for a few weeks now with thanks to a referral from the Open Minds organisation. I find that the majority of clinicians are very supportive and helpful but there are a few rough diamonds. I have schizoaffective disorder and for the first time after using this service after just a few sessions I was overcoming my catastrophisation anxiety attacks after clinician guided Breathing, PMR, Grounding techniques. I find if I try to do any of these by myself or through the SMS materials it is not the same experience. I find it extremely difficult to multitask and there is too much material to sift through and I suffer further. I've requested a call recording with one of the better clinicians and I'm hoping I can replay it to help me further. Does anyone else feel the same way? Diaphragmatic breathing with one hand on chest the other on belly and breathing just concentrating on the lift of the hands is down right the basics I can deal with but anything more and I'm overhwhelmed without the counsellor. As a voiceover artist, the tone, pace, accent, noise and music in much of the SMS material does not sit with me well.

Lindy77 Newbie with anxiety/panic with no trigger
  • replies: 11

Hi all my name is Lyndall and I’ve suffered anxiety and panic disorder for years. I am medicated for it, but recently I seem to be having attacks with no trigger. I could be perfectly fine then all of a sudden I’m filled with anxiety and panic. I’m a... View more

Hi all my name is Lyndall and I’ve suffered anxiety and panic disorder for years. I am medicated for it, but recently I seem to be having attacks with no trigger. I could be perfectly fine then all of a sudden I’m filled with anxiety and panic. I’m always feeling like I’m going to have a heart attack. I’ve had numerous ECG’S and I’ve had a stress test in the past and they have come back with no problems. I’m scared cause this is debilitating. I do have a fantastic Dr but I feel like I just annoy her with all my anxiety issues. I just don’t know where to turn.

amanda68 Alone and lost after marriage breakdown
  • replies: 19

Hi, I’ve struggled with depression and anxiety for over 22 years. My husband was my help with this when I couldn’t do something like drive far or go to the shops. Now after 21 years, my marriage is over. I have the full time care of my 10 year old gr... View more

Hi, I’ve struggled with depression and anxiety for over 22 years. My husband was my help with this when I couldn’t do something like drive far or go to the shops. Now after 21 years, my marriage is over. I have the full time care of my 10 year old grandson. I only speak with my daughter and have no friends or other family. I feel so lost and sad, I have no one to talk to not even my neighbours. I put on a brave face for my grandson who has lost his Poppy after being abandoned by his parents, 3 years ago. My sadness is consuming me and I again am starting to have panic attacks. I’ve booked to see my gp on Monday, but I need to talk to someone. I do see my psychiatrist regularly by he doesn’t seem to do much for me. I feel lost and scared for the future. Thanks for listening.

GreenEgg Telling my boss about my mental health
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone I’ve been wondering about whether I should discuss anxiety and depression with my boss. I’m wondering if you have any experiences or advice. They are incredibly supportive but part of that is they are constantly looking for development op... View more

Hi everyone I’ve been wondering about whether I should discuss anxiety and depression with my boss. I’m wondering if you have any experiences or advice. They are incredibly supportive but part of that is they are constantly looking for development opportunities for me, particularly in terms of leadership experience as the next linear career step would be a manager.The problem is that I can find this very triggering for my anxiety, and I’m really struggling. I know certain things are part of being a leader but I feel like I’m drowning and I can’t make a decision. I spend all day and night looking back over things and second guessing myself, not eating or sleeping properly. Running over hypothetical scenarios in my head. Playing them through and imagining something terrible, deciding I need to look into something more, ending up at a new scenario, etc. At the same time, I worry that if I tell my boss they won’t volunteer me for this stuff. That I won’t ever get the experience or grow or learn. That I can’t handle it and they’ll know that. But then I worry that I’m even thinking about telling them is a cop out, to avoid more responsibility. I feel like some of my quirks which they know will take on a different light.I’m just feeling really conflicted and stressed and not confident in myself right now. G

Russian_Red_Foxx I'm a furry and I want to come out to my parents, but I'm afraid of how they will react. What do I do?
  • replies: 7

For those who don't know, furries are people who personify themselves as an anthropomorphised animal, usually in the form of art, roleplay or sometimes dressing up as them. People tend to have a burning hatred for us, since they only choose to see th... View more

For those who don't know, furries are people who personify themselves as an anthropomorphised animal, usually in the form of art, roleplay or sometimes dressing up as them. People tend to have a burning hatred for us, since they only choose to see those who act out of line, going as far as to commit hate crimes and acts of terrorism (such as the chlorine gas attack at Furfest 2014). This is why I'm afraid to come out to my parents, since I don't know how they react, whether they would be understanding, disapproving or simply treat me like I'm not human. The furry community is one of my only sources of happiness and I'm afraid that they might cut me off if I tell them. However I don't want to stay in the closet because it's a big part of my personality, and I'm sick of having to hide it. Especially since there are so many events that I would love to attend, but I can't without my parents' approval. Do you guys have any advice on what I should do or how I should tell them? I know this may seem a bit different compared to everything else posted on this forum but this has been weighing me down for the last week or so.

Blondyroses GAD
  • replies: 1

Hi, I'm new to this group. I've had GAD all my adult life (and teenager but it was called high strung back then ) I am medicated for it which helps me a lot. I also suffer mild depression and PTSD and panic attacks but not regularly and also Social A... View more

Hi, I'm new to this group. I've had GAD all my adult life (and teenager but it was called high strung back then ) I am medicated for it which helps me a lot. I also suffer mild depression and PTSD and panic attacks but not regularly and also Social Anxiety.My husbands sisters (2of them,) invite themselves to stay when they come to Melbourne. Both are interstate and we see one more than the other. They usually bring their partners and make a night or two of it. It doesn't happen that often, ie maybe 3-4 times a year. I get very upset when they want to come and I spiral into a depression and anxiety immediately. One lot will be here in a couple of weeks and I know that will weigh on my mind until then and I will become more anxious. I don't like anyone staying AT ALL. I just want to be by ourselves (hubby and me) and he is quite happy to do that too. However, they're his sisters, and feel obligated to say yes every time. We are retired so not usually doing much but I wish we had the calendar filled just to avoid these stays. We are in country Vic not Melbourne so just a visit would not suit them. How do I manage this? Am I over reacting? This is real to me though. I get physically ill and my mood changes dramatically.Thoughts on how to handle this please?

KJDJ Panic Disorders - recommendation
  • replies: 1

Can anyone recommend a psychologist in Melbourne who specialises in panic disorders? A relative has had little to no success with therapy in the past - and is sceptical about having more - but those sessions were for generalised anxiety. I suspect th... View more

Can anyone recommend a psychologist in Melbourne who specialises in panic disorders? A relative has had little to no success with therapy in the past - and is sceptical about having more - but those sessions were for generalised anxiety. I suspect the ‘anxiety’ they are suffering now is, more specifically, a panic disorder, so I would like them to see someone with expertise in that area. I’m aware waiting lists are long. Thanks.