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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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EmiJ I have wasted so much
  • replies: 5

I am writing this because I have hit an incredibly low point.I am 31 and feel like I have destroyed myself and wasted so much time. I have thrown away some great opportunities and just seem to set myself up for the same failure every time I try to im... View more

I am writing this because I have hit an incredibly low point.I am 31 and feel like I have destroyed myself and wasted so much time. I have thrown away some great opportunities and just seem to set myself up for the same failure every time I try to improve myself.It’s just getting to the point where it is now pitiful and it gets worse when you think that your problems are nothing compared to some people’s.None of my coping mechanisms seem to be working and I honestly hate myself and grieve constantly for the person I could have been if I wasn’t such a comfort bubble self pitying coward.

Aussie.Girl Feeling held back by finances.
  • replies: 4

I am in my late twenties and I feel like most of the freedoms of adulthood are behind a paywall I can't afford to remove. I would love to be able to travel, or try new experiences, or even buy my own house one day but I can't fathom how I would ever ... View more

I am in my late twenties and I feel like most of the freedoms of adulthood are behind a paywall I can't afford to remove. I would love to be able to travel, or try new experiences, or even buy my own house one day but I can't fathom how I would ever be able to afford any of these things given the rising cost of living. I know this is probably a common feeling in the current climate, but I still feel like I have somehow been cheated out of the life I was promised as a child - where I could have or do anything I wanted as long as I worked hard... I feel like life is designed in a way where all I have time or energy for is work and chores, and it leaves nothing left for hobbies or friends. Or I can have hobbies and friends but no money to afford necessities. I can't see any way around this, and I end up stressed and disappointed either way. I'm also worried that I'm simultaneously wasting my young and healthy years by working, and by not having the freedom to experience the world and all it has to offer. Any advice? I'm just feeling really stuck and hopeless lately. I keep getting told to find a job I love, but being forced to to anything - even if I love it as a job makes it a stressful activity and I just end up burned out and upset.

busa71 I'm struggling a bit
  • replies: 3

I'm definitely struggling a bit at the moment. I recently received some very unexpected and frightening news regarding some ongoing health concerns that I've been working through. And, I now find myself in a new and unfamiliar place. I'm surrounded b... View more

I'm definitely struggling a bit at the moment. I recently received some very unexpected and frightening news regarding some ongoing health concerns that I've been working through. And, I now find myself in a new and unfamiliar place. I'm surrounded by people who care for me and have offered me some much appreciated support and guidance. Having said that, the news of my recent diagnosis and the physical symptoms of the illness and treatment are knocking me around. But, it's more than that - It's not just the physical symptoms that are bothering me. The psychological load has become pretty extreme - the not knowing how long or what will happen next or how bad it'll be (for both me and my loved ones). And, there's also the lack of control (the feeling of helplessness.) I'm not really sleeping and I seem to be constantly on edge. Sometimes, I'm not sure if I've got the strength to see this thing through. I'm doing what I can to make room for this new experience and care for myself appropriately (self compassion and mindfulness techniques have helped a bit, along with some time for reflective practices and gratitude exercises). But, the struggle continues. Put simply, I don't feel ready to go - I love my life and my beautiful wife and my children and all my wonderful relationships and my home and my experience of all these gifts. All too often, the physical and psychological symptoms of my illness seem to remind me of what is coming to an end. I seem to live in a strange new place now - one of extremes - a place where terrible and frightening experiences sit right alongside moments of profound thankfulness and gratitude. I don't want to let go. In the end, that's the truth of it - I just don't want to say goodbye to it (my heart aches for what will be lost).

Aussie.Girl Overwhelmed with problems I can't fix
  • replies: 1

I'm really struggling at the moment. I feel like I can't do anything to fix the 'real' problems in my life, and that any tasks I can manage to complete need doing again almost immediately. Without going into too much detail, three of the four family ... View more

I'm really struggling at the moment. I feel like I can't do anything to fix the 'real' problems in my life, and that any tasks I can manage to complete need doing again almost immediately. Without going into too much detail, three of the four family members I live with have long term health issues (and the other works full time and is rarely home). One of these people is experiencing particularly bad symptoms recently. This puts a lot of strain on everyone and means that we all have a bit of a short fuse at the moment due to stress and frustration. All of us have issues with anxiety too, which only makes things worse. My 12yr old dog is also have digestive issues which we are still trying to find the cause of, so that it can be treated more effectively. The vet thinks it is stress induced and I agree; but he is storm-phobic and we have had a lot of humid weather and storms lately so it's kind of out of my control. He's ok, still happy and active etc but it's another thing that has been weighing on my mind. I also need to find another job because I left my previous one as it was too high pressure (and was giving me RSI). However none of the jobs I can find are suitable and most have ridiculous requirements for availablity (6 or 7 days a week is too much). I just feel like all the things which are causing my anxiety are the ones which can't be fixed... And when I try to ask what I should do about that the answer is basically accept it and move on. How am I supposed to accept the fact that I have no control over my own life? I realise this is a bit of an exaggeration, but at the moment it really feels like there's some external force which is actively trying to prevent me from accomplishing anything and I am SO SICK OF IT. I don't want to accept the fact that I can't help my family members (including my dog) feel better, and I don't want to admit that no matter how much effort I put in it could make no difference at all. I know I have to try my best anyway and just do what I can, but I'm so tired of trying and trying and never seeing any payoff to acknowledge my efforts. I try to be there for everyone and make them feel a little better, but at the end of the day nothing changes. Why isn't life fair? Why can't everyone be rewarded for their hard work and kindness? What harm would it do if that were the case? Sorry for the rant. If anyone has some advice I would really appreciate it. I guess I'm just over feeling like external factors (illness, the weather, the availability of decent jobs, a lack of money etc) have more control over my life than I do.

Faithh Anxious, overwhelmed, panic and have covid
  • replies: 7

Hello,I'm really overwhelmed, panicked, stressed, anxious and just need to talk to someone.I have covid and pretty much feel recovered except for a cough here and there but I am so worried that I still haven't received a negative test (this means I s... View more

Hello,I'm really overwhelmed, panicked, stressed, anxious and just need to talk to someone.I have covid and pretty much feel recovered except for a cough here and there but I am so worried that I still haven't received a negative test (this means I still can't be near my partner) and so I am feeling very low mood and anxious to the point of feeling nauseated and just defeated and like I will never be fully recovered. I'm aware of how dramatic I sound - but this is my panic showing up Im not sure what Im asking here, but I guess Im looking for some reassurance during this very lonely time.Also may I add - it's 2024, and this is my first covid experience! Thanks for listening!

annabay what physical feelings of anxiety do you get?
  • replies: 797

hey there, what physical symptoms of anxiety do you experience? I often feel very alone in my experience of having physical chest (what I think are heart) spasms and was wanting to create a space for everyone to list their physical feelings that come... View more

hey there, what physical symptoms of anxiety do you experience? I often feel very alone in my experience of having physical chest (what I think are heart) spasms and was wanting to create a space for everyone to list their physical feelings that come hand in hand with anxiety so we can all feel less alone. hope everyone is well.

JazzieJay Menopause anxiety
  • replies: 2

Hi,I have come onto this forum for some advice. At 43 (now 48) I went through perimenopause and suffered from panic attacks, anxiety, low mood, depression. I went on HRT and the panic attacks subsided along with many other menopausal systems but I am... View more

Hi,I have come onto this forum for some advice. At 43 (now 48) I went through perimenopause and suffered from panic attacks, anxiety, low mood, depression. I went on HRT and the panic attacks subsided along with many other menopausal systems but I am now post menopausal but still suffering from anxiety on a daily basis along with low mood. Has anyone got any advice on how to help with this. I am seeing a psychologist and have just started on anti-anxiety medication. Hopefully I see a change soon. I know it takes time to get better.

Joe_Sad Im Sad
  • replies: 17

Ive been feeling down recently and very overwhelmed. I need help Pls help me.

Ive been feeling down recently and very overwhelmed. I need help Pls help me.

MrIrrational Why does my head always want the answer
  • replies: 4

Have suffered from anxiety for the past 14 years. I have recieved help from numerous professionals, including a period when i was medicated to help. Unfortunately, still with all the help, i still struggle with the basic anxiety feeling of needing th... View more

Have suffered from anxiety for the past 14 years. I have recieved help from numerous professionals, including a period when i was medicated to help. Unfortunately, still with all the help, i still struggle with the basic anxiety feeling of needing the answer, the conculsion, the solution to stop the irrelevant thoughts. I crave it, search for it, and ultimately feed my anxiety by allowing it to control me. Lately my triggers have become, more more rediculous, but the attacks still occur. I'll see something on a tv show, news article etc... and my brain will draw a paralell to an incident or event in my life. Now some of these i can get the answers or concludions based tests or time, but some there is no rational way to answer the anxiety. As an example, was watching a show, DNA testing was mentioned, they spoke about finding children they might not know through the test. Straight away anxiety hit me, and my thought pattern went to an event 20 years ago on a drunken night when i much younger. My anxiety hit top gear, asking questions, putting doubt in my head. Could that be me, my memory of the night suggests there is a very very small chance. I can't and potentially will never be able to answer the questions my brain is asking, as it was too long ago. Plus they are stupid questions, but can't move on from them. Outside of more professional help, anyone have tools or techniques they use?Thanks in advance

Lostworrier82 Cardiac anxiety 😟
  • replies: 21

Hi all, I’m new here and after reading a lot of peoples posts it gave me courage to share mine. I’m suffering badly with cardiac anxiety. I had a full check up with the cardiologist back in 2020, everything was clear, had no calcium in arteries so th... View more

Hi all, I’m new here and after reading a lot of peoples posts it gave me courage to share mine. I’m suffering badly with cardiac anxiety. I had a full check up with the cardiologist back in 2020, everything was clear, had no calcium in arteries so the pain in my chest and arm was left unknown. Over time it went away. I have two small children so life went on. But over the last month I have been suffering intermittent chest pain, left shoulder blade and a throbbing pain in my left arm. I also get sharp pain in my jaw but mainly around my teeth section. As I type my arm is throbbing on and off. You visit google to check your symptoms and as a long time health anxiety person is a massive no no but I did it anyway and of course it comes up heart attack warning signs. I think I got myself into such a stage tonight I really thought I was having one and I started crying and hugging my children. But after a bit I calmed down and it went away. But came back in an hour or so. I’ve told my GP about my symptoms and I’m getting full bloods done tomorrow but she thinks it could be bad reflux. Sigh. It’s just hard. I’m so scared of Something Happening and leaving my kids which makes me more down. I could do with loosing some weight and need to lower my cholesterol a bit but I stress going for a walk if I get arm or chest pain. How can you convince yourself these thoughts are just in your head? Has anyone had this experience before? Thank you for letting me vent.