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[ { "author": "user-id/12135", "content": "Hi I'm new to this forum I've been living for years with anxiety mostly it's not too bad but occasionally it spirals out of control, I've tried talking to my family but they just sit there and say they don't understand. At the moment it just flared up with a vengeance because my much loved elderly dog is very sick. It's driving me crazy went to the doctor and he put me on benzodiazepines but I don't want to take drugs too much but in the short term I will. Just needing someone to talk to that understands, so that's why I joined this forum</div>", "date": "01-06-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/trying-to-live-with-anxiety/td-p/48807" }, { "author": "user-id/8236", "content": "<p>dear Gopeel, hello and welcome aboard.</p>\n<p> I can well and truly understand how you feel about your dog and I wish I knew it's name.</p>\n<p>My little Tessie in the photo had to have an operation to remove a cancer growth on her inner leg, just awhile ago, and I was a nervous wreck, all those thoughts that run through our mind are awful, and I presume that us depressed people always think the worst, that's the negativity from this illness we get.</p>\n<p>We love our animals, and in your case and mine it concerns dogs.</p>\n<p>I have been toying on whether to get another dog, and the day Tessie had the op. I decided that I would, and when I manage to have a photo of her I will post it. She's another short haired jack russell which my son had but she would eat Marcie's my little grand-daughter's food and kiss her all over her face, so they gave her to me.</p>\n<p>I got her for one reason and that's when (I can't say it ) I would have the other dog, and her name is Mindy.</p>\n<p>These doggies mean the world to us, and we somehow expect them to live forever, and the thought of not having them is so stressful which does increase our anxiety, and this is so unbearable, that I know completely how you feel.</p>\n<p>I just hope and wish that you have much more extra time with the puppie you love so dearly. Geoff.</p></div>", "date": "02-06-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/trying-to-live-with-anxiety/td-p/48807" }, { "author": "user-id/21739", "content": "<p>Dear Gopeel,</p>\n<p>Spiralling out of control / flares up / just needing someone to understand - all great descriptions of Anxiety.  I would add unexpected / sudden / pain in the neck.</p>\n<p>The worst part of anxiety seems to be living with people that don't get it.  There is a whole section on Anxiety further down the Section listings (past Depression) if you want to read some old or new posts in the same area.  It's a big section.</p>\n<p>Your mention of taking meds <strong>\"in the short term\"</strong> was beautiful.   It showed your awareness and hope to find a way past these difficult times.  Good on ya.</p>\n<p>Adios, David.</p>\n<p>PS   My dog ran over the road today as she was couped up with all the rain and then decided to prepare for a ball throw a bit too early.  Gee, there must have been a car go through only 1 second earlier.  My fault, I should have used the lead.  Normally I don't have problem.  Clearly a case of doggie anxiety to play !  </p>\n<p> </p>\n<p> </p>\n<p> </p>\n<p> </p>\n<p> </p></div>", "date": "02-06-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/trying-to-live-with-anxiety/td-p/48807" }, { "author": "user-id/24153", "content": "<p>Hi Gopeel, years of anxiety, yep,  that's me,  i understand.  I find flare ups so frustrating because you remember yourself coping two weeks ago and then all of a sudden your a wreck.</p>\n<p>I have had two weeks now of not coping.  I still get to work and do the things i need to but it's all an effort and totally overwhelming.  I cannot crack the back of it.  The things that used to work- getting extra sleep taking,  extra medication,  seeing my psychologist,  have not worked for this flare up. It's horrible and I have lost patience with it. </p>\n<p> At this stage i'm just keeping on going. Doing the important things that give my life meaning and coherence. </p>\n<p> On medication this is a path that not everyone can walk. I am stuck on them after years of using them when i was incrediably anxious.  I weaned myself off one medication but an still stuck on a second one. Its a neverending journety to the g.p. and i hate them. I agree with your caution. They do have their place but it is short term treatment with a discharge plan.  Don't let your g.p. give you inlimited repreats with no end in sight. It is another nightmare you don't need.  I'm not medically trained so others may disagree,  but I am now stuck on them and while they help short term, they have not taught me anything about anxiety management.</p>\n<p> Look after yourself. Breath. Get a facial. Eat regularly. I hear that your anxiety is horrible and am thinking of you.</p>\n<p> Take care ,  sare </p></div>", "date": "04-06-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/trying-to-live-with-anxiety/td-p/48807" } ]

[ { "author": "user-id/14161", "content": "<p>I've suffered from anxiety since I was a little girl and have been on medication for it for the past 6 years. 16 months ago I gave birth to my first son and am due to be married later this year, I am completely happy with my little family and my husband to be. I have recently got a new job the first since having my son. Since this change my anxiety has just spiralled out of control. I can't eat, I can't sleep I constantly feel unwell it's driving me crazy. I've tried deep breathing relaxation and all of that to try and convince myself I'm not anxious but nothing works and I'm at my wits end. I have a family to raise and this anxiety is preventing me from doing that. I also have a very irrational fear of throwing up which absolutely consumes me when I'm at work or getting ready for work on top of all that when my body becomes too stressed it shuts down and I pass out, this does not help the anxiety because now I'm worrying about that too.. </p>\n<p><br>\n</p>\n<p>Please someone give me some advice I'm completely lost and feel absolutely pathetic that I can't control my own anxiety.. </p></div>", "date": "30-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/anxiety-is-taking-over-my-life/td-p/47379" }, { "author": "user-id/8236", "content": "<p>hello, oh dear anxiety and PNA ( post natal anxiety), if you google this 'is anxiety a PND issue', it has many sites to look at.</p>\n<p>These maybe able to inform you about what you are suffering from, and your doctor will be able to help you.</p>\n<p>Feeling as though we are going to vomit, this certainly makes your tummy churn, and yes we do talk ourselves into this, it's just something we always do, and even the slightest churn this then puts us into the process again.</p>\n<p>This may seem to be a useless fact, but when I was in the same stage as you are, it was because my stomach was empty, so I braved myself by having something to eat. This made me feel better. L Geoff. x</p></div>", "date": "01-06-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/anxiety-is-taking-over-my-life/td-p/47379" }, { "author": "user-id/26440", "content": "<p>This is the first time I have looked at this site and your post was the first I read. Your story just grabbed me because I felt as if I was reading my own. Life is scary right now and well I'm a bit at loss as well to know how to cope. My kids need there mum but at the moment. I find it all difficult, my wedding is in 4 mths and as much as I want it I can't see how I am going to get thru the day. </p></div>", "date": "02-06-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/anxiety-is-taking-over-my-life/td-p/47379" } ]

[ { "author": "user-id/31870", "content": "hi, i have always suffered from mild anxiety but have been ill for twenty years with chronic fatigue syndrome and then emigrated here three years ago from the uk and found that i had graves disease. i had a total thyroidectomy two years ago but cannot get my meds optimised as got many problems and the meds dont suit me. I have been hypo thyroid for most of this time and the anxiety has got worse and worse so that i get bad attacks even if i get a phone call thats different, going to friends, being taken shopping etc. i had to go to wellington nz last week for my daughters graduation and had such an anxiety attack on the plane because it was too hot, even for my husband, that i felt ill and the anxiety would not switch off all week. my bp goes up about 160/120 with the attacks but normally is about 117/78. i have been told i have low cortisol and adrenal fgatigue which could be making it worse. i was on 18.75 of an antidepressant in the uk half a tablet but here they only do capsules of 37.5mg and that is too much. I ve been on a different medication .5ml but its not helping and upping it seems not to help either? any advice on what to do? i did see a pyscologist and had a medical plan but she told me im not depressed which i know and basically that was it. I thought cognitive behavour therapy was supposed to give you strategies to cope? any help would be grateful.</div>", "date": "24-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/new-to-this-forum-need-advice/td-p/44463" }, { "author": "user-id/5945", "content": "<p>Hi Sooty22,</p>\n<p>Welcome to the beyondblue forum. It does sound like your anxiety has become more intense lately, and we would recommend exploring some of the psychological treatments as well as the medication. Anxiety does respond well to a combined approach, and there is a lot of evidence to support the benefits of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for addressing anxiety. </p>\n<p>Check out some of the information under 'Treatments for Anxiety' on the bb website, which is located here:</p>\n<p>http://www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/anxiety/treatments-for-anxiety/psychological-treatments</p>\n<p>From this page you can also download the booklet, 'A guide to what works for anxiety' which is a comprehensive review of all treatments for anxiety. If you are not happy with your psychologist, it is worth persevering to find someone else you are happier with. Your GP can arrange a referral or you can call our Support Line to find out about recommended services in your area. Their number is 1300 22 46 36.</p>\n<p>We hope you stay in touch with us on the forum and let us know how you get on.</p>\n<p>With best wishes</p>\n<p>beyondblue moderation team</p></div>", "date": "31-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/new-to-this-forum-need-advice/td-p/44463" }, { "author": "user-id/32537", "content": "<p style=\"margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-left: 0cm; line-height: 13.5pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;\">Hi Sooty, I'm Tom, also new to the site and also a UK immigrant!<p></p></span></p>\n<p style=\"margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-left: 0cm; line-height: 13.5pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;\">As the Moderator suggested, I have found a combined approach for\nmy anxiety a good way to go.  I started by taking anxiety medication,\nwhich like you I had to switch a couple of times until I found the one that\nworked for me.  I later teamed the medication with cognitive behavioural\ntherapy (CBT) until I was gradually weaned off the medication after a couple of\nyears (taking care to do so gradually and at the right time, not just because I\nno longer felt anxious - that's how the medication is meant to make you feel!).<p></p></span></p>\n<p style=\"margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-left: 0cm; line-height: 13.5pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;\">Now when I feel any symptoms of anxiety coming on, I implement\nthe skills I learned in CBT.  My personal approach is to actually write\ndown what is making me anxious - quite often this is much easier said than\ndone, I'll often feel anxious and can't remember exactly why!  But I\nalways manage to get to the root of the problem, and most of the time when I\ncome to answer the question of 'how rational am I being in worrying about\nthis?', the answer is generally I'm not being rational at all, and I come to\nrealise that really I'm worrying over something very trivial and unlikely to\nhappen.  So in my personal experience, the key is usually to question how\nrational the roots of my worries are.  For example, I often suffer when\ngoing into a new situation, such as a new workplace.  But when I\nrationalise and think about<span class=\"apple-converted-space\"> </span><em>why</em> this\nstresses me so much, I rarely think of a realistic reason to be anxious.\n Then I begin to think about the potentially positive outcomes instead.<p></p></span></p>\n<p style=\"margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-left: 0cm; line-height: 13.5pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;\">If I'm in a situation where I can't write my thoughts down, I\nuse breathing and self talking; simply turning negative phrases running through my mind into positive ones.\n I know many are sceptical about this approach as far as chemical\nimbalances go, but I can assure you it helps.  It stops your brain from\nreleasing those stress chemicals in the first place; a prevention to go with\nthe cure (medication).  <p></p></span></p>\n<p>\n</p>\n<p style=\"margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-left: 0cm; line-height: 13.5pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;\">As for your other problems, I cannot provide much advice, but I\nsincerely hope you do well on the road to improvement.<span class=\"apple-converted-space\"> </span></span><span style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;\">I\nwould highly recommend CBT to go with medication (when you find the right one),\ndon't underestimate the value of changing that voice in your head from a\nnegative one to a positive. Think rationally about your anxiety, and start to\ntell yourself \"I<span class=\"apple-converted-space\"> </span><em>can</em><span class=\"apple-converted-space\"> </span>do this\" instead of \"I can't\ndo this\".</span><span style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;\"><p></p></span></p></div>", "date": "31-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/new-to-this-forum-need-advice/td-p/44463" } ]

[ { "author": "user-id/24940", "content": "<p>i have been pretty flat these last 6 weeks and last night had a realisation: my anxiety is back. its been 3 years and i am still on my medication so thought i was safe but there have been some signs.... fast heart rate, sweating, feeling guilty, having trouble remembering everything that needs to be done, rearranging the house, avoiding uni work, getting really angry, sleeping excessively, not wanting to \"bother\" my friends and family with my problems, and feeling generally agitated most of the time.</p>\n<p>going to the GP soon.....</p>\n<p><br>\n</p></div>", "date": "27-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/its-back/td-p/45646" }, { "author": "user-id/5411", "content": "<p>I feellike that most days now, does that mean it never really went away?</p>\n<p>i don't know what's wrong with me anymore and what's  'normal'. This feels normal as i have certainly felt a hell of a lot worse.  Mind you I seem to be having lots of concentration issues while driving, I'm so focused on thinking about stuff I forget where I'm going.</p></div>", "date": "27-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/its-back/td-p/45646" }, { "author": "user-id/24940", "content": "<p>hi marley, no i dont think it really is normal: for me its about not dealing with stress properly. going to see a psychologist soon. hopefully that will help! i hope you find something that helps you! </p></div>", "date": "28-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/its-back/td-p/45646" }, { "author": "user-id/21739", "content": "<p>Dear Marley &amp; Claire,</p>\n<p>I can feel any anxiety coming on and maybe call this a \"trigger\".   But when I isolate myself with easy activities (i.e. sleeping, listening to music, washing up - it's something to do with using your hands / tactile) I often get told \"So, are you gonna pick her up from the City or what ?\".   It's as if I must be spurred into action and more stress because a 3rd party determines how much rest I may have !</p>\n<p>Adios, David.</p>\n<p>PS  Maybe <strong>\"driving\" </strong>with <strong>\"lots of concerntration issues\"</strong> is similar to driving whilst texting.   But then at least you, Marley, are aware of the problem. </p>\n<p> </p></div>", "date": "30-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/its-back/td-p/45646" } ]

[ { "author": "user-id/22593", "content": "<p>\n</p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 13pt;\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; color: #292929;\">this is my first time doing anything like this. so um hi everyone. </span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 13pt;\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; color: #292929;\">My story begins in yr. 8 (2006) when I went to a school\nproduction and as I got on the bus I felt breathless and lightheaded and then\nfainted, this was the beginning of my \"anxiety\" attacks. Nothing like\nthis had ever happened to me before so I put it down to dehydration and that’s\nwhat it seemed to be. But then in the summer of 2007 I was doing cadets (surf\nlife saving) and I had two anxiety attacks in one day and one of them was while\nI was in the water. I had no idea what was happening to me, it was very\nfrightening and for it to happen on the beach in front of so many people made\nit that much worse. I was totally and utterly embarrassed. That afternoon I got\nhome and told mum, we both put it down to asthma and she brushed it off while I\nfelt like an idiot. Yr. 9 (2007) was a total blur with me having anxiety\nattacks left right and center. My first 'major' one was when I was in religion\nand I got short of breath, thinking it was my asthma I went to my locker to get\nmy ventolin which is where I completely lost it and had a full blown attack. My\nattacks were varied from shortness of breath to hyperventilating to blacking\nout in which case I would have to be carried by teachers. They would also be\nfrom anywhere between only 10 mins to a few hours. One of the worst cases was\non school camp, I went on a challenge high course and had an anxiety attack\nwhile up there and my weekend just got worse from there, I have never felt so\nhumiliated in my life. I hated it! it was like having an attack for 3 days\nstraight, I was exhausted, they were almost going to ring the ambulance but I\nbegged them not to. The teachers also wanted to call my parents to tell them\nwhat had happened, they did which I didn’t forgive them for. I hated the fact\nthat mum and dad knew. I dint know why, I think I felt they would be\ndisappointed. Anyway through the year I saw the school counselor who attempted\nto help me with \"strategies\" they then also passed me onto a\npsychologist. I felt neither of them were very helpful and the strategies I was\nsupposed to use I felt were just pointless, for instance I had to go through\nthe alphabet. I guess it was hard for them to help me when there didn't seem to\nbe any one cause. The one person I could count on when having an attack was my\nyr. 9 coordinator, I have no idea why but he was the only one that could calm\nme and actually comforted me. I will be forever grateful to him for what he\ndid, he definitely got me through the year. Yr. 9 was one of the hardest years\nof my life. My anxiety attacks made me feel different (that I wasn't normal),\nthat I wasn't in control and everyday that I went to school I felt embarrassed\nin front of my peers. After yr. 9 there didn't seem to be as many attacks but\nthey were still there. I was still seeing the psychologist but I was really\ndoing it just to keep my mum and dad happy. But inside of me I started to feel\ndown, sad and worthless. I began having dreams and thoughts about harming myself, one day at school I took an overdose (I have never told anyone that before) but not with the intention of dying more\nthat I didn't care what happened to me, and of course nothing happened I just\nfelt really sick and dizzy. But those thoughts were still there, I ended up\ntalking to one of best friends about it, I just wanted to get it off my chest.\nAfter a couple of weeks my friend came to me telling me that she was going to\ngo to the school counselor with what I had said, I told her that if she did our\nfriendship would be over. A few days later I was on the bus home when I got off\nmum was in the car waiting for me which was odd cause our house was within\neasily walking distance, not thinking too much of it I got in. I could feel the\ntension in the air I asked her what was wrong and as we were speeding down the\nhighway she told me that the psychologist had rang informing her of my\nthoughts. I immediately burst into tears. In that moment I was seriously\nthinking of jumping out of that car at 100km/ph., I felt dead inside, I felt\nmums disappointment, I felt that my life was not worth living right there and\nthen, I didn't want to have to deal with the consequences and I wanted it all\nto be over. I have no idea what stopped me but for that 30 min drive that’s all\nI thought about while blubbering. When we got to the psychologists I refused to\ngo in but in the end I did, we weren't going to leave, as my normal psych\nwasn't there I had to talk to someone new. So I talked...and I talked and got\neverything off my chest. How I felt my relationship with my mum wasn't very\ngood and that she didn't understand me, how I felt I was a failure, and how I\nwanted to kill myself. When I walked out I felt like the biggest weight had\nbeen lifted off my shoulders, but I found this was only a short-term fix. When\nI went back to school I distanced myself from my usual school friends and found\na new group, I learnt not to talk to them about my anxiety and sadness if I\nwanted to feel somewhat equal and if I wanted the friendship to last. I went to\nthe psychologist a few more times that year (2007) but felt it wasn't helping\nanymore, I didn't find there strategies useful and they wanted to include my\nmum and I didn't and overall I just didn't feel like the understood. So through\nthe rest of my high school years I had anxiety attacks and still had dark\nthoughts but didn't seem too bad so I kept quiet. In 2011 I had a gap year and\nas you can imagine it was not very stressful (I had to have 2x knee surgeries)\nso from what I can remember I didn't have any attacks but this was one of my\nhappier years because towards the end I became close friends with these two\ngirls. I had never felt so happy, included, equal and loved as I did with my\nnew found friends but also my family and I can safely say if those two girls\nweren't in my life I believe I would not be alive today, they saved me from\nmyself. In 2012 I arrived in Ballarat for university and stayed on campus.\nWithin the first couple of weeks I had my first anxiety attack in what felt\nlike forever, and it was the first one I ever had intoxicated, as you can\nimagine it was not a pretty sight. It went on for at least 4 hours until I\nblacked out. When I woke the next morning all I could think about was the fact\nmy new 'unit' friends would think I was a lunatic. I was mortified that they\nhad had to witness it and that next day I had another one. These anxiety\nattacks brought back all those unwanted feelings I had left behind a year ago.\nSo I went to the doctors that weekend and asked for help. My GP gave me two\noptions; either sees a psychologist or medication. I had tried talking to\nsomeone before and it didn't work, I wanted the possibility of these attacks\ngone I didn't want to embarrass myself in front of my new friends ever again so\nI took the medication, which seemed to help. I didn't\nhave any more attacks but I still had the unwanted feelings. One time in my\nroom on campus I was feeling quite down and thought about suicide but I couldn't, the fact that I couldn't go through\nwith it made me feel even worse so I took an overdose knowing nothing\ndrastic would happen but hoping to god it would. Obviously nothing happened I\njust felt a bit sick. Then when I would go out drinking with friends, I would\nreally drink, say 9-15 standards or more in 6 hours. Mixed with the medication,\nI was a mess. The positive was that in those few hours I would forget\neverything wrong in my life and it would seem to be rainbows and sunshine but\nthen the next day would be even worse with all those feelings coming back along\nwith the embarrassment of the night before. So this summer (2013) I went back\nto the GP and she gave me a higher dosage of my medication, 20mg, and it has\nmade me feel somewhat better.<p></p></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 13pt;\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; color: #292929;\"><br>\n</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 13pt;\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; color: #292929;\">Kari</span></p>\n<p>\n</p></div>", "date": "29-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/anxiety-has-ruined-my-life/td-p/47353" }, { "author": "user-id/21739", "content": "<p>Dear Kari,</p>\n<p>Push yourself any harder and you will probably become a mother in law.</p>\n<p>Adios, David. </p></div>", "date": "30-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/anxiety-has-ruined-my-life/td-p/47353" }, { "author": "user-id/17826", "content": "<p>Hello Kari.</p>\n<p>I'm new as well to this, I felt very similar in high school, not as severe but I do understand.<br>\n I had tried to commit suicide, they told the year advisor who then told my mother and it hit the fan, when they finally went to see the councillor, letting down my guard (which I had built when I was 9) and talking  they went and spread it around the whole school, it hit the fan again. </p>\n<p>I hope to see you post on here again when you are ready.</p>\n<p>Andy.   </p></div>", "date": "30-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/anxiety-has-ruined-my-life/td-p/47353" } ]

[ { "author": "user-id/12654", "content": "<p>\n</p>\n<div style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; text-align: -webkit-auto;\">Stuff</div>\n<div style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; text-align: -webkit-auto;\"><br>\n</div>\n<div style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; text-align: -webkit-auto;\"><br>\n</div>\n<div style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; text-align: -webkit-auto;\"><br>\n</div>\n<span style=\"font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; text-align: -webkit-auto; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; color: #000000;\">I am new to here and just want to get off my chest what has been happening to me for the past few months as its scaring the hell out of me!!!</span>\n<div style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; text-align: -webkit-auto;\">I got a new job and this is where everything started.... I would and still get hot and cold flushes, dizzy spells, nausea.......I was that bad a few weeks ago I thought I was going to die!! It was my birthday and I was driving home, got stuck in traffic and then it hit like a ton of bricks.....I went all hot that I had to strip my jumper off and open the window, it was a cold day too!  By the time I got home I was shaking, white and freezing cold! I felt warm but I was like ice inside....my doona, my winter dressing gown and windcheater didn't warm me up at all!!!</div>\n<div style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; text-align: -webkit-auto;\">I have been for blood tests to see if I was going through early menopause but I am not!!....... Dr says its anxiety as he can't find anything wrong with me!!!</div>\n<div style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; text-align: -webkit-auto;\"><br>\n</div>\n<div style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; text-align: -webkit-auto;\">So what is wrong with me?? Or am I really ok and it's just stress??? </div>\n<div style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; text-align: -webkit-auto;\"><br>\n</div>\n<div style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; text-align: -webkit-auto;\">I feel like I am going mad or there is something really wrong with me in my head !!!!</div>\n<div style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; text-align: -webkit-auto;\">I am scared and just over it!! </div>\n<div style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; text-align: -webkit-auto;\"><br>\n</div></div>", "date": "17-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/scared/td-p/42638" }, { "author": "user-id/26673", "content": "<p>I am in the same boat. This is not normal it is anxiety. Can you find a new job? I am seeing a naturopath and do feel better and it has made going that bit easier. </p></div>", "date": "20-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/scared/td-p/42638" }, { "author": "user-id/4450", "content": "<p>I too have feelings like this, usually when I am inundated with my work at the time, but I am fortunate enough that when I am on song at work, I can put it behind me.</p>\n<p>What I do find is that I also experience symptoms like this when I am lying in bed at night, awake and thoughts of my childhood come rushing back.  I suffer anxiety, depression and PTSD from my experiences as a child.  It makes it ever increasingly difficult to cope with day to day activities, especially when I had shut it all out of my life for 20 years, then one day it all hit me in a way I can never forget.</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>The stress will fuel the anxieties.  I find that myself at work, then they start feeding of each other, and unless your colleagues all know whats going on inside your head, they will just think your crazy.</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>I have found the best solution for management at work for me is to tell everyone what I suffer.  Whilst it isn't on my email signature, it comes up in conversation and I don't hide it.  It is amazing how much easier it is to deal with the symptoms at work when you don't have to hide them.  All of a sudden things do not appear quite so bad (mostly).</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>All the best.</p></div>", "date": "20-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/scared/td-p/42638" }, { "author": "user-id/17962", "content": "<p>Hi name is Dave and this is my first post! I have has a couple of \"minor\" panic attacks in the last few years but last Friday night out of nowhere I got hit by a freight train of a panic attack, it was so intensely overwhelming and I really thought my mind had snapped and I was going crazy. I can relate to your experience greyhorse, because they were accompanying physical sensations- I couldn't stop shaking,  I had a bit of a sweat on and I was afraid to stand still. It was only a few days ago but I've spent the last few days in an ongoing but ever- decreasing state of fear. I'm not so much afraid of a panic attack as I am of the feeling of disconnection- a feeling of being crazy for want of a better word. Like you I'm just totally over it and want it to stop. Ive booked in to see a psychologist and im sure this will help. I hope our shared experience can give us both hope. Good luck!</p></div>", "date": "28-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/scared/td-p/42638" } ]

[ { "author": "user-id/39607", "content": "<p>I've 'managed' anxiety for the past few years but every once in awhile it rears its ugly head again. My anxiety is situational based.</p>\n<p>i have just returned from a fun trip to the U.S where I got married. Upon return, my husband started picking on things he thought were my weaknesses and then started getting dismissive. I'm trying really hard to think logically and identify how much of it is my anxiety exaggerating it. It's been two weeks of me putting on a positive, brave face but I can't see an end. There's no improvement. </p>\n<p>I'm so sorry that I may be venting instead of being constructive. I just want to flip out and scream that I think it's unfair that I'm suffering and everyone else is OK. </p>\n<p>I feel desperate. I'm trying to tackle issues as they arise so my anxiety doesn't spike, but I feel I'm getting blocked by my husband. He think anxiety is an 'excuse' or a 'cop out' for my lack of drive/success. </p>\n<p>Does anyone else deal with people that don't accept anxiety? Or aren't the compassionate type in general? I feel like alarm bells are going off that I've made a mistake with him. Is it anxiety or is it really an issue? I won't stand up for myself because I'm scared of being alone. </p>\n<p>How do you drag yourself through it?</p></div>", "date": "21-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/situational-anxiety-feeling-inferior-to-significant-other/td-p/43662" }, { "author": "user-id/5945", "content": "<p>Hi Ym,</p>\n<p>Welcome to the forum. We're sorry to hear how difficult things are with your husband at the moment. It can be pretty difficult for other people to understand the impact of anxiety and it sounds like this is happening in your relationship. </p>\n<p>Do you see anyone professionally for assistance with your anxiety? Psychological approaches can be particularly helpful for people with anxiety disorders. In addition, it might be helpful to have a 'third person perspective' on the issues you have raised with your husband. If you are interested, you can arrange an appointment with a GP to request a referral. </p>\n<p>You might also find it helpful to download/request for information to be sent from the many fact-sheets about anxiety that are available from beyondblue. This may be a helpful way to support your husband to understand what you are going through.</p>\n<p>We hope you stay in touch with us all on the forum- keep us posted with how things are going.</p>\n<p>With best wishes</p>\n<p>beyondblue team</p></div>", "date": "26-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/situational-anxiety-feeling-inferior-to-significant-other/td-p/43662" } ]

[ { "author": "user-id/28533", "content": "<p>Keep getting anxious about the future, everything is so amazing but I am ruining it cos I am worrying with the constant feeling its all going to come crashing down at some point I can't just be happy</p></div>", "date": "25-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/worrying/td-p/44881" }, { "author": "user-id/21739", "content": "<p>Dear Katmorri,</p>\n<p>So you're a worrier.    In the old cartoon \"Top Cat\", which featured various moggies in unlikely scenarios as they cadged food or affection from the local back alley, there was a character just like you.   He always worried.    If \"Top Cat\" hatched a plan to raid the Fish delivery van then Cat Worrier would find some fault or think that \"it could never work\".    Like the plots needs a negative pivot.  Just made the plans more triumphant.   This was around in the 70's but it's the same deal with modern cartoons.  For high anxiety watch any episode of Power Rangers !</p>\n<p>But.................when the worrying's done and the result is better than anticipated you will be worry free or even a bit happy.     Lots of people worry and with good reason.   In the 3rd world the worry would be about \"will I eat today ?\" but in the Western World it is \"will I get that new ipad ?\".</p>\n<p>It's hard to enjoy anything if you're anxious.   Maybe the anxiety, if <strong>\"everything is so amazing\"</strong> is to do with having a parent that forced thought you into feeling low self esteem and that nothing would ever be good enough ?  Maybe you have a sister that is married with 16 children and you a merely a single and you better watch out because the clock is ticking.   Wow !  Families are great at just feeding us anxiety.</p>\n<p>If you can feel valued you will worry less.  If you worry less you will feel more valued.   Sometimes life does <strong>\"come crashing down\"</strong> but that doesn't mean you're out of the game.   Most of the amazing adventures (Shackleton - polar explorer, Hilary - something to do with Everest, Kontiki Expedition - traversing oceans on a raft to prove migration and 800 yr Heads Up to Boat People, England winning the World Cup Soccer in 1966 when Bobby Charlton was captain, etc) have all had disasters and failings.   </p>\n<p>But the human spirit endures. Getting through the next hour is enough to worry about.  Being happy in adversity is a bit tricky.   Try accepting where you're at now without putting heaps of pressure on the next part of your life.  Sometimes time plods.   I have worried less since I decided not to wear a watch 30 yrs ago.   Simple.  And, with a bit of practise, it's easy to still be able to tell the time.</p>\n<p>Adios, David. </p>\n<p> </p>\n<p> </p></div>", "date": "26-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/worrying/td-p/44881" } ]

[ { "author": "user-id/22597", "content": "<p>Hi all. So I have never felt or had this before. After a bit of stress at work, all of a sudden horrible thoughts come into my head that I might hurt my kids. I love my kids to bits- I could never ever ever hurt them!! Why on earth would I think this? What's happening to me? Why is my brain even capable of thinking this? It is the most worst thing I could ever think - so of course each time it pops up I freak out and have a full panic attack. I am so scared what's happening to me right now. I just want them to stop and feel normal again. Please help me. I am so scared.</p></div>", "date": "10-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/horrible-thoughts-setting-off-panic-attacks/td-p/39368/page/2" }, { "author": "user-id/19013", "content": "<p>Hello Donna</p>\n<p>Probably a bit late for this post, however I remember having the same horrible thoughts about harming my daughter when at the peak of my anxiety. It was terrifying. My psychologist put it all into perspective which made those thoughts very very easy to dispute. She said with no  judgement \"anxiety attaches itself to the things you care most about\". </p>\n<p>I've found CBT quiet effective for anxiety and while it is always there lurking, it is much easier to control.</p>\n<p>Take care</p>\n<p>Mel</p></div>", "date": "21-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/horrible-thoughts-setting-off-panic-attacks/td-p/39368/page/2" }, { "author": "user-id/8236", "content": "dear Sare, a good explanation of trying to cope with these 'intrusive thoughts' which is OCD and using CBT to try and stop or ease them. Geoff.</div>", "date": "23-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/horrible-thoughts-setting-off-panic-attacks/td-p/39368/page/2" }, { "author": "user-id/22597", "content": "<p>Hi all. So I have never felt or had this before. After a bit of stress at work, all of a sudden horrible thoughts come into my head that I might hurt my kids. I love my kids to bits- I could never ever ever hurt them!! Why on earth would I think this? What's happening to me? Why is my brain even capable of thinking this? It is the most worst thing I could ever think - so of course each time it pops up I freak out and have a full panic attack. I am so scared what's happening to me right now. I just want them to stop and feel normal again. Please help me. I am so scared.</p></div>", "date": "10-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/horrible-thoughts-setting-off-panic-attacks/td-p/39368" }, { "author": "user-id/38612", "content": "<p>Dear Donna, this must be awful for you. It sounds like you are under too much pressure in your life. Are you able to sit down and write up all the things you are doing each day ? and indentify what is pushing you to this point. Obviously you know some thing is not right for you at this time.  Try and look at what you are doing and what you can diminish  if possible..</p>\n<p>Hope this Helps in some way.</p>\n<p>Karherinexx</p></div>", "date": "11-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/horrible-thoughts-setting-off-panic-attacks/td-p/39368" }, { "author": "user-id/8236", "content": "<p>dear Donna, this is an awful feeling to have, but before I continue, can I ask you do you suffer from OCD, because it can be a symptom of this illness.</p>\n<p>If not then I will approach it another way. I'll wait for your reply, take care. L Geoff. x </p></div>", "date": "12-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/horrible-thoughts-setting-off-panic-attacks/td-p/39368" }, { "author": "user-id/33554", "content": "<p>Hi Donna, </p>\n<p>I know exactly how you feel. I'm just going through the same thing. I just mentioned it to my husband last night about thinking (or the thoughts you have no control over) of hurting the kids but I would never ever do it. I love them to bits, they are my world. It's just so disappointing, annoying, shameful, hurtful that our kids have to be involved in this. I've suffered with anxiety on and off but sine my thyroid episode which brought on more anxiety it's been a bit high over the past few weeks. I'm hoping that this will pass but might have to get some help. Bit confused and not sure like you. </p>\n<p> </p></div>", "date": "12-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/horrible-thoughts-setting-off-panic-attacks/td-p/39368" }, { "author": "user-id/8236", "content": "<p>dear Donna, Karherine and Grace, has anyone watched the 'Anxiety' tape, it's very good, especially the section which relates to the female talking about her OCD.</p>\n<p>I watched it after I posted my comment to Donna, so if you have time it's would be good to view.</p>\n<p>I had this awful feeling as well as for some reason I wanted to hurt my dear mum. L Geoff. x </p></div>", "date": "13-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/horrible-thoughts-setting-off-panic-attacks/td-p/39368" }, { "author": "user-id/22597", "content": "<p>Thank you so much for the supportive replies.  I was hoping noone would judge me for these horrid thoughts!  I wonder if I think it just to torment myself into thinking the most worst thought possible!  </p>\n<p>Geoff - where is this Anxiety tape?  I would love to watch.  Is it on the website?  I guess in a way I do OCD a bit- not in a specific habit - but I like things a particular way, and if its not like that I have to fix it.  Little silly things - how the bed is made, the table cloth not being straight, the kids toys are in boxes of specific types of toys.  But nothing too bad - I can manage ok if its wrong.  I just choose to fix it <span class=\"lia-unicode-emoji\" title=\":slightly_smiling_face:\">🙂</span>  </p>\n<p>Grace - thank you - its kind of nice to hear I am not alone.  Its so frightening.  I see a psychologist in a few days and also my doc is testing things like thyroid to see what the sudden cause of this is.  I seem slightly more at ease today.  Its nice.  The cold feeling in my chest keeps coming.  </p></div>", "date": "13-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/horrible-thoughts-setting-off-panic-attacks/td-p/39368" }, { "author": "user-id/8236", "content": "dear Donna, it's where you login, and it says 'hi my name is Anxiety', and there is a section on OCD where a female explains exactly the thoughts that you and I have or had, as my dear Mum is not with us any more. L Geoff. x</div>", "date": "16-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/horrible-thoughts-setting-off-panic-attacks/td-p/39368" }, { "author": "user-id/28341", "content": "<p>Hi Donna</p>\n<p>The same thing happened to me 3 years ago , I'd had alot of bad things happen in the few weeks to the lead up of my first ever attack , I will never forget the night I woke in complete horror and thought Oh my god what if I actually do something as horrible as to hurt my kids , I have four boys who are my world but the thought came to me and I felt so internally disgusted that I could even think that , I tortured myself over it making each thought worse and worse because I assumed I had become some kind of horrible monster who hates her children over the thought I could even think of hurting them , I did seek help and eventually I learnt to push the thoughts away , just recently it came back , and it came back hard so i seeked out help from my doctor as the feeling of fear and sadness was overwhelming , I am on new anxiety medication which so far is good. I start seeing someone soon and I hope to understand my condition better  so I can stop these attacks consuming weeks of me at a time . I hope my story helps you a little, knowing other people are going through it makes you feel you are definitely not alone.</p></div>", "date": "16-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/horrible-thoughts-setting-off-panic-attacks/td-p/39368" }, { "author": "user-id/7942", "content": "<p>Hi Donna </p>\n<p>There is a world of difference between fantasies and intentions, as I'm sure you realise - think of the weird stuff that happens in dreams. I have suffered from these fantasies, one of the worst experiences of my life. That was at a time when my bipolar was not diagnosed nor properly controlled. Once that was managed, the fantasies went away and have never returned. </p>\n<p>Others have mentioned OCD and anxiety - truth is, we can't tell what's going on. We can certainly tell you that you're not alone, and that others have had these feelings and fantasies and learnt to deal with them. </p>\n<p> To figure out what's going on seek professional help. See a trusted GP, and get a referral to a clinical psychologist or to a psychiatrist. You don't have to do this all by yourself. </p>\n<p>Take care, and stay in touch.</p></div>", "date": "17-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/horrible-thoughts-setting-off-panic-attacks/td-p/39368" }, { "author": "user-id/24153", "content": "<p>Hi Donna,</p>\n<p>I wanted to write and say your definitely not alone. I suffer from the same kind of thoughts , regularly unfortunately, but they are much worse when i am under pressure and stressed. They are so horrific;  extremely violent and sometimes sexual in nature.  I hate them and get so frustrated as i don't seem to have any control over them. They are always the same though! and i have come to recognise them,  which takes some of the anxiety out of the whole experience.  Shamefully they always pick on the same people,  my family and recently specifically my niece,  which is just horrid. They leave me questioning whether i would actually do those things and whether i love her at all.  I loose confidence in myself, sometimes even staying away from family,  and fear hospitalisation.  I also have thoughts that i should kill myself because i am just so horrid.  </p>\n<p>I am learning some tricks though,  via a psychologist and my g.p.  I have put them below.It is a very slow frustrating process. </p>\n<p>Take the pressure off where you can and use some TLC.  Try and gather some strength and don't give in to thinking you will always feel like this or are criminally insane, things the thoughts have told me about me. I know now that they do go away and i am sometimes free of them and will recover, even if only for a while. </p>\n<p>Oh and get some good help. Just medicating the problem is not the answer without a supportive clinical psychologist.  xx sare</p>\n<p> -------------------------</p>\n<div class=\"WordSection1\">\n<p class=\"MsoBodyText\"><span style=\"font-size: 8pt;\">There is another class of\nintrusive thoughts that I call <strong><span style=\"font-weight: normal;\">intrusive obsessive thoughts</span></strong>. These\nthoughts seem to come from out of nowhere, arrive with a distressing whoosh,\nand <strong><span style=\"font-weight: normal;\">cause</span></strong>\na great deal of anxiety. The content of intrusive obsessive thoughts almost\nalways focus on sexual or violent images. Here are typical examples of\nintrusive obsessive thoughts: hurting yourself or others or doing violent aggressive or provocative things.</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoBodyText\"><span style=\"font-size: 8pt;\">People who experience\nintrusive obsessive thoughts are afraid that they might commit the acts they\npicture in their mind. They might imagine hurting someone or committing an act\nof sexual violation. Intrusive obsessive thoughts can be very explicit, and\nmost people are embarrassed and frightened of them. There are a number of myths\nabout intrusive obsessive thoughts. The greatest myth is that having thoughts\nof a sexual or violent nature mean that you want to do the things that come\ninto your mind. <strong><span style=\"font-weight: normal;\">This is not true</span></strong>. You do not want to do the things that\nenter your mind when you have intrusive obsessive thoughts. In fact, the\nopposite is true. People with intrusive obsessive thoughts are gentle and\nnon-violent.</span><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"> </span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoBodyText\"><span style=\"font-size: 8pt;\">Remember that the content of\nyour thought is irrelevant and you must apply the paradoxical approach to cope\nwith them. If you try to engage your thoughts in any way—such as reasoning with\nthem, pushing them away, altering your behavior to stay away from threatening\nsituations—all these approaches will only serve to make them stronger and more\nintrusive. As with other forms of anxiety, your job is to do the opposite. </span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoBodyText\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 8pt;\"><a href=\"http://www.drmartinseif.com/resources/intrusive-thoughts.html#top\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">back\nto top ^</a><strong><span style=\"font-weight: normal;\"></span></strong></span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoBodyText\"><strong><span style=\"font-weight: normal; font-size: 8pt;\">Steps for coping with Intrusive Thoughts</span></strong></p>\n<p style=\"margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 35.35pt; text-indent: -14.15pt;\" class=\"MsoBodyText\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; font-size: 8pt;\">·<span style=\"font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';\">      \n</span></span><span style=\"font-size: 8pt;\">Label these thoughts\nas \"intrusive obsessive thoughts.\" </span></p>\n<p style=\"margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 35.35pt; text-indent: -14.15pt;\" class=\"MsoBodyText\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; font-size: 8pt;\">·<span style=\"font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';\">      \n</span></span><span style=\"font-size: 8pt;\">Remind yourself\nthat these thoughts are automatic and you can safely ignore them. </span></p>\n<p style=\"margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 35.35pt; text-indent: -14.15pt;\" class=\"MsoBodyText\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; font-size: 8pt;\">·<span style=\"font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';\">      \n</span></span><span style=\"font-size: 8pt;\">Accept and allow\nthe thoughts into your mind. Do not try to push them away. </span></p>\n<p style=\"margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 35.35pt; text-indent: -14.15pt;\" class=\"MsoBodyText\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; font-size: 8pt;\">·<span style=\"font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';\">      \n</span></span><span style=\"font-size: 8pt;\">Breathe\ndiaphragmatically until your anxiety starts to go down. </span></p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 35.35pt; text-indent: -14.15pt;\" class=\"MsoBodyText\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; font-size: 8pt;\">·<span style=\"font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';\">       </span></span><span style=\"font-size: 8pt;\">Continue whatever you were doing prior to the intrusive\nthought. </span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoBodyText\"><strong><span style=\"font-weight: normal; font-size: 8pt;\">Try Not To:</span></strong></p>\n<p style=\"margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 35.35pt; text-indent: -14.15pt;\" class=\"MsoBodyText\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; font-size: 8pt;\">·<span style=\"font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';\">      \n</span></span><span style=\"font-size: 8pt;\">Engage the\nthoughts in any way. </span></p>\n<p style=\"margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 35.35pt; text-indent: -14.15pt;\" class=\"MsoBodyText\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; font-size: 8pt;\">·<span style=\"font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';\">      \n</span></span><span style=\"font-size: 8pt;\">Push the thoughts\nout of your mind. </span></p>\n<p style=\"margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 35.35pt; text-indent: -14.15pt;\" class=\"MsoBodyText\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; font-size: 8pt;\">·<span style=\"font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';\">      \n</span></span><span style=\"font-size: 8pt;\">Try to figure out\nwhat your thoughts \"mean.\" </span></p>\n<p style=\"margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 35.35pt; text-indent: -14.15pt;\" class=\"MsoBodyText\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; font-size: 8pt;\">·<span style=\"font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';\">      \n</span></span><span style=\"font-size: 8pt;\">Convince yourself\nthat you would never do what the thoughts are saying. </span></p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 35.35pt; text-indent: -14.15pt;\" class=\"MsoBodyText\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; font-size: 8pt;\">·<span style=\"font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';\">       </span></span><span style=\"font-size: 8pt;\">Change your behavior so that you avoid the possibility\nof acting on your thoughts. </span></p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 0cm;\" class=\"Quotations\"><strong><span style=\"font-weight: normal; font-size: 8pt;\">Try to:</span></strong></p>\n<p style=\"margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 35.35pt; text-indent: -14.15pt;\" class=\"MsoBodyText\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; font-size: 8pt;\">·<span style=\"font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';\">      \n</span></span><span style=\"font-size: 8pt;\">Label your anxiety\nlevel and watch it go up and down. </span></p>\n<p style=\"margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 35.35pt; text-indent: -14.15pt;\" class=\"MsoBodyText\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; font-size: 8pt;\">·<span style=\"font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';\">      \n</span></span><span style=\"font-size: 8pt;\">Allow the thoughts\nto remain without hindrance. (They will go away on their own). </span></p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 35.35pt; text-indent: -14.15pt;\" class=\"MsoBodyText\"><span style=\"font-family: Symbol; font-size: 8pt;\">·<span style=\"font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';\">       </span></span><span style=\"font-size: 8pt;\">Focus on managing your anxiety in the present.\nDiaphragmatic breathing is especially helpful. </span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoBodyText\"><span style=\"font-size: 8pt;\">This approach can be\ndifficult to apply. But if you can keep applying it for just a few weeks, there\nis an excellent chance that you will begin to see a decrease in the number and\nintensity of your intrusive thoughts. </span></p>\n</div>\n<span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 8pt;\"><br clear=\"all\" style=\"page-break-before: always;\">\n</span>\n<p> </p>\n<p> </p></div>", "date": "21-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/horrible-thoughts-setting-off-panic-attacks/td-p/39368" } ]

[ { "author": "user-id/34756", "content": "I have had depression for years, but over the last few months I have also had anxiety. it has come out of nowhere. I am currently on meds for both, but still feel down and anxious</div>", "date": "13-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/new-to-anxiety/td-p/40612" }, { "author": "user-id/30254", "content": "<p>Hi Jody,</p>\n<p>Meds are good, but what else is going on for you?  Are you seeing a Psych?  They can be helpful for teaching you new ways of thinking and of confronting your thoughts, for example challenging the anxious ideas in your head.  When you start feeling \"this is scary\" you can stop and ask yourself \"well is it really?  What is scary about this?  What can I do about it?\"</p>\n<p>There are other options out there, although as I say meds are good.  But meds on their own will never be enough.  Have a chat with your doctor about other oprions.</p>\n<p><span class=\"lia-unicode-emoji\" title=\":slightly_smiling_face:\">🙂</span></p>\n<p>Damien.</p></div>", "date": "20-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/new-to-anxiety/td-p/40612" }, { "author": "user-id/12073", "content": "<p>Hi Jody,</p>\n<p>It is likely that your anxiety has been masked by your depression. Now, a situation has brought your anxiety to the forefront. Have you looked at all the circumstances leading up to when you noticed the anxiety or do you already know the cause of it? You can try staring it down so it has less power. There is a lot of information on this site and on the Internet. I would suggest the book 'Feeling Good' which is available at libraries and bookshops. It is an in depth guide to CBT- Cognitive Behavioural Analysis. CBT teaches us how to control our anxious thoughts. It is worth reading if you have any interest in understanding the psychology of what is happening. Good luck. Medication is important too. I hope you feel better soon. </p>\n<p>Kind regards,</p>\n<p>Alison</p></div>", "date": "21-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/new-to-anxiety/td-p/40612" } ]

[ { "author": "user-id/17232", "content": "<p>Everyday I have a struggle with my OCD, I have for many years and like alI have my really good days and other days I hit rock bottom again (also with my depression). another this I struggle with each and everyday is trying to explain whats going on to my family and friends. It hurts that they think I can just flick a switch and stop my thoughts and the actions I perform. I am getting better at times and have had times where I do think wait stop you don't need to do that and I cut down slightly at that time, other days its worse. Has anyone else struggled with trying to get family and friends to understand?? I feel really alone when this happens and that's the last thing I need at the point in time. It generally makes me more depressed, in-turn making my anxiety rise and then my obsessive thoughts and actions rise as well.... <span class=\"lia-unicode-emoji\" title=\":disappointed_face:\">😞</span></p></div>", "date": "09-04-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/constant-struggle-with-ocd-and-depression/td-p/95882" }, { "author": "user-id/8236", "content": "<p>dear Sayo22's, unfortunately nobody really understands OCD it seems to annoy them watching someone do a habit or a ritual. I have had OCD for over 50 years and I am 58 years old. People tend to believe that we are mad or mentally deranged but how untrue that is, it's an illness that a lot of people do actually have, and it depends on our level of anxiety, the more anxious we are the more we do these habits/rituals, and it does fall under the category of depression. There are certain 'things' that I have to do before I go to bed, and if I can't or don't do them I become very anxious to the point where I have to do them some way, or maybe in a reduced manner, then I feel comfortable. Over the years I do them so nobody can see me doing them, although I have been caught out once last year, but then I had a feasible answer to the person asking me 'why did you do that', so nothing more was said.</p>\n<p>I have learnt to do my habits/rituals where nobody can see me, because then I have the time to complete them, and no one will question my actions. Some people have been successful in overcoming their OCD or greatly reducing them but maybe I am too entrenched into these habits. I have done an online course which did help, but I didn't like the weekly questions asked to me by the counsellor, they were too intimidating especially by a young counsellor. Cognitive therapy is available but it has to be constant, otherwise we go back to our comfortable situation that we live in. Also there is medication which I take that is supposed to suppress our habits, but personally I still have OCD, but you maybe different.</p>\n<p>I really understand your grief about having it, whether it has been handed done by generation only you will know, but the important part of this is to learn how you can do it where nobody can see you, that is in private, it may take a little while, but then you won't have the criticism which is something we don't like. I am not sure whether you are male or female, but anyway try to teach yourself. Please get back to us. Geoff.</p></div>", "date": "12-04-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/constant-struggle-with-ocd-and-depression/td-p/95882" }, { "author": "user-id/18894", "content": "<p>Dear Sayo22,</p>\n<p>I can empathise too with what your saying. It's usually a persons ignorance,to things like that being said, they may not have an understanding of what it is you are going through. I guess they just see that you are in a world of pain this can lead to frustration our family and friends just want us to feel better.If only it was that easy. With mental illness not being visible to the eye it;s hard for people to get a hold of it. They often come from a place of love but just feel helpless.</p>\n<p>It's really important that you have someone around that is understanding and supportive of what you are going through. Try not to take on what people are saying I know it's easier said than done but it will only make you feel worse. You are doing the best you can.</p>\n<p>There are resources that provide information and support to friends and family about mental illness. Try and source on the web on websites or through a health professional. I understand that health professionals do information sessions for family/carers of people who have a mental illness that may be helpful for your family to get an understanding of exactly what it is your going through. Your never alone there are people that do understand. Take Care.</p>\n<p><br>\n</p></div>", "date": "12-06-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/constant-struggle-with-ocd-and-depression/td-p/95882" } ]

[ { "author": "user-id/28294", "content": "<p style=\"margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-left: 0cm; line-height: 13.5pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;\">Hi,<p></p></span></p>\n<p style=\"margin-top: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-left: 0cm; line-height: 13.5pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;\">Well I would like to first off\nthank Beyondblue and their new campaign with Dr Ironwood's Man Therapy as it\nhas made me aware that I need to look at getting some help and has made me feel\nlike I am not alone. I am male and 29 years old and from what I can remember\nsince I have been 18 maybe younger I have had the symptoms of Anxiety.<br>\n<br>\nWhen I read the information about the different types of Anxiety the social\nphobia really stood out and describes the way I have been for years.<br>\n<br>\nIt has really affected my relationships with friends, family and with work also\nto the point that I am on always on my own. I basically have no social life and\nI find it hard to start conversations because I know the symptoms will start as\nsoon as enter a social situation. <br>\n<br>\nEvery day I show the signs or symptoms of anxiety, any social interaction I\nhave it could be something as simple as someone asking me a question or\nstarting a conversation I get nervous, blush and try to avoid the situation or\nconversation. Even tho I want to talk to these people I have no control over it\nand end up trying to hide until it passes. The main symptom I experience is\nblushing and feeling nervous when talking to people. <br>\n<br>\n‘They may fear being criticised, embarrassed or\nhumiliated, even in the most ordinary, everyday situations’ this describes what\nI feel probably most days. <p></p></span></p>\n<p>\n<span style=\"line-height: 115%; font-size: 13px;\">I have kind of grown to feel I was a problem and it was just something wrong\nwith me so it is good to see I am not alone and can start looking into it\nfurther.</span><br>\n<br>\n<span style=\"line-height: 115%; font-size: 13px;\">\nSuppose you could say I am a typical man with this type of issue and have just\nhid behind it, but I know I need to do something about it and get help. Would\nlike some advice on where to start, how did you approached a professional or GP\nabout it. I just don’t know how to express it to somebody else as </span><span style=\"line-height: 14px;\">I've</span><span style=\"line-height: 115%; font-size: 13px;\"> always\nthought it was a problem with me.</span></p>\n<p>\n<br>\n<br>\n</p></div>", "date": "08-06-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/new-to-site/td-p/51449" }, { "author": "user-id/21739", "content": "<p>Dear Ninja,</p>\n<p>GP's can see you anytime so just wait until it suits you to go in and discuss your anxiety.   Sometimes asking for a double session will give you time to release the numbchuckers and organise a Mental Health Plan with its various FREE sessions with psychiatrists/counsellors/pscyhologists/ (?) Channel 7's Prank Patrol with its 2 ninjas that are ever anxious to concoct a plot to prank a friend  (kids tv, don't ask).</p>\n<p>Accepting the idea of help is all you need.  And maybe a small bit part in the sequel to \"The Protector\" kung fu flick set in Sydney.    Most of the GP's or other professional will ask the questions so just be yourself and pretend you're talking to a mate at Macca's.</p>\n<p>Adios, David.</p>\n<p>PS   You'll be anxious if you do go or anxious if you don't.   My suggestion would be to drink about 2 litres of water 15 mins before and then you'll have to go in just to use the surgery toilet.  Or, as most would advise, take a friend.   Sometimes when I'm anxious about Doctor stuff (note the technical term !) I just book the first appointment of the day - 8am.   Then use your ninja powers to grab a seat from the dozen oldies who appear out of the woodwork for blood tests.</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p> </p></div>", "date": "09-06-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/new-to-site/td-p/51449" }, { "author": "user-id/8236", "content": "<p>dear Ninja, that's what I do as David Charles has said, I always book the first appointment, for a couple of reasons, you normally don't have wait long, and secondly you don't have all day to stue over the appointment that hasn't happened, in which you may decide to cancel.</p>\n<p>The waiting rooms aren't full of screaming kids, and there aren't hundreds of people looking at you, which we always think the worst, and then we crawl into our shell.</p>\n<p>The doctor will ask you questions and they weren't born yesterday, they are very astute and can read our minds by looking at our face, or what we have to say, and from there on they ask us something which means a lot to us, and then the ball starts to roll, it will OK, and remember as he says 'You'll be anxious if you do go or anxious if you don't', a very good point. Geoff.</p></div>", "date": "10-06-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/new-to-site/td-p/51449" } ]

[ { "author": "user-id/12711", "content": "<p>Hi,</p>\n<p><br>\n</p>\n<p>lately i have been having trouble sleeping, nervous, anxious, i have had chest pain, and heart beat that feels like someone just hit me from inside out for days. </p>\n<p>Previously as person, i've always been calm, in control, and fairly cheerful. Though lately i have been nothing like that, i feel confused, out of control, out of reach and just in general in panic. I am not depressed or down, i still exercise as i do, but and carry on with work as i do, but i find it hard to concentrate, to focus and i find everything irritating.</p>\n<p>I ready about the symptoms in the facts log..but is this really anxiety? As im writting this, i feel nervous, i feel like my mind is skipping from one word to another..</p>\n<p>I am seeing a doctor tomorrow, but i'd like an input or hear about what other thinks also if this is infact normal? </p></div>", "date": "05-06-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/confused/td-p/49608" }, { "author": "user-id/30254", "content": "<p>Hello Gt,</p>\n<p>I am pleased that you are seeing/have seen your doctor because anything that causes chest pain and anxiety needs more than a beyondblue checklist!!!</p>\n<p>But yes, I too feel nervous, anxious, sleepless, chest-pounding at times, and in consultation with my GP and in \"knowing myself\" these are aspects of Generalised Anxiety Disorder.  I'm also short of breath and \"feel like I'm breathing from my tubes rather than my lungs\" as the bloke on the \"My Name Is Anxiety\" beyondblue clip says.  (He says that because I am that bloke, but it's a true story.)</p>\n<p>So, provided you are back to read this, and haven't actually had a heart attack, I'd suggest that yes you are \"normal\" in an Anxiety kind of way.</p></div>", "date": "05-06-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/confused/td-p/49608" }, { "author": "user-id/12711", "content": "<p>Hi Damien,</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>thanks for the feedback, let me assure you I have not had a heart attack yet. I should instead said tight chest.</p>\n<p>yes the shortness of breath and feels like I am in constant need to focus on getting air into my lungs is starting to irritate me unfortunately.</p>\n<p>I am finding this very hard to believe (the experience) because I have never felt this before, esp the chest pounding and nervous as I am normally very calm.</p>\n<p>is there a trait to people who suffers from anxiety? I am in my early 30s, I eat healthy, exercise everyday to make sure i have a good balance of everything, but yes I have had series of unfortunate events lately and I do work in a very high stress level job, however I have been in worst situations before by far and managed to cope without being so overwhelmed, panic and unable to cope. </p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>Cheers</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p> </p></div>", "date": "05-06-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/confused/td-p/49608" }, { "author": "user-id/30254", "content": "<p>Heya,</p>\n<p>There are some \"higher risk\" groups I suppose, but basically anyone can \"get\" Anxiety and in fact 1/4 people will at some stage.  Being young and fit, as I was when I first went down, isn't necessarily a safety, although staying healthy and fit (good diet, lots of water/sleep/air/exercise) will help you recover quicker and not get as low as sedentary \"f**k this sh*t\" types.</p>\n<p>Self-care is good, and keep going on that as much as you can.  Working to avoid stress and dealing well with problems is always good.  As much as you can manage stress do that.  Some depressions are chemical (brain hormones) but as a fit person I'm sure you know about serotonin and adrenaline and keeping the good juice flowing.  Sometimes medicines can help, and psychology if the \"voices\" get too loud, but otherwise sometimes shit happens and we just go down.</p>\n<p>Check out the men sections on here, and the mantherapy.org.au site for more info on health, and of course on Anxiety.</p>\n<p>I'm pleased all went well with the doctor, and that you are on top of things with wanting to find out more information.  There's no need for shame-job so keep asking questions and demanding answers.  <span class=\"lia-unicode-emoji\" title=\":slightly_smiling_face:\">🙂</span></p></div>", "date": "05-06-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/confused/td-p/49608" }, { "author": "user-id/12711", "content": "<p>Hi Damian, </p>\n<p></p>\n<p>thanks for your kind info, it is really helping me to understand alot and taking more control to deal with it. </p>\n<p>My GP prescribed me some sleeping pills and also told me to go for a blood test which i will do in the next day or so. </p>\n<p>In addition to this, i have chosen to take a break from my stressful lifestyle except for work, but other pressures of life such as soccer since i play in quite a high level, and i am the goalie..which is all pressure and alot of weight on my shoulders. I hope this break may help me calm down a little and settle into it now that i know that i have GAD.</p>\n<p>I now understand the severe nervousness and constant panic through saturday night at a family event was a panic attack. Though i am not sure why i had because i was in my own environment. </p>\n<p>I do want to know, does it all goes away? Or once you have, then you'll have it for life? Cheers </p></div>", "date": "06-06-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/confused/td-p/49608" }, { "author": "user-id/8236", "content": "<p>dear Gt, interesting comment you make ' once you have, then you'll have it for life', well even stage singers, and even Dame Edna still say that they have butterflies in their stomach before they go on stage, and they have being doing it for years, so it still confronts them everytime, the same as GAD, unfortunately.</p>\n<p>The blood test is important because it indicates whether the level  of your medication is as it should be and that your liver is processing it properly, and if it isn't then the dose may have to be increased. Geoff. </p></div>", "date": "09-06-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/confused/td-p/49608" } ]

[ { "author": "user-id/32454", "content": "<p>It is 2 am and I am sitting here with my mind racing and ridiculous levels of anxiety ...</p>\n<p>What would normally be a non controversial topic for most normal people has sent my husband, son and I into a total state of chaos and frustration tonight.</p>\n<p>My husband made some off the cuff remarks and I tried to explain to my son how I felt. Now my son is a trained negotiator within his field of work and is a very good one at that. My husband is to the point as I have mentioned in previous posts finding it hard to cope with me anymore, so of course my son talked me through every possibility of the topic we were discussing. He too finds the situation difficult and told me he is totally unable to understand how I feel but can relate to what I am saying and he in turn makes a lot of sense so I listen to him and try to create  the picture of what is happening to me inside.</p>\n<p>Tonight irrational thoughts in my head have run rampant.. I always have this terrible core feeling of dread, which then leads to panic and all of a sudden I have lost control and once this occurs I am unable to cope. I become unreasonable, irrational and basically just wish I could run away. I hate this place... I hate feeling like this, the despair, the complete hopelessness. What if I never get better, what if I am still like this in a years time, yes I am afraid of the unknown and cannot contend with that thought, however I have a big problem just taking life day by day. There are so many what ifs... I am discouraged greatly that the road ahead will suddenly fall off the edge of the straight and narrow and I am going to fall long and hard with it.... <span class=\"lia-unicode-emoji\" title=\":disappointed_face:\">😞</span></p></div>", "date": "05-06-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/irrationality/td-p/49731" }, { "author": "user-id/30254", "content": "<p>Hello Lee-Ann,</p>\n<p>Not that I was awake at 2am to read, but it's a shame there's no \"chat\" option on here some times.  That said I like that the comments can be moderated.</p>\n<p>Well it's 12pm now, or just after, ACST, so how are you this afternoon?</p>\n<p>Aspects of Anxiety are by their very nature irrational.  If what we are \"anxious about\" were legit then it wouldn't be a disorder in the first place; GAD is about the senselessness of what we experience so I'm not sure how helpful a negotiation covering all the options is.  \"Yes that's all true son, but that's not why I;m upset.\"  It's not always helpful to negotiate hope for someone in a state of GAD.  (I say \"not always\" because I think sometimes it <em>can</em> work as a sort of guided-CBT.)</p>\n<p>Everything in your final paragraph says \"I'm having a bout of Anxiety right now\" rather than being a considered, negotiable way of thinking.  I don't say this to blame you, or your husband and son, but to name this for what it is.  Irrationality is \"normal\" for us, it's what happens sometimes, and that's what therapies and conversations with those who understand are all about.</p>\n<p>So.  So don't be worried about the fact that you're worried.  Yes that's trite, but I do know (something of) how you felt this morning as I have been there before.  I hope you've had a good sleep now, and a few glasses of water: you know what to do.</p>\n<p>You're not alone. <span class=\"lia-unicode-emoji\" title=\":slightly_smiling_face:\">🙂</span></p>\n<p>Bless.</p></div>", "date": "05-06-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/irrationality/td-p/49731" }, { "author": "user-id/8236", "content": "<p>dear Lee-Ann, well I was well and truly up by 2am, but the communication between you and your son, is an important one, and his training has done him well, to be able to talk to people who are on the other side of the fence.</p>\n<p>I don't want to upset you or stir the pod, but your husband's off the cuff remarks aren't going to help or get you any better sooner.</p>\n<p> Now that may sound to be unfair to him, but it's just that we are trying to help you, and maybe your son can have a word with him and explain that these type of remarks are not helping you at all, he may have already done this, but you can let us know.</p>\n<p>I like Damien's comment 'irrationality is \"normal\" for us, you could seal this in a bottle and send it adrift, so that someone will find it in 50 years time, and by then depression may not exist. L Geoff. x</p></div>", "date": "06-06-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/irrationality/td-p/49731" }, { "author": "user-id/8236", "content": "<p>dear Damien, I am curious as to why you can't perform your duties as a chaplain even though you suffer from anxiety, surely there are other chaplain's with the same problem.</p>\n<p>Wouldn't it be good for your gathering at church to talk about depression or anxiety, as I'm sure this would alleviate many people and their concerns which they may not have spoken about to anyone. Geoff.</p></div>", "date": "06-06-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/irrationality/td-p/49731" }, { "author": "user-id/21739", "content": "<p>Hey Lee-Ann,</p>\n<p>2am is a good time for a dog walk.  Seriously.    Just getting away from the problems connected with the home and literally, in Winter, getting a breath of fresh air.  There is something grounding about pacing an outside area, even if it's your back yard.   There's some space required to sort your thoughts out.</p>\n<p>Sometimes I just sleep on the lounge floor too.   It seems to be less invasive than a stuffy bedroom and the snoring level is minimal.    The tactile hardness of the carpet on the floor is a bit like having a car trip and pressing your face to the window as you pass by.   There must be many more ways to calmness.</p>\n<p>Adios, David. </p></div>", "date": "06-06-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/irrationality/td-p/49731" }, { "author": "user-id/30254", "content": "<p>Hello Geoff.</p>\n<p>Thanks for asking!</p>\n<p>Short answer is that work rationalised two half-time chaplains into one position, a good idea, but they then appointed my colleague to fill the role.  Part of this I feel was due to my being \"hidden\" in my 1:1 role which I took on partly out of compassion for strugglers because I have GAD myself., I can't match the public persona of the other chaplain, the extroverted \"healthy\" one addressing SexEd and Assembly classes while I'm in a confidential counselling role.  Of course I could have done both roles, but in the job share I chose the secret one and then missed out.</p>\n<p>I have since left that town, to live with my parents while I get a bit more balance in my GAD, and of course find a new job.  Chaplaincies don't exist in the same way in this town, (in that the ones that do are filled), but in answer to your enquiry I have in fact lead a public forum (of sorts) at church.  My church hosted a regional annual gathering for \"fellowships\" and I was the guest \"missions\" speaker, speaking on Mental Illness and Faith, and generally spruiking beyondblue.  I raised awareness, (and $300), and have continued to do so as a minor celebrity since my face now appears on film in the My Name Is Anxiety and Mantherapy campaigns.  I was interviewed for the local paper and have had a few people come up to me in Target to ask questions.  Since I am known to be Christian (my dad is the local Uniting Church minister) some of the local believers have been specific in their questions.</p>\n<p>This experience has been good and bad.  Good in that I have been able to share my story as evidence that Mental Illness is not the same as Demon Possession; bad in the sense that \"GAD + Attention = Damien wanting to yell \"back off crazy strangers\" in Target\".</p>\n<p>So I could have been extroverted at school too, given the chance.  (Sadly my former colleague and still current friend, who was not the best at counselling, has now resigned, but I'm not well enough to return just yet and so won't go at all.)</p>\n<p>BUT BACK TO LEE-ANN....</p>\n<p>I hope all is good, or good-ish for you Lee-Ann.  It's just shy of 11:00pm here so I'll be off to bed soon and I hope you;re already sleeping well where you are.</p>\n<p>Bless (all)</p></div>", "date": "06-06-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/irrationality/td-p/49731" }, { "author": "user-id/8236", "content": "<p>dear Damien, thanks, you seem to be a very talented person, it's such a shame that this illness can destabilise someone like you who obviously loves their belief and career,.</p>\n<p>Hopefully by posting and replying on this site maybe the turning point for you. Geoff.</p></div>", "date": "08-06-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/irrationality/td-p/49731" }, { "author": "user-id/21739", "content": "<p>Dear Long Time Lost,</p>\n<p>Situations that are hard to cope with seem to need a lot of understanding and talk.  I'm sure the skills your son has in negotiation will help you although he probably doesn't want to judge you at the same time.</p>\n<p>If I understand Damiens plight correctly I would back track a bit.  <strong>\"Of course I could</strong> <strong>have done both roles, but in the job share I chose the secret one and then missed out\"</strong>.  Missed out on being crazy, extrovert chaplain ?  But then you have to balance the Target audience, so to speak ?</p>\n<p>It's all the same thing - coping.  We have situations of our own design and situations that are imposed but it's better to say \"I can only cope a little\" than \"I can't cope, I'll have to kill myself\".   And where does the assumption (that word again Geoff) that we should cope come from ?  Normally an arbitary source like work or a distant relative that never visits but always thinks poorly of mental health.</p>\n<p>The ability to cope is short lived as there will be other pressures waiting around the corner.  <strong>We are on the Cope Train</strong>.  Seeking to hang on as we go around life's corners of unstability and irrationality.    It might be the all stations to Anxiety or the express to Depression and No Man's Land (no, not the ladies undergarments section in Target).   Whatever happens, we are pressured to try and get some positive thinking behind us.  We have to stay on track.</p>\n<p>But sometimes the track is different.   The Great Federation amalgamation of States identified one major problem - that train track widths were different between some States.  So in order to cope with a long distance trek you had to change trains, change track and change your baggage.     State Rail stand up,  you have invented a course in Multiple Coping Strategies.  Tickets please !</p>\n<p>Adios, David. </p>\n<p> PS   Damien, you are on the Cope Train and the Hope Train.  They run side by side.   It's OK to have one foot on each  but watch out for the water towers and electricty generator boxes.  Hey, you wanted to dazzle and fizz.</p>\n<p> </p></div>", "date": "08-06-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/irrationality/td-p/49731" } ]

[ { "author": "user-id/26182", "content": "<p class=\"MsoNormal\">Hello Everyone.</p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">I’m not 100% what to say or how to explain what I’m feeling\nbut I will try my best.</p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">I recently met this girl awhile ago, we exchanged numbers.\nWe have been talking nonstop for a few day before meeting. After meeting her\nfor the first time after we had exchanging numbers, we have continued to text. I\nnoticed that I find myself just staring at my phone waiting for a reply and basically\nthinking negative thoughts about mistake I might have said or have done, until I\nget a reply but then it starts over until I get another text. The worst part is\nwhen I’m waiting for a reply I feel sick in my stomach and I feel like I’m going\nto vomit. I sometime break down into tears with fear of mistakes I haven’t made.\nIt has gotten so bad that I had to leave my phone at home when I go to work and\nI find have to stop myself from driving home just to see if she has texted me\nor not. I can’t stop thinking about her and what she thinks about me, also every\nlittle thing I have said to her I go thought my head and turn it into a\nnegative thing. I know from the texting that she likes me and I just can’t seem\nto stop going into a negative mindset and it is affecting my work, life and the\nrelationship I’m trying to build. I want to explain to her why I have been\nacting weird but I don’t want to scare her off and that makes me feel more\nupset and I just break down because i feel like i might lose her. I just don’t know\nwhat to do anymore. Even writing this is making me break down into tears. </p></div>", "date": "06-06-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/anxiety-help/td-p/49961" }, { "author": "user-id/21739", "content": "<p>Dear Pep,</p>\n<p>Anxiety isn't going to help - all the instant grabs and wondering if things are OK.   You found a great girl.  That's it.    You would be totally crazy if you started turning up at her work place everyday or stalking her but you're just texting and not threatening her.</p>\n<p>Passion does strange things to us.    Perhaps you can limit the no. of characters you send or the days of the week that you text her.  Something that can be a bit of a boundary.   Leaving your phone at home is not going to work as there are a million other phones you could use (or other peoples).   Keep it with you.  Just write down long hand what you want to text before hand.   That way, all your fears of negativity will get a chance to dissipate before the physical effort involved is so great.   Keep these long hand pre texts in a journal.   When you do the final text it will have substance and thought.   It's just one way of putting in a buffer.</p>\n<p>Instant communication with text and phone might be the modern way but meeting up and talking seems to be less anxious.    I can't believe people break up by text.  You're one hell of a guy.</p>\n<p>Adios, David.</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p> </p></div>", "date": "07-06-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/anxiety-help/td-p/49961" }, { "author": "user-id/8236", "content": "<p>dear Pep, the thought of young love, arrrr, beautiful isn't it, for me there's a song called 'those were the days my friend', but it can still happen, 'in the year 25 25 if man is still alive', sorry I have been downloading some discs.</p>\n<p>I may be wrong but I can sense some OCD in your comment, whether this is true or not you can let us know.</p>\n<p>I would just organise to meet up again, it sounds to be more personal.</p>\n<p>You know the Power of Love, the whispers in the morning, listen to this song and your heart will be jumping out of your body. Geoff.</p></div>", "date": "08-06-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/anxiety-help/td-p/49961" } ]

[ { "author": "user-id/24379", "content": "<p>Hi Everyone,</p>\n<p>I go by the name of Joan and I am a recovered Panic disorder sufferer. I experienced chronic Anxiety for over 10 years and sometimes felt like I would never see the end, but I have recovered and have since trained as a counsellor to help others find their path to recovery. I've joined the forum in the hope that by sharing my experience and journey to recovery I can help others here. Questions are welcome,</p>\n<p>Joan</p></div>", "date": "28-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/anxiety-survivor/td-p/47220/page/2" }, { "author": "user-id/22125", "content": "<p>Hi Joan,</p>\n<p>I have been suffering from anxiety for only 2 years, and after slowly taking control of it I've decided I finally want to study and overcome my fears. I have thought about studying to become a counsellor to also help others, but I am worried my mind is still fragile and I was wondering what it has been like for you? </p>\n<p>Thanks, Christie </p></div>", "date": "31-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/anxiety-survivor/td-p/47220/page/2" }, { "author": "user-id/24379", "content": "<p>Hi Christie,</p>\n<p>I my own case I did not begin to study until 3-4 years after my recovery. Recovery is a gradual thing and sometimes you think you've recovered but then something might cause a setback. If you still feel fragile perhaps visit a counsellor or therapist until you get a more firm footing. Certainly you can begin your studies and see how you go with it. You will know when you are ready. You'll feel it.</p>\n<p>Joan</p></div>", "date": "03-06-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/anxiety-survivor/td-p/47220/page/2" }, { "author": "user-id/30095", "content": "<p>Hi Joan</p>\n<p>I only just signed up to a forum for the first time in my life because I guess I was feeling a little desperate and you're the first post I've seen.  It's great to hear you have gone through this and survived.  I started suffering from panic attacks when I was 19 but they seemed to disappear when I was around 22.  It's now 13 years later and about 8 months ago these panic attacks decided to say hello to me again and flip my whole life upside down.  My panic attacks are all health related worries, but now I have a severe fear of going crazy as well.  I've been seeing a counsellor for a few years in which we do a lot of work on mindfulness and breathing and inner self, but now that doesn't seem to work so I've just had to take the plunge into medications.  It's been 4 days now but I feel a bit drowsy and still anxious about side effects.  I know you said medications didn't work for you, but I hope they do for me as my breathing and focusing techniques have seemed be ignored by my over active agitated brain.  I feel a bit selfish as I have a fantastic family and friends and a beautiful, supportive girlfriend but that all seems to be irrelevant when I'm in a state of panic.  Now I don't socialise as much anymore and avoid situations and see my friends less and less...Anyways I look forward to hearing about everyone elses experiences on this forum and how people managed to get there life back on track. Thank you.</p></div>", "date": "04-06-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/anxiety-survivor/td-p/47220/page/2" }, { "author": "user-id/21739", "content": "<p>Dear Joan,</p>\n<p>Those last 4 steps - honesty, stop being perfect, courage and compassion - seem to be valid for ALL mental health.  You can't be aware without those.  I'm noticing there is a sub anxious category in the form of partners perception of mental health.  Do you think it would be helpful to debate mindfulness from that perspective ?</p>\n<p>Otherwise it seems to become \"You're sick but I need sympathy\" which sets of a bunch of anxious behaviour and leads to tit for tat dialouge of no help.</p>\n<p>Adios, David. </p>\n<p> </p>\n<p> </p></div>", "date": "04-06-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/anxiety-survivor/td-p/47220/page/2" }, { "author": "user-id/8236", "content": "<p>dear Joan, I have just come across your post, but welcome aboard, I'm sure your knowledge will be invaluable to many people suffering.</p>\n<p>With this anxiety that you had did it involve OCD, and firstly how did you control it, and secondly if you did have it are there any tendencies still towards them.</p>\n<p>Would it be unprofessional to end my comments my usual way, which I will have to wait and see. --- --- Geoff. --</p></div>", "date": "05-06-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/anxiety-survivor/td-p/47220/page/2" }, { "author": "user-id/8236", "content": "dear Joan, I have sent another reply to you before this one, however point 11 interests me and maybe your answer to the first reply will tell me. Geoff.</div>", "date": "05-06-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/anxiety-survivor/td-p/47220/page/2" }, { "author": "user-id/25460", "content": "<p>Hi Joan</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>Its so great to read your story... Im 33, and been suffering from GAD for a long time... my world came crashing down over the last 10 months where my anxiety attacks were becoming weekly to daily... I had been seeing a councillor and tried natural methods for 10 months... but my anxiety got worse and worse... I had supressed so much over my life - I hit breaking point.</p>\n<p>Im now taking an antidepressant and for the first time in years I'm starting to rebuild my life and I have control... I know that its not the answer for everyone - but its working for me. Im able to think clear and able to see light at the end of the dark tunnel anxiety had created in my life... im hoping in this time I am able to continue healing, practise meditation and mindfulness and be able to control anxiety once and for all.... its great to see other people able to do it and it makes me more determined to be able to do the same. Im also hoping in a year or 2 to study mental health and/ or social science to help others!</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p> </p></div>", "date": "07-06-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/anxiety-survivor/td-p/47220/page/2" }, { "author": "user-id/24379", "content": "<p>Hi Everyone,</p>\n<p>I go by the name of Joan and I am a recovered Panic disorder sufferer. I experienced chronic Anxiety for over 10 years and sometimes felt like I would never see the end, but I have recovered and have since trained as a counsellor to help others find their path to recovery. I've joined the forum in the hope that by sharing my experience and journey to recovery I can help others here. Questions are welcome,</p>\n<p>Joan</p></div>", "date": "28-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/anxiety-survivor/td-p/47220" }, { "author": "user-id/17962", "content": "<p>Hi Joan, it's so good to read about someone who has found the light at the end of the tunnel after so long, because no matter how much you want to believe sometimes it just feels like people are telling you that it will get better just to make you feel better- yet in the back of your  mind there is that persistent thought that its just a lie</p></div>", "date": "28-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/anxiety-survivor/td-p/47220" }, { "author": "user-id/21739", "content": "<p>Dear Joan,</p>\n<p>Good on you.   If you feel brave enough to search the other sections you will find lots of posts by people wanting to have questions raised.  Anxiety seems to tie in many different mental health problems.   Maybe you could branch out and get that wonderful knowledge of recovery out to the BB community.</p>\n<p>For every success story like yours there must be approx 50 postings where life has failed people.  You could become a real diamond in the rough kind of thing.</p>\n<p>I am 50 in 2 days and didn't want a big deal.   Sure enough a few plans were made without me and I got quite anxious before saying \"Actually, it's my birthday\" and taking control.  Even after that there was a bit of \"But we have to do something\" and I figured \"No - you're doing something by agreeing not to do something\".</p>\n<p>Adios, David.</p>\n<p>PS  As a long time bipolar sufferer I think I'd appreciate if these family/friends did something every day, not just on my birthday.  This is mainly why I become a hermit on celebrations.  \"Why didn't you visit me after I attempted suicide ?  That would have been more helpful than baking a cake\".    Vent, vent.  Lol.</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p> </p></div>", "date": "28-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/anxiety-survivor/td-p/47220" }, { "author": "user-id/5411", "content": "<p>Hi Joan</p>\n<p>I would love to hear how after 10 years you have overcome chronic anxiety?</p>\n<p>My 'bad anxiety' started about 3 years ago, I think I have had a mild anxiety but never knew what it was.</p>\n<p>I'm sick of feeling like I can't cope with life compared to every other mother with kids.  I just can't seem to deal with what I think are problems, but are every day issues associated to life with a family and a business.  I just feel like a failure at times because I feel like I should be able to cope.  Everyone else appears to cope just fine with working, kids, life etc. Why do I feel overwhelmed and stressed???</p></div>", "date": "28-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/anxiety-survivor/td-p/47220" }, { "author": "user-id/24379", "content": "<p>Hi Davo,</p>\n<p>Yes and that is an anxiety thought! All those thoughts that keep us trapped in our anxiety sending us round in circles are just a part of what we need to work through. Yes some people will tell you that because they don't know how to help but they don't really know what it's like to experience it. Coming from someone who suffered 24/7 with depersonalisation and panic disorder I'm saying there is a way out. You need to find the right help and the right techniques,</p>\n<p>Joan</p></div>", "date": "29-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/anxiety-survivor/td-p/47220" }, { "author": "user-id/21739", "content": "<p>Dear Joan,</p>\n<p>If anxiety comes up through being in limbo then how do you explain jazz musicians using the structure of a chord progression to ad lib a solo.  Most seem to execute the best solos when they are unprepared and just use their own imagination and spontaneity.  That's if they've gone to the right gig.</p>\n<p>Adios, David. </p>\n<p> PS  So jazz = limbo melodic manipulation over a pulse that is regular ?   A good solo sometimes uses notes \"outside\" the chord but still works fine.</p></div>", "date": "29-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/anxiety-survivor/td-p/47220" }, { "author": "user-id/24379", "content": "<p>Hi David,</p>\n<p>I'm hearing you, inauthenticity is a big anxiety driver, whether it's us not being authentic with ourselves or others. I think stepping up and taking responsibility for it being your day and doing what you want with it was the way to go, but there's also a lot of disappointment coming through. We live in a society which can be very inauthentic and superficial. Every man for himself kind of thing - and look where it has got us and the planet. But the truth is every person is hiding their stuff behind their persona and every person is dealing with this world as best as they can. Anxiety or no anxiety. That's why it's crucial to take responsibility for getting ourselves well and let other people take care of themselves - then we can all start coming from a place of overflow rather than deficiency.</p>\n<p>Joan</p>\n<p><br>\n</p>\n<p><br>\n</p></div>", "date": "29-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/anxiety-survivor/td-p/47220" }, { "author": "user-id/24379", "content": "<p>Hi Marley,</p>\n<p>I went through a long and terrible battle within myself just like everyone else here. I tried medication - for 5 years - it didn't work. I tried a couple of psychologists - it didn't work. I tried ignoring it - it didn't work. At one point I thought about a rehab centre - that didn't work. Then I met the right counsellor. She showed me;</p>\n<p>1) how to start being mindful</p>\n<p>2) how to reconnect with the disowned parts of myself and reintegrate them</p>\n<p>3) how to dig up my deep seated self beliefs</p>\n<p>4) how to change those beliefs</p>\n<p>5) how to listen to myself and become my own authority</p>\n<p>6) how I had internalised all the negativity from my parents, peers &amp; society</p>\n<p>7) how I was wearing a mask I had to let go of</p>\n<p><span class=\"lia-unicode-emoji\" title=\":smiling_face_with_sunglasses:\">😎</span> how I was so harsh on myself</p>\n<p>9) how to feel my pain about all the things that had happened</p>\n<p>10) how to be honest</p>\n<p>11) how to stop being 'perfect'</p>\n<p>12) how to have courage</p>\n<p>13) compassion</p>\n<p><br>\n</p>\n<p>Joan</p></div>", "date": "29-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/anxiety-survivor/td-p/47220" }, { "author": "user-id/5411", "content": "<p>Hi again</p>\n<p>I think this topic has really helped me a lot.  All the comments have given me more insight into my own anxiety.</p>\n<p>thanks for sharing Joan.  Of course I get told the same advice about changing things etc but seeing your list and knowing you have done or are doing this gives me real hope.  I used to have confidence and knowing I can again.  Baby steps right?  </p>\n<p>I quit my job which a lot would say is not the right thing to do but I actually feel so much better that I have, it caused me sooooo much stress.  I'm trying to be positive and think that it will all work out just fine.</p>\n<p>I'm off to see a new psychologist next week I hope we click, I hate the thought of trying to explain me in an hour though!  How can I possibly do that and walk out with some help?</p>\n<p>oh well it's a start.</p>\n<p>thanks again for listening and responding.  Sorry about the typing, on a phone</p></div>", "date": "29-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/anxiety-survivor/td-p/47220" }, { "author": "user-id/24379", "content": "<p>Hi Marley,</p>\n<p>I'm glad the topic is helping, thankyou, that's what I hope for.</p>\n<p>Quitting your job is a major step, congratulations for having the courage to change something that wasn't working for you. When we are in the wrong place with a job it can cause an incredible amount of anxiety.</p>\n<p>Good luck with your new psychologist. Let me know how you go.</p>\n<p>take care</p>\n<p>Joan</p></div>", "date": "31-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/anxiety-survivor/td-p/47220" } ]

[ { "author": "user-id/35985", "content": "<p>I want to no what everyone else has done and felt works when suffering an anxiety attack. My life with anxiety is a living hell. All the things I use to do day in day out I can't do now. I'm 18 I want to go out with friends meet new people live my life not hide away everyday. Any replies would be helpful. Thanks.</p></div>", "date": "31-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/fighting-anxiety/td-p/48677" }, { "author": "user-id/10276", "content": "<p>Hi Dylan</p>\n<p>You have just taken the first step to helping yourself. I am very passionate about this as I have a very close family member with the same problem. I was very proud of him when we went to see our family doctor as this was the hardest thing to do for him. 12 months down the track he has had some down times but the up times by far out way the bad. It is hard to start this I know (with experience) but be proud as you have already started here. Well done. I am proud of you keep looking up to the future</p></div>", "date": "03-06-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/fighting-anxiety/td-p/48677" }, { "author": "user-id/19477", "content": "<p class=\"MsoNormal\">Hi Dylann94</p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"> </p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">My advise would be to get some professional help. See your\nGP and discuss the anxiety with them. There are physical problems that can make\nyou feel anxious and you need to have these dealt with or ruled out before you\ncan start to tackle the mental side. If you are physically well the next step\nwould be to be referred to a phycologist who deals in anxiety.</p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"> </p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">Anxiety takes many different forms such as , Social,\nGeneralised, Situational, Panic disorder and many more. Knowing what you are\ndealing with and how to tackle the problem is essential.<span>   </span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"> </p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">From my own experience with generalised anxiety disorder\ngetting help was the starting point to learning how to deal with anxiety. From\nthen on you learn new strategies and trial them to see what works for you. It\nis possible to manage anxiety so it becomes something in the background. I have\nnever really managed to get rid of it entirely but it become nothing more than\nthe average person would have.<span>  </span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"> </p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">Over time you learn your symptoms and triggers that alert\nyou of a rise in your anxiety levels. This means you can tackle an episode\nbefore it become a problem. One of my symptoms is retreating from people around\nme ( Family, friend etc). A trigger for me is a lack of sleep. Getting up in\nthe middle of the night and watching Tv. Being tired is like a drug and allows\nme not to interact with people or to deal with decisions I need to make. I find\nit really difficult to start taking control at these times as I don’t feel like\nit. Taking control of my sleep and making the most urgent decision I’ve been avoiding\nwork but is really a struggle. <span> </span>If I find\nI cant do this on my own I book in to my Phycologist and get help. I’ve in my\n50’s now and have dealt with this all my life. I go for years where I’m fine. Occasionally\nI slip up and need to get help but recovery times now are very short and find I’m\nback on top of things in a couple of weeks. It takes longer to realise I’ve\nslipped than it takes to recover.</p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"> </p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">Get some help to start with. Don’t be disappointed if you\ndon’t sort things out on your first attempt. It’s a learning process and you\nbuild on your previous attempts. In the long run you will get there.</p></div>", "date": "04-06-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/fighting-anxiety/td-p/48677" }, { "author": "user-id/21739", "content": "<p>Hey Dylan,</p>\n<p>If you're 18 now do you mind me asking when the anxiety appeared ?</p>\n<p>Adios, David. </p></div>", "date": "04-06-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/fighting-anxiety/td-p/48677" }, { "author": "user-id/35985", "content": "<p>Yeah mate I was 16 and now it seems unstoppable I'm lucky to leave the house I'm so over it</p></div>", "date": "05-06-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/fighting-anxiety/td-p/48677" }, { "author": "user-id/35985", "content": "<p>I started smoking marijuana at 17 stopped 3 months short of of my 18th birthday. And I sit there and regret it all because that could be an answer as to why I suffer so heavily from anxiety but I was being a teenager living my life why should I have to pay so severely. What I did was wrong yes, but I can't seem to get a grip on the anxiety which then leads to depression because I no I have severe anxiety and it riddles me.</p></div>", "date": "05-06-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/fighting-anxiety/td-p/48677" }, { "author": "user-id/8236", "content": "<p>dear Dylan, smoking marijuana is a catch 22, meaning that people smoke it when they feel sad, anxious or depressed, so it does the same as what alcohol does to someone, but it does lead to problems down the road either medically and/or mentally.</p>\n<p>Can I give you an example, if someone has a fear of spiders and they become anxious when they see one, the psych. may use desentization, meaning that gradually they learn to accept spiders and even hold them, so you could try this with your anxiety, that is if you know what courses you to feel this way. Geoff.</p></div>", "date": "06-06-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/fighting-anxiety/td-p/48677" }, { "author": "user-id/12073", "content": "<p>Hi Dylan,</p>\n<p>The other posts above offer the advice I would give you. Get as much help as you can from the medical field, relaxation techniques and yoga or meditation. These really helped me at your age. I still have anxiety but it is part of my life and I just keep looking around to see what therapies can help me. Being aware of your thoughts and knowing you can change them, helps also. This is where I've found Cognitive Behaviour Therapy a lifesaver. We often believe all our negative thoughts as if they were written in stone. When we can examine our thoughts we find out they are not even true and this can reduce the power they have over us. </p>\n<p>Good luck with your journey.</p></div>", "date": "06-06-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/fighting-anxiety/td-p/48677" }, { "author": "user-id/24105", "content": "<p>Dylan,</p>\n<p>Congratulations on recognising that you need some help and advise. I went through Anxiety and depression and it was the hardest thing I have ever had to experience. The best thing, although it was difficult at the time, was getting help from my GP and being referred to a psychologist. It was scary to begin with but as time went on I began to feel better and better. It was a long process and it took a number of psychologists before I found the right one for me, but it is all worth it in the long run. </p>\n<p>Keep your head held high and be proud of how far you have come. Everything takes time and all requires small baby steps. Take everything as a learning experience and try to focus on the positives rather than the negatives. It is extremely hard when you're feeling like you do, however it is achievable <span class=\"lia-unicode-emoji\" title=\":slightly_smiling_face:\">🙂</span> </p>\n<p><br>\n</p>\n<p>All the absolute best on your journey. </p>\n<p><br>\n</p></div>", "date": "06-06-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/fighting-anxiety/td-p/48677" } ]

[ { "author": "user-id/22125", "content": "<p>Hi all.</p>\n<p>Ill try and make my story as short as possible!</p>\n<p>Im 21 years young and had my first horrible panic attack 2 years ago. I had no idea what was going on so I googled my symptoms. Anxiety was the first thing that came up. Of course I freaked out because I didn't know much about it and thought i could never suffer from any kind of illness..I was wrong! I saw two GPs and they both prescibed me medication. I read all the information and was a bit hesitant to take it so I thought I'd try without. I saw a hypnotherapist and she was really great but Unfortunately didn't give me the techniques I needed to really stop the panic attacks and calm my anxiety.</p>\n<p>I saw two psychologists and the second one I really clicked with. I found out that I had severe anxiety and depression. I lost most of my friends after school, didn't have a job and had no idea what I wanted to do with my life and it was the anxiety and panic attacks that made me just want to stay in my room 24/7. </p>\n<p>The psychologist was great and gave me heaps of really good techniques to help breathe and relax and how to change my thoughts which I'm happy to share with anyone. </p>\n<p>The one thing that really helped me Deal with my anxiety, which deffinatly isn't for everyone, but was believing in angels. I spoke to a psychic medium once who told me I had this young man with me and he was helping me with my anxiety, true or not I have never felt alone since. As crazy as it sounds, when I've had a bad day or start having some suicidal thoughts I talk to them and ask for help, and somehow I always feel much better and at peace. </p>\n<p>I look at life in a completely different way now, at the start I kept thinking why me? But now I've become a much better and wiser person from experiencing this. It's an on going illness that CAN be treated without medication, you just need to be strong, and I was extremely lucky to have great support. </p>\n<p>A success story with more success to come.</p>\n<p>Christie xx</p></div>", "date": "31-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/life-with-anxiety-and-no-medication/td-p/48547" }, { "author": "user-id/21739", "content": "<p>Dear Christie,</p>\n<p>Bottom line: </p>\n<p>Anyone that writes <strong>\"somehow I always feel much better and at peace\" </strong>when dealing with Anxiety deserves a medal.   And who's to say that believing in angels is any different from the technique called Mindfulness ?</p>\n<p>Adios,David.</p>\n<p>PS   This is my shorter version - had 2 log out on me and I've only been on the site 10 mins !     My 1 Response comes as I am the 24th Viewer.   It seems a real shame that such an easy to understand post couldn't get more basic responses.  As if the other viewers clamoured to see the secret to \"No Meds\" and then were disappointed at the posts simplicity. <strong> Again, do we really need the Views to remind us of this neglect ?</strong> Although I concede that viewing angels might also cause anxiety. Just saying. This aspect (Reply/View ration) is beginning to disturb me more than I thought so that's it for now.  Enjoy the rest of the w/e.</p></div>", "date": "02-06-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/life-with-anxiety-and-no-medication/td-p/48547" }, { "author": "user-id/30254", "content": "<p>Hello Christie,</p>\n<p>I've just spoken with you on Nessie's post which you picked up on the weekend, and here you are in person.</p>\n<p>I'm with David on this, (and that will be no surprise to him as we have met online before), that belief in angels is a good thing if it helps you.  I'm not the sort to consort with mediums, but that's not to say it's bad, just that it's \"not for me\".  But again to follow David, anything that makes an anxious/Anxious person feel calm is a good thing.  (Unless it's shedloads of grog and cannabis of course.)</p>\n<p>Having someone to talk to/with, be it an angel or a mate-with-skin, can only be helpful.  I like that your psychologist taught you breathing and stuff too as that can be even more effective in spiritual people like yourself than it is for others who might be less likely to go for the surreal or ethereal ways for seeking healing and wholeness.  Mindfulness, meditation, prayer, whatever, it's always better if your whole self/Self is involved, including your lungs and heart.</p>\n<p>I am using medication, and in fact my medication has just been doubled (20 to 40mg); and I confess you to (and David) that much of the need to do so has been because I have forgotten how to be spiritual.  I'm still doing religion but perhaps less time at church, and more time \"in the Spirit on the Lord's Day\" (Revelation 1:10) would be a better option.</p>\n<p>Thanks, again, for the insights Christie.  You might be \"new\" but that's two things you've taught me today.  <span class=\"lia-unicode-emoji\" title=\":slightly_smiling_face:\">🙂</span></p>\n<p>God bless.</p></div>", "date": "05-06-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/life-with-anxiety-and-no-medication/td-p/48547" } ]

[ { "author": "user-id/37113", "content": "Hi i am new to this site, so i'm hoping that i am writing in the correct section. i have had anxiety and panic attacks for about 14 months i am on 30mg of an antidepressant, worked well for a start - put on 10kilos with it, i have waves of being ok and not so. im going to Bali on monday and im not even looking forward to it, i don't like flying and im worried if im going to have panic attacks over there as i have been having some the last couple of days. Does anyone just get waves of where they feel like there going to pass out. i never have but want to know if this happens to anybody else? its horrible.</div>", "date": "31-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/anxiety-and-panic-attacks/td-p/47797" }, { "author": "user-id/22125", "content": "<p>Hi Nessie I'm new to this site as well, it's really great though! Yes I do have waves where I feel like I will pass out, I get very light headed and dizzy. Unfortunately for me I also have a fear of fainting so I talked to my psychologist how to reduce the sensations. Before I stand up or get out of bed I put both feet on the ground and rock back and forth on the balls of my feet and my heels, just so you feel a slight stretch. This gets the blood flowing as I usually stand up too quick. I have fainted once in my life and that's when my anxiety got really bad, and I fainted because I was dehydrated and hadn't eaten! I now drink lots of water and eat a lot of small snacks during the day. And the main reason I was dizzy was because of my diet!! I started seeing a pattern and when I had a bad week eating junk food I would be very dizzy and lightheaded days after and of course my anxiety got worse. Another thing I do to calm myself, which may or may not help you when your on the plane, but I find just sitting on the toilet very relaxing! Try to enjoy your holiday, you're much braver than I am going overseas, don't let the anxiety get the better of you and stop you from living a full life.</p>\n<p>Xx</p></div>", "date": "31-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/anxiety-and-panic-attacks/td-p/47797" }, { "author": "user-id/30254", "content": "<p>Hi Nessie and Christie.</p>\n<p>Wow, maybe I need to get a number in my name too.  <span class=\"lia-unicode-emoji\" title=\":slightly_smiling_face:\">🙂</span></p>\n<p>I can't quite say I'm new, it's been two months and 32 posts since I joined apparently, but I'm still meeting people and learning how it all works.</p>\n<p>Yes you certainly have posted in the right place Nessie; and since it's Wednesday morning here I hope you're actually in Bali now..</p>\n<p>I have dizzy spells too, and was having them before I went on medication for Anxiety; (20 mg SSRI).  I'm not head-spinny, actually \"whoa I'm going to black out and collapse here\", but apparently no-one else notices so maybe it's \"all in my head\" and I don't actually rock about as I feel I do.  I've never actually fallen over from one of these.</p>\n<p>BTW I love Christie's ideas of the practice rolls on the balls of her feet, great idea.  See, I'm new enough to still be picking up tips.)</p>\n<p>It's always worth checking with a GP if these sorts of things do start up, so in Nessie's case I'm glad they haven't.  I'm always conscious that I know I have Anxiety (and asthma), but I always report any symptoms just to make sure I'm not secretly developing a brain tumour or something just because I \"know what hat symptom is\".</p>\n<p>The fear of having panic attacks is \"Agoraphobia\", so there's a word you can google for more info, or better yet ask your GP (or read beyondblue propaganda) about.  The idea to look at diet and especially water intake is also a great one, thanks for the reminder Christie.</p>\n<p>I hope Bali was enjoyable for you.  <span class=\"lia-unicode-emoji\" title=\":slightly_smiling_face:\">🙂</span></p></div>", "date": "05-06-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/anxiety-and-panic-attacks/td-p/47797" } ]

[ { "author": "user-id/17826", "content": "Hi, my name is Andy i'm new to this....terrified as all hell to write in fact. I signed up in hope to get advice or give advice about anxiety....not that i have had it for that long. Around my birthday last year i had my first panic attack. i didnt know what it was, i just got dragged to the doctor in such a state of sheer panic. The G.P said that i had GAD. Im currently one two medication: one for the GAD and another to control a tremor which i now have developed due to my stress. Some days i wake up and can't get up, not for a lack trying. I get angry all the time because its my fault i let myself get this way and that im stuck this way and i'll never get better... in the end all i can do is try anything and keep routine.</div>", "date": "12-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/anxiety-i-feel-stuck/td-p/39577" }, { "author": "user-id/30254", "content": "<p>Hello Andy, I'm Damien and whilst I certainly do not claim to be any sort of expert (save for experience), in terms of self-identity I am the bloke in the \"Chest Tightening\" clip on the Anxiety page above.</p>\n<p>Thank you so much for posting.  It is terrifying to \"come out\" and to put yourself on a forum, so well done for doing it and thank you for trusting me/us.  It's actually really helpful for me as someone with GAD to think that my opinion might be worth seeking.</p>\n<p>I too am on medication for GAD, and I'm also on puffers for asthma and I have sleep apnoea so I sleep in a mask beside an air pump.  (Talk about chest tightening I wake up at 3:00am most mornings inflated like a blimp!)</p>\n<p>Your symptoms sound really harsh, I hope the medication is helping you with that. Do you have someone to talk to too?  Obviously (is it?) a GP or a psychologist is a good idea, but I hope you have the sort of mates/family you can talk to about how you feel and why you feel like that.  Many people don't understand what Anxiety is like, but in my experience the people I can trust have come to understand that there is \"something\" and that they can help by just being there and nodding and smiling at me.  Please find someone to talk to if possible.</p>\n<p>Routine is a great idea.  GAD is not necessarily about having something to be anxious about, having genuine fears is normal.  But if you can get a routine going where there aren't any actual real worries or uncertainties so it's just the GAD you're dealing with then that's very healthy and smart.  Don't go getting Obsessive Compulsive about it, but sleeping, eating and \"doing the basics\" is always helpful.</p>\n<p>Keep going Andy, and post again if you want to.  <span class=\"lia-unicode-emoji\" title=\":slightly_smiling_face:\">🙂</span></p></div>", "date": "13-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/anxiety-i-feel-stuck/td-p/39577" }, { "author": "user-id/17826", "content": "<p>Hello,</p>\n<p>I just watched it today, I sit there, now don't laugh when I say this....wish I could help you.I tend to over worry about people every where even when I haven't met them. <span class=\"lia-unicode-emoji\" title=\":slightly_smiling_face:\">🙂</span> I really admire it when people get up and are able to tell their story, I find it inspiring <span class=\"lia-unicode-emoji\" title=\":slightly_smiling_face:\">🙂</span> </p>\n<p>I cant watch the news anymore without being worried about the world, it sucks. I cant sleep and worst of all nightmares, very vivid nightmares. most people I've been around tell me to get over it...I see help regularly sort of...</p>\n<p>I learnt from a very young age to bottle up my problems. its hard to openly talk but I'm trying. </p>\n<p>Thank you for responding it means a lot. <span class=\"lia-unicode-emoji\" title=\":slightly_smiling_face:\">🙂</span> </p></div>", "date": "30-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/anxiety-i-feel-stuck/td-p/39577" }, { "author": "user-id/30254", "content": "<p>Hello Andy,</p>\n<p>Good to know that you're around and want to help me!!!!  It's always nice when people show care.</p>\n<p>There's a new page open today at <a href=\"http://mantherapy.org.au/\" style=\"font-size: 0.8125em; line-height: 1.38462;\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">http://mantherapy.org.au/</a> and again I'm on there as a talking head, but the point is not what an amazing media star I am (joke) but that there's a focus on blokes and how we don't like to talk.  Even I, who has now been on two campaigns, still find it hard to open up to people about how I feel.  The camera and the film crew didn't judge, but the knob across the table might.  <span class=\"lia-unicode-emoji\" title=\":disappointed_face:\">😞</span></p>\n<p>Bottling up is no good, we know this, you as well.  I get what you're saying about the news too, but at least (a positive) you are concerned for the people/stories you see rather than the more self-indulgent \"the world is going to hell in a handcart and I'm losing hope in everything\".  That you are compassionate shows that you are hopeful too.</p>\n<p>Thanks for chatting, sorry it took me a week to find your story again, I'm on here because I'm not well myself and sometimes \"not well\" means \"not online.\"  That I'm here today is therefore a good thing..Yay!  <span class=\"lia-unicode-emoji\" title=\":slightly_smiling_face:\">🙂</span></p></div>", "date": "05-06-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/anxiety-i-feel-stuck/td-p/39577" } ]

[ { "author": "user-id/15992", "content": "<p>Hello,</p>\n<p>I am new to this thread and new to the thought that I may actually be suffering Anxiety, I'm not sure... I don't want to think I am because then I feel so selfish. My life is fine, I have a job with 40 hours a week, I have a boyfriend a house together... but can't shake it this unsecure feeling, like everything needs to be improved. </p>\n<p> A few years ago I went to my doctor with heart problems, well what I thought was heart problems. When ever I played netball and I ever got upset or angry at my performance in a game I would start yawning constantly, which would then grow into short of breath, my heart would race, my chest would tighten and I would become dizzy. I went to my doctor, test after test all situated around me maybe having an undiagnosable heart problem. I got annoyed and never went back. I have now quit netball, but sometimes suffer this same feeling out of nowhere.</p>\n<p> A couple years later, I then started a job which required me to work everyday for a whole month. As I did, a headache swept over me and everyday since I have had a constant headache everyday, my jaw is stiff, my neck is always sore (especially a small lump on my neck, which has been checked out and said it's \"normal\") and my shoulders are always tense. Especially behind my eyes and jaw (which is when I got glasses) After more tests, the doctor said.. \"It's stress you have to quit your job\". Which I find absurd because then ILL HAVE MORE STRESS, so once again, I gave up on the doctor.</p>\n<p>I worry about money, all the time. I only ever keep a job for a year because I strive to find a job with better pay, better security, something \"normal\". I am constantly looking for more security and stability and it's frustrating. I want to be more, do more, earn more and I just feel like I'm never good enough. My boyfriend says I'm being silly because I always feel guilty I can't put more money, time and effort into our life together. but I just feel he is dissapointed. I have this same problem with my family. My dad recently lost his job and they were really struggling and I felt helpless! I just want to help everyone! I want to be able to support my boyfriend, support my parents, support my siblings, then I'll be happy.</p>\n<p> I have good days though, not everyday I feel like this. I do everyday have a headache but I feel good most days. usually these days come after I apply for a few jobs, do the dishes, save some money or just do something that makes me feel secure. I am not sure if I am just being over-reactive.. hormonal? </p>\n<p>I have thought about Yoga, Pilates... but I just don't have the time - or is that just an excuse? </p>\n<p>I just don't know. Can anyone help?</p></div>", "date": "17-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/i-just-don-t-know/td-p/42412" }, { "author": "user-id/30254", "content": "<p>Hello Akitan,</p>\n<p>Thanks for sharing. <span class=\"lia-unicode-emoji\" title=\":slightly_smiling_face:\">🙂</span></p>\n<p>You must never think that Anxiety is selfishness.  It can have that sort of cause, and indeed it can look like that, but in most cases Anxiety is either a response to a poor life situation (which you think doesn't appear to be you), or bad chemistry in your brain.  We don't think any worse of diabetic people for being low in insulin, even though that can make them moody, so why should we think less of people with low serotonin?  Maybe that is you, and if it is then it can be treated medically.</p>\n<p>It sounds as though your doctor was not the most helpful when you went after your netball issues.  I am sorry to read that.  My doctor is great but I know some who aren't, and sadly I know people who experience Depression and Anxiety whose doctors are very unhelpful.  I hope you find/found a better doctor.  Some of your symptoms are familiar to me, I am an umpire in my local AFL league, and I am also the \"I am the tightening of your chest\" man on the new beyondblue films.  Everything you describe, even the tight jaw, is familiar to me as \"normal\" (that is to say clinical) Generalised Anxiety Disorder.</p>\n<p>Find a doctor, and keep going until you find one who can hep you. There is medication available, as well as Psychology (to train you in new ways of thinking) and simple (to do) lifestyle advice like sleep and vitamins and proper balanced diet.  There are many things which might help you but it is best to find a GP to help you find and implement the right ones for you.  Yoga and pilates may very well help, so find the time to be good to yourself.</p>\n<p>Bless,</p>\n<p>Damien.</p></div>", "date": "20-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/i-just-don-t-know/td-p/42412" } ]

[ { "author": "user-id/8735", "content": "For me, daily life can be really hard. Simple things like running a household, cooking for my man, getting to work on time, getting to work at all some times, getting a good nights rest, making time to exercise if I have the energy for it, all this is sometimes just too overwhelming for me.The pit in in stomach, the tightness in my throat, irritibility, nausea, tingles down my arm, pain in my chest, constant thoughts- life isnt supposed to be like this is it? I've been doing some soul searching the last few years- trying to unravel why I feel this way, what caused it, when it began and can I fix it??? Im a 28 year old woman. Ive been through alot in my short time already. From growing up in an abusive household, to having eating disorders in my teens, OCD in my teens, which I managed to talk myself out of, being used and abused by boys and then feeling more down for gaining a reputation, being it hurts me to type this-but technically raped more than once, then having a shit relationship from 19-25yrs old where allowed myself to be emotionally and mentally abused to the point I didnt recognise myself anymore, and am still healing alot of these wounds..... Did i forget to mention drug use from 19years, even until now sporatically-but i dont enjoy it. I dont want to stress over simple things anymore that dont matter. I dont want to have a panic attack and have no idea why, i dont want my heart to ache and have no idea why-yet think about it so much that I cant stop worrying about it and then it aches more...... I dont want to sleep separately to my partner, because im such a light sleeper he wakes me up rolling over..... I want to be free or myself.... Can anyone recognise themself in my story?</div>", "date": "20-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/life-isnt-supposed-to-be-this-hard-is-it/td-p/43416" }, { "author": "user-id/43269", "content": "<p>I wasn't abused and i didn't use drugs. I have panic attacks and feel exactly how you describe. I have lots of people in my life but no one other than close family to spend time with. I live at home and work is 3 blocks away. I don't see much point in everyday   activities and struggle to enjoy anything that i used to enjoy doing. There  are so many things i want to do but lose the motivation as soon as i think of doing it or always find excuses not to do things, leaving me stuck at home with my parents. I was picked on at school and struggled at school because of it. I left high school during year 9. I have not had any good relationships with males, they end up using me for sex or blaming everything on me even though it is their problem. I don't know what to do but want to beat this and be free again.</p></div>", "date": "20-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/life-isnt-supposed-to-be-this-hard-is-it/td-p/43416" } ]

[ { "author": "user-id/13295", "content": "Hi all, this is my first time into such a forum. I've suffered anxiety and depression for most of my life. It seems to come and go and changes the way it hits me each time. It's got me to a point where I don't know what's going on anymore. Right now I feel I couldn't get any lower. I feel very much alone in my despair. I feel so frightened of myself and my thoughts and can't deal with anything right now. I'm taking medication and it doesn't seem to be helping at all. I can't stand this place I'm in, I stay home because I don't want to see anyone. Although I do walk everyday, sometimes 4 times a day just to keep negative thoughts at bay, though today I can't even do that! I am going back to my GP to see what can be done. I can't even pinpoint reasons for this, it's like those close to me want to know a cause and I am at a loss, instead I feel like I am pushing everyone away or just don't say anything because it's easier to lie but then the uncontrollable sadness makes lying impossible. I'm lost and don't know who I am anymore... how can anyone understand if I don't??</div>", "date": "15-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/not-sure-at-all/td-p/41424" }, { "author": "user-id/8236", "content": "<p>dear Tara, it's a natural question people always ask you, 'why are you depressed, you have everything you need', but how the hell do we know, if we did know why, then the problem could be resolved straight away.</p>\n<p>People get annoyed with us which only accentuates our depression, so we go deeper and deeper into the black hole.</p>\n<p>When you see your doctor ask them for a referral to see a psychologist, where you can have 10 free visits, which most times is never enough, but it's a start.</p>\n<p>I would click onto 'resources' at the top of this page and get BB to send you out all the information they have on all the different types of depression, how to cope, suggestions etc. it's all free, but very good.</p>\n<p>Sometimes when people read all the posts and comments here on this site, it may trigger a positive reaction. Let us know how you get on with your doctor. L Geoff. x</p></div>", "date": "16-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/not-sure-at-all/td-p/41424" }, { "author": "user-id/21739", "content": "<p>Dear Tara,</p>\n<p>The walking is good.  Plenty of fresh air to wipe out the negatives.   But if you can't do it what's the alternative ?    If you stay home you might feel that you \"should\" be doing something.   If a friend calls for a social it might be good for you to connect when feeling so down.  So, what can you do ?</p>\n<p>You know what, stuff the people that feel you should explain why you feel the way you do.    There's no need to explain.  Depression doesn't come with a hand book.  Anyone really concerned would probably either come over or offer some help when you're up for it.     I've got a couple of friends I never see but I know I can email with thoughts and they ALWAYS write back.  It's great support.  Even an old counsellor lets me send him my drivel and he'll occasionally respond.</p>\n<p>If you're feeling a pressure to find out WHY or HOW or WHEN or WHETHER then maybe this is what is confusing you the most.   Trying to get by is better.   Little steps.   Be honest with yourself - accept the anxiety &amp; depression without having to schedule a million appointments to prove you are really sick.</p>\n<p>Try a much shorter walk.  Around the garden.  Around the block.   You now, just break the relentless <strong>\"I can't stand this place I'm in\"</strong> a little.   I stay home because I work at home but I am also staying home, like you, <strong>\"because I don't want to see anyone\".</strong>    Whatever works.   Slowly, slowly, slowly.</p>\n<p>Adios, David. </p>\n<p> </p>\n<p> </p>\n<p> </p>\n<p> </p>\n<p> </p></div>", "date": "16-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/not-sure-at-all/td-p/41424" }, { "author": "user-id/13295", "content": "<p>Thanks Geoff and David for your responses, my GP was great, and said not to take the medication for now and has scheduled a meeting with a psychologist and will work from there. </p>\n<p>I hear what you're saying David, over the years I've got sick of trying to defend myself... and that accentuates everything so it's better to remain silent. Maybe it is true that searching for a REASON is what's confusing me. Right now today I feel like I am coping, I do believe the medication was making things worse. </p>\n<p>Thank you both, I do so appreciate your responses and I've read more of the resources, will keep walking  and wait for my assessment see what happens and go from there. Thanks for listening <span class=\"lia-unicode-emoji\" title=\":slightly_smiling_face:\">🙂</span></p></div>", "date": "19-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/not-sure-at-all/td-p/41424" } ]

[ { "author": "user-id/22304", "content": "Another sleeplessness night worrying about all the things I have done wrong and all the things I have to remember to do. I am new to BB and am not sure what to expect. I exist day to day hiding my anxiety from my family. I don’t have to hide it from my friends because I don’t have any. I volunteer at a day respite centre 2 days a week and am trying to find a job in this industry. I manage to hide by doing the absolute necessary things and that’s all. I am lost and don’t know how to get out of the labyrinth of my mind.</div>", "date": "26-04-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/sleeplessness/td-p/98509" }, { "author": "user-id/39444", "content": "<p>It may help to, when going to bed, write down all those things you've \"done wrong\" and the things you need to remember to do, so you can look at it in the morning.  That may help give you the sense of having \"dealt with\" those issues (after all, there's nothing you can do about them right now, so you might as well leave them till tomorrow), so that you can forget about them while you try to sleep.<br>\n<br>\nIn my experience, the \"labyrinth of the mind\" tends to go away by itself when you fill up your day with (agreeable) activities.<br>\n<br>\nIs there anything that inspires you, motivates you?  I tend to want to jump up and conduct an orchestra or something when I hear Grieg.</p></div>", "date": "08-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/sleeplessness/td-p/98509" }, { "author": "user-id/33691", "content": "<p>Hi Kaniva,</p>\n<p>Not sleeping is very debilitating, and it definitely effects the next day. I personally love the rainforests and the ocean, so I bought 2 CD's - Kakadu Dreams and Ocean Dreams, which I play when I turn off the light. I imagine myself walking on the beach or walking in the forest and the sounds from the CD's put me to sleep. Unfortunately not for too long, but I do get a few hours.</p>\n<p>Hope you're going OK, stay strong.</p></div>", "date": "08-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/sleeplessness/td-p/98509" }, { "author": "user-id/16236", "content": "<p>Just learned today in a course for anxiety a some really good tips. Close your eyes and imagine you're standing in a beautiful forest surrounded by a mist. Give the mist a colour and then slowly breath it in. 1st breath will fill your head neck arms and shoulders. The second breath will fill your chest. The 3rd your stomach and hips and the 4th your legs. Do this as slowly as you can and it will calm you down and hopefully you will get some sleep! Writing your worries and putting them in a jar and talking to a doll if you have one or teddy or any stuffed toy hopefully will help.Also writing down What If?? Fears like ask yourself What If??And writing down the first thing that comes to mind is really helpful. Usually we go into catastrophic thinking imagining that the very worse thing we can imagine is going to happen. And it probably won't! Have you tried going to a psychologist? It would probably help you enormously as most are very skilled at knowing just how to help with anxiety. </p>\n<p><br>\n</p></div>", "date": "17-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/sleeplessness/td-p/98509" }, { "author": "user-id/8670", "content": "<p>Kaniva, I too have spent many sleepless nights.with my mind full of the \"if only\" and \"I should've\" and all the things I planned to say to people.  Hundreds of scenarios would run through my head of possible outcomes (all catastrophic) of events to come.  </p>\n<p>These days I have a little mantra \"Night time is for sleeping, daytime is for thinking\".  When I go to bed now I start by doing some deep breathing and imagine warmth traveling into my hands with each breath.  Before too long I'm asleep.  I think any distraction is good just to keep the brain from thinking.  I think it's just a matter of re-training the brain to be calm and not over-active.</p>\n<p> </p></div>", "date": "17-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/sleeplessness/td-p/98509" } ]

[ { "author": "user-id/1366", "content": "<p>The other day I had a lightbulb moment and thought I would write in my journal about my life, starting from when I was a baby. I thought of doing this because I wanted to see where my anxiety and depression stemmed from....all I can say is wow....I didn't realise how angry I was until I started writing!!! I haven't finished writing yet, I only got up to 6th grade. I realised I hold a lot of anger and resentment towards all of my parents (inc. step parents) for their lack of parenting, rejection, selfishness and instability. I know you get to a point where you need to take responsibility for yourself, but what I want to know is how you move on from the anger and resentment. In no way can I talk to my parents about it, they are not people you can just sit down and have a civilised conversation with. I believe my parents failed me and my siblings in so many ways. My mother and step-father turned us against our father, allowed very very 'untrustworthy' adults into our lives, kicked us out on our own when we were young, when they met new 'partners' they would just up and leave, told especially me that I was going to fail in life and that I wasn't very bright....the list goes on and on and on. </p>\n<p>Is there anyone out there who experienced this? What did you do to move on from it (if you have)? </p>\n<p>I would appreciate any input, because I dont want to bring children into the world if I am just going to repeat what my parents did. I feel so jealous when I see people who have amazing parents who do anything for them....I have never ever had that. While it has made me a stronger person for it and independant, it has also caused a great deal of anxiety and depression.</p>\n<p>I will get back to writing my memoirs in the hopes at least I can address the issues...but any advice would be welcome <span class=\"lia-unicode-emoji\" title=\":slightly_smiling_face:\">🙂</span></p>\n<p>Thanks for reading!</p></div>", "date": "15-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/anxiety-depression-stemming-from-parenting-or-lack-of/td-p/41272" }, { "author": "user-id/16236", "content": "<p>I know where you're coming from!</p>\n<p>Writing a letter to everyone you have an issue with really gets all those feelings of anger and pain right out of you  and then burning it works well.And just picking up the phone and imagining whoever you have an issue with is there on the other end of the line works really well too! Really let fly and say all the things you've always wanted to say to them. If you drive write their names on your tires and then go through all the much you can find. Or write their names on the bottom of your shoes and grind your feet into the dirt! But my favorite would have to be to either write their names on a piece of paper or photocopy a photo of them and then go to the bathroom and tear it up into tiny pieces with all the anger you feel at them. And then use the toilet! Or go to a large shopping mall like Westfield and tear up the photo or piece of paper with their names on it in each toilet in the shopping mall. And then imagine what people are on it all day long. It might be a bit off but it worked for me! And for anxiety imagine you're in a beautiful forest surrounded by mist. Give the mist a colour and then breathe it in so that with the first breath it fills your head neck and shoulders and arms. The 2nd breath fills your chest and the 3rd breath fills your stomach and hips and the 4th your legs. Do this very slowly breathing slowly.  Good luck! I hope these work for you!! They really work for me so I'm hoping they'll work for you!</p></div>", "date": "17-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/anxiety-depression-stemming-from-parenting-or-lack-of/td-p/41272" } ]

[ { "author": "user-id/7953", "content": "<p>Does anyone else have this problem? it's driving me crazy cause i'm living with a lot of fear.</p>\n<p>I hope someone can help or know someone who can help me.</p></div>", "date": "15-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/health-anxiety/td-p/41146" }, { "author": "user-id/13331", "content": "<p>Hi there,</p>\n<p>I suffer from health anxiety also but I feel my case is mild and have managed to research some techniques over the Internet to help me. I don't know exactly what your fear is, is it a fear of everything to do with your health or just certain things. </p>\n<p>I could type lots about myself and what I do to manage things. With myself, I have a fear of cancer. Mainly Breast Cancer. I have had a small family history of BC (which had a good outcome) &amp; with all the publicity about it all the time it does make me rather anxious at times. I now manage my anxiety as best as I can with the things I have taught myself.</p>\n<p>One thing I did come across in my research is this and I try to remind myself of it.</p>\n<p>\"if you accept uncertainty you worries will go away but if you don't accept uncertainty your worries will stay\". We have to be at peace with what we don't no and some things are out of our control. I certainly know its hard but when you can put in place some management techniques your anxiety should ease.</p>\n<p>I have accepted that I don't think I will ever be free of getting anxious over health things to me now its how I manage it is what's important to me. I would wind myself up trying to make the thoughts totally go away and they never would so for me it's management.</p>\n<p>good luck with it let me know how you go.</p></div>", "date": "16-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/health-anxiety/td-p/41146" }, { "author": "user-id/38084", "content": "<p>I haven't heard of sound therapy before but it sounds plausible. <a href=\"http://www.abc.net.au/health/features/stories/2003/04/17/1835641.htm#f\" style=\"font-size: 0.8125em; line-height: 1.38462;\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">http://www.abc.net.au/health/features/stories/2003/04/17/1835641.htm#f</a></p>\n<p><br>\n</p>\n<p><br>\n</p></div>", "date": "17-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/health-anxiety/td-p/41146" } ]

[ { "author": "user-id/277", "content": "<em>Hi BBr's Anyone ever had that feeling of impending doom?, what next?, what is around the corner now that will happen (bad) of course. Id say for a good 5yrs now I've felt that, for various reasons, something always or i interpret to be negative will happen. Will i get something bad in the Mail?, Will i get bad news?, will this news be something i can recover from?. Will it be so bad that it taints me for another 5yrs..sorry if its a bit cryptic its just the best way i know how to explain it thanks TC </em></div>", "date": "04-04-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/that-impending-doom-just-lingers/td-p/94755" }, { "author": "user-id/30254", "content": "<p>Heya Scotty,</p>\n<p>Doom eh?  Welcome to \"Generalized Anxiety Disorder\", bwahahaha.</p>\n<p>I've not had the \"doom\" for a while, but certainly when I explain to people that I experience Anxiety rather than Depression my simple explanation is \"I'm not sad, I'm scared.\"  What am I scared of?  Abso-bloody-lutely everything!</p>\n<p>But I've actually got nothing to be scared of.  Impending exams or credit cards or operations, yeah sure, get worried.  But feeling blackness descending for no apparent reason and nothing actually around the corner?  GAD.</p>\n<p>Don't take my word for it, I'm not a doctor, I'm just a bloke with GAD, but your story rings the \"me too\" bells.</p>\n<p><span class=\"lia-unicode-emoji\" title=\":slightly_smiling_face:\">🙂</span></p></div>", "date": "13-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/that-impending-doom-just-lingers/td-p/94755" }, { "author": "user-id/5411", "content": "<p>Oh boy that sounds like me.  I think oh things have been going 'ok' something bad is going to happen soon.  Even my psychologist said nothing stays the same and you just have to prepare for it.  Well I don't want to prepare for it.  Why can't it stay the same!  I wasn't impressed with this Information from her, just made me even more anxious. It's not smarter of maybe but WHEN will it happen.  Oh sorry can't live like that just scares the crap out of me.  No control.  So then I get depressed wondering how long I have before something bad is going to happen and how am I going to cope.  One continual thought is my parents dying sometime in the near future, now that is a guarantee in life right?  The older they get the bigger odds.  I've just lost my sister very unexpectedly in the last 10 months to cancer.  Don't think my scatter brain mind could cope with any more life dramas right now <span class=\"lia-unicode-emoji\" title=\":disappointed_face:\">😞</span></p>\n<p>if ther are soooo many people with these issues why can't they find us more help for free...I just wish I didn't feel like a fruit loop every time I talk about my issues along with other medical issues I have no cure for - everyone thinks I'm normal and I want to SCREAM out loud and say I'm a bloody basket case inside my head!</p></div>", "date": "13-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/that-impending-doom-just-lingers/td-p/94755" }, { "author": "user-id/277", "content": "Hi Damien, Marley! glad you guys relate..I've not checked in a while though't i would take a peek. Well yes Abso-Lutely-bloody-nothing, however that's now what our thoughts tells us right?. Weve got someone dying, a flood happening, a storm, tidal wave!, locked up in jail..Zomg!!! and well this is just in one week!! .......Ok they are examples lol..But you get my drift........Thanks. now to just minimize this catastrophe's somehow. TC</div>", "date": "14-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/that-impending-doom-just-lingers/td-p/94755" }, { "author": "user-id/27951", "content": "<p>Hi Scotty</p>\n<p>I keep a useful piece of advice on my wall which helps me deal with this mentality...<br>\n<br>\n- 40% of things most people worry about NEVER HAPPEN<br>\n- 30% of what we worry about has already happened and CANNOT BE CHANGED<br>\n- 22% of what we worry about regards problems which are BEYOND OUR CONTROL<br>\n- 8% of what we worry about are situations over which we have any influence.</p>\n<p>The second most useful piece of advice I can give is to live in the moment. If your mind tries to predict the future, bring it back to what's happening right now.  Sometimes we have to live one minute at a time or the mind gets the better of you.</p>\n<p>All the best.</p></div>", "date": "17-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/that-impending-doom-just-lingers/td-p/94755" } ]

[ { "author": "user-id/42254", "content": "<p>ok so i have been suffering with anxiety for the past 7 or 8 years i have been abale to pull myself out of it every time i go through this only this time its different i am on anti anxiety meds and there just not working i have been back to see my doctor about this but he just says give it time! i have started a new job and my anxiety is killing me to the point where i want to call in sick everyday but i push myself to go cause i need this job i really am not coping at the moment and i am lost i dont know how to get past this i am seeing a shrink and they give me breathing excersizes witch arnt working any more if anyone could offer some advice on how to handle my anxiety a little bit better that would be great... thanks <span class=\"lia-unicode-emoji\" title=\":slightly_smiling_face:\">🙂</span></p></div>", "date": "28-04-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/not-dealing-very-well/td-p/98776" }, { "author": "user-id/30254", "content": "<p>Hi Jim,</p>\n<p>Tricky one mate, you're doing all the usual good advice stuff like GP and Psych and meds and breathing.  I know when I started on meds it took about four weeks to get back to normal, (because the first month I felt like crap, even worse than I had ever felt even at the depths of anxiety), and then probably another four before I actually started feeling better.  Eight weeks!  Even then I still have bouts of \"the drugs don't work they just make you worse\" every now and then.</p>\n<p>So, basically I've got nothing to tell you!  Except of course that I read your story and thought that at the very least I'd give you a \"g'day\" and a \"me too\" and let you know that I had actually read your story.  </p>\n<p>You didn't mention talking.  Do you have mates you can talk to?  Does your shrink actually listen to your story, or just give you things to do when you leave the office?  It's always good to have a decent chat with someone, especially if you can be open and honest about how you feel, and about how you don't feel.  (Nah mate, actually I'm not okay at all...)</p>\n<p>You're not alone Jim, but sadly telling you that is the best I can offer right now.  I hope the drugs do kick in soon, and the new job settles down.</p>\n<p><span class=\"lia-unicode-emoji\" title=\":slightly_smiling_face:\">🙂</span></p></div>", "date": "13-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/not-dealing-very-well/td-p/98776" }, { "author": "user-id/27951", "content": "<p>Hey Jim. Sorry to hear things aren't the best for you at the moment. I heard it's a bit of a 'luck of the draw' scenario with the meds - they kick in sooner for some and later for others. Maybe if they still aren't working after a reasonable period of time (8 weeks?) ask the GP to try you on something else?</p>\n<p>Regarding the work situation ... as a fellow anxiety sufferer, I find it often hits the hardest when you change jobs. With a new job comes new responsibilities and different expectations, maybe different working hours, workmates, etc. It's definitely an adjustment, and often it can take a few months to settle in. Once you're settled (and providing the workplace isn't a major source of stress), work can be very useful for distracting your mind from everything else which barges in uninvited.</p>\n<p>Hang in there mate.</p></div>", "date": "17-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/not-dealing-very-well/td-p/98776" } ]

[ { "author": "user-id/5411", "content": "<p>I'm totally fed up living like a prisoner in my own mind.  I can't control my feelings or thoughts no matter how hard I try.  I take sleeping tablets sometimes and even then I have the weirdest dreams and wake up tired.</p>\n<p>surely there has to be something to control these thoughts and feeli ha of depression and anxiety.  My life just feels like a misery.  I feel like I live from day to day with I joy.  I feel like I shouldn't have far kids, they drive me insane with their issues and not wanting to do school work.  I feel like every damn thing I do is a friggin battle.  Why the heck can't things just go smoothly, why can't my kids just do stuff instead of being awkward with homework school etc.</p>\n<p>i wonder do I just stress too much???? I wish I could just be a laid back oh well who cares, whatever will happen, you just deal with it? Any suggestions?</p>\n<p>i feel like I have no one to talk to.  I feel like am complaining all the time and other parents don't seem to whinge about their kids like I want to.  I'm sick of trying so hard to he a good mother, it doesn't seem to work.  I just want to be me again and I don't know where me went....</p></div>", "date": "13-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/i-m-so-tired-of-living-like-this/td-p/40952" }, { "author": "user-id/277", "content": "Hi again Marley, Yep Silent Prison!...That's exactly right. I'm always worried. The levels change, and the\nintensity changes. Sometimes it's unsettling and semi-conscious\nbackground noise, like the staccato of distant gunfire. Other times it's\nlike sitting on the flight line at the airport and watching the jets\ncome in , a rumbling cacophony of screaming noise so loud it tears the\nworld apart. But it's always there unceasing, unchanging, and\nunrelenting. But I still live in prison, a prison no one can see and few understand.\nDespite all my blessings and  any good fortune that comes, anxiety disorder is still\ndestroying my life and the lives of countless others.  \"Laziness\" is one of the cheap shots smugly normal people often take at\nthose of us with mood disorders. But the fact is that most anxiety\nsufferers are actually sensitive, highly intelligent, and creative\npeople with a lot to offer. Many grew up in homes marked by violence,\nsexual abuse, and/or harsh, rigid expectations. We tend to feel like\nfailures, probably because we've been told that we ARE failures, at\nleast in so many words. This can lead to a paralyzing fear of doing\nanything wrong. It makes being productive kinda tough, know what I mean? TC</div>", "date": "14-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/i-m-so-tired-of-living-like-this/td-p/40952" }, { "author": "user-id/31772", "content": "<p>I know exactly how you feel. Ive been there! You are being much too hard on yourself.You are a good Mother ! You are doing the best you can under the circumstances <strong>keep telling yourself this</strong>. </p>\n<p>You sound like me the sort of person who wants their family all happy calm and perfect. Hey but life isnt like that and when you are anxious everthing is blown out of proportion and seems much worse than it is.</p>\n<p>You need some time for you <strong><em>- just to be you -</em></strong> and to do things <strong><em>you</em></strong> enjoy - just take some time <strong><em>every day</em></strong> for<strong><em> you</em></strong> - even if you just lie on the bed and read or listen to music, or go for a walk or meet a friend for coffee, have a massage or pedicure, buy a bunch of flowers.  What ever it is its <strong><em>your time</em></strong> - dont think or talk about your family or how you  feel or how stressed you are.<strong> ENJOY</strong> your<strong> ME</strong> <strong>time.</strong> Believe me it will make all the difference to finding <strong>yourself </strong>again and feeling more calm.</p>\n<p> </p></div>", "date": "15-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/i-m-so-tired-of-living-like-this/td-p/40952" }, { "author": "user-id/13018", "content": "<p>I damn sure have a mind that just wonders and develops its own ideas, which are far from realistic!</p>\n<p>When my mind gets so clouded that I can't see straight, I just walk. I walk anywhere and away from where I was when I started thinking negatively. I walk really fast, so fast that once I tripped over my own foot in the middle of a shopping center. </p>\n<p>I believe that where I stood with the first negative thought is where I should leave it. That's why I walk away. If I become like that at home, I walk out the house and around the block. Before I walk through the gate, I take a deep breath and tell myself this, \"I'm going back, this time with a smile, and this time with a strong mind. I will be fine. I will get through anything.\"</p>\n<p>Everything works out. Everyone deserves nothing but happiness. It comes in all shapes and sizes... Even through your children. </p></div>", "date": "17-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/i-m-so-tired-of-living-like-this/td-p/40952" } ]

[ { "author": "user-id/13018", "content": "<p>My life has been a journey, like everyone's, I've had struggles and successes and have made it passed them with lessons learnt. I've recently turned 21, and up till now, my life has kept on improving and building upwards. </p>\n<p>My life is a million times better than it was a year or four years ago. But alongside that, I have felt like I have been constantly battling some emotional barriers that have kept me from being content with the things I have right now. I know things are never perfect, but for a long time I have felt that I'm not happy with what I have, despite how far I have come in life.</p>\n<p>For that past year I have been dating an amazing and beautiful guy who I just cannot love enough of. He is everything to me and I am completely in love with him. But since we have started to become serious about our life together, another side of me is just not happy with anything. He is the complete opposite to my ex-boyfriend who was abusive at times, I was only 17 then, and didn't know any better. My partner now is wonderful. He treats me with respect and kindness and with nothing but love. But I have come to the realisation that I have been blaming him for the things my ex had done to me. I started to feel jealously, resentment, anger, frustration, all these negative feelings towards my partner. I accuse him of things that he hasn't done and it has put strane on our relationship. I'm always alert when other girls are around and watch him to see if he looks at them. I'm always on my toes, never relaxed, and cant enjoy my present life.</p>\n<p>Just a couple days ago, my partner and I were at a shopping center and I thought I saw him look at another girl. Instantly, I became so frustrated and angry I just walked away from him. As I was walking I saw one beautiful girl after another walk passed him and thought the same exact thoughts as before. I became so consumed in my thoughts that I started to breathe quicker and heavier, my hands started to become irritant, I couldn't keep still, I was walking quickly, and my head was just spinning dizzily out of control. I had to walk all the way back to the car just to breathe normally again. It had never happened to me before... Nothing like that anyway.</p>\n<p>I started to research about it, and found that constant events can bring on anxiety. The constant event is me thinking my partner is always looking at other women, always thinking of other women, always trying to hide things from me... Exactly how my ex treated me. </p>\n<p>I don't know how to stop these beliefs. I don't want to believe them. I know my partner is nothing like my ex. Sometimes, I think that I will never be able to have a life long relationship because of the trust issues I have. </p>\n<p>My partner and I have talked about my issues and we have started to develop ways to overcome them. I know one day I will get through this. I want to spend the rest of my life with this man, and I can feel it in my heart that I will do everything to overcome it. I am seeking professional help to get through this. It's the fight within myself I have to use to get passed this negativity. </p>\n<p>People dont deserve to be punished for something someone else did to you, and I don't understand why we hurt the ones we love the most? I dont understand why we cant believe something when we know it's true? Maybe we just have to be children again and learn without question and teach without certainty to find truth through our choices? Maybe I just need a blank canvas ready for new beliefs? </p>\n<p><span class=\"lia-unicode-emoji\" title=\":slightly_smiling_face:\">🙂</span></p></div>", "date": "17-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/didn-t-think-it-would-happen-to-me/td-p/42113" } ]

[ { "author": "user-id/3131", "content": "<p>There is something inherent in anxiety that makes you want to fight it. To refuse acceptance. That's what anxiety is - it makes you want to fight, often yourself. </p>\n<p>I have been quite accepting of my depression. I didn't like it but eventually I accepted it's presence. I admitted it to myself. But not my anxiety. I have never really accepted that I have an anxiety disorder. Any yet in the end it probably affects me equally if not more. I am no longer depressed but I am still anxious. I still occasionally have panic attacks. Maybe its because I can't accept the problem (even though I know it and can write it, deep down I can relate to it). </p>\n<p>Does anyone else find anxiety harder to accept than depression? </p></div>", "date": "10-04-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/fighting-anxiety/td-p/96072" }, { "author": "user-id/277", "content": "Hi Joey for me the other way around, Dep i find very hard to accept, I like to be upbeat , although good at hiding it. I find people accept  Anxious better ,but  Depressed is like , I will give you a miss today, your bringing me down dude!!!.  Anxiety  can make you grouchy irritable though I'm sure both are closely Knit  sometimes accompanying the other. I guess with a Panic Attack you know it will be over in 10 minutes with some hope of normality , but Dep can linger all day much scarier. TC</div>", "date": "12-04-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/fighting-anxiety/td-p/96072" }, { "author": "user-id/26345", "content": "<p>Hey Joey. I've had social phobia, anxiety and bouts of depression for as long as I can remember, and spent my life thinking I was stupid and weird. So diagnosis when it got way out of control a few years ago (I'm in my mid 40's) was a relief and I now have some knowledge and tools to help me with it. </p>\n<p>I also find the anxiety harder to deal with, but I think possibly because it's harder to think (sometimes impossible) and reason out the thoughts and feelings to try and deal with it. If I feel down I know what to do to help bring me back up at least to a manageable level, and it may take days or weeks, but I can do it. It's harder to stop your mind bouncing around, your heart from pounding, the nausea, and your whole body from shaking and sweating. Stopping and taking deep breaths and trying to quiet my mind helps with low levels of anxiety but when it cranks up I can take deep breaths until I'm light-headed and I'm no calmer and sometimes that makes it even worse. </p>\n<p>You're right in saying it makes you want to fight it (yourself) in an attempt to regain control. I accept that I have a severe anxiety disorder, and I can accept it when it's at low levels, but I'm at war with myself when it gets worse, both mentally and physically. Maybe it's because we can hide depression with a smile and a joke, but you can't hide anxiety, it's on show for all to see.</p>\n<p>I wish you well, and thanks for giving me some food for thought with your post <span class=\"lia-unicode-emoji\" title=\":slightly_smiling_face:\">🙂</span></p>\n<p> </p></div>", "date": "07-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/fighting-anxiety/td-p/96072" } ]

[ { "author": "user-id/25972", "content": "<p class=\"MsoNormal\">Hi Everyone,</p><p></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">I’m new to the forum<span style=\"font-family: Wingdings;\">J</span>\n. I have anxiety and agoraphobia. I feel extremely anxious when we (myself and my partner) need to go do the weekly grocery shopping. I could never imagine doing the grocery shopping alone. I would really like to have that independence and not having to rely on him so much to do everything for me that involves talking to strangers on the phone or going to a shop. I feel that at 25 I am less of a person because I get so anxious about these things that others (who don't have anxiety) do without a second thought. Once I've been to a place about 5 times I feel more relaxed but I feel so overwhelmed walking into a shop for the first time. I buy all my clothes online or when my partner is with me at the clothing shop. The last time I went into a shop alone was for christmas presents - something I really needed to do without my partner but the entire time I was so nervous and couldn't wait to get out of the shop - afterwards I felt dizzy and weak.</p><p></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">If there really is something I really need from the shop I will go into the shop on my own and buy it - but it's that dreading feeling I feel when in the shop. I feel very alone and was just wondering if anyone else felt like this. I don't think my partner understands at all how anxious I get.</p></div>", "date": "05-04-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/agoraphobia-about-going-into-the-shops/td-p/94892" }, { "author": "user-id/277", "content": "Hi <span class=\"sfforumUser\">Everyotherday, This is common of Agoraphobia, support person/friend/so/ to be with you.  have you tried going to smaller stores?, this can help. Sometimes you need that little bit of discomfort, I can manage to do one around the corner from me now depending on how i am., but the big stores no . I guess it will take time. I've read that  having your safe person sit nearby while you go in can help to, not right besides you, but just outside so you know. Rather than tackle it on your own, you need to break it down into very small steps. TC <br>\n</span></div>", "date": "06-04-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/agoraphobia-about-going-into-the-shops/td-p/94892" }, { "author": "user-id/23517", "content": "<p>I can't believe it. I feel like you are writing about me. I'm 25 too and have only once went to Woolworths by myself and had a panic attack and cried the whole way home. How do we fix this?</p></div>", "date": "06-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/agoraphobia-about-going-into-the-shops/td-p/94892" }, { "author": "user-id/36399", "content": "<p>I was a bit the same, I dreaded the shops, I started doing all my food shopping late in the evenings right before closing time.  If I went into the shops when it was busy I would either flee and have a cry in the car or even worse literally forget how to walk ( that was fun) I got to the point I was so frustrated living like a hermit that I started forcing myself to go during busy times and if I started panicking I would go to my favourite book store  and would not let myself leave until my nerves had settled... I could tell you just about every book they had on their shelves...it took me awhile but I am 100% better than I was... I still have off days but I manage to push through them ok...</p></div>", "date": "06-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/agoraphobia-about-going-into-the-shops/td-p/94892" } ]

[ { "author": "user-id/27322", "content": "<p>Hi guys, </p>\n<p>Thanks in advance for lending your ear. <br>\nI currently am in a little bit of a spiral. I havent been officially diagnosed with anxiety but have been told for the past 7 years to seek help. I have been coping really well by refocusing my stresses and frustrations with exercise over time. But since i have injured myself back in january, and unable to push myself, my little quirks and struggles are starting to rear their nasty little heads. </p>\n<p>The reason I have been so reluctant to seek help is because I struggle to find a sympathetic doctor who doesn't just brush it all off to stress and i should sleep more. I know that i need more sleep, i know all this, what i need is help and i dont' need to be brushed off, because it makes me feel even worse. </p>\n<p>Does anyone have any tips, tricks of doctor recommendations in the Brisbane area? I've looked at the directory and can't seem to find someone who i feel comfortable calling. </p>\n<p>Thanks guys again. </p></div>", "date": "22-04-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/seeking-help/td-p/98016" }, { "author": "user-id/21739", "content": "<p>Dear Mystery Belle,</p>\n<p>May I assume that you are a lady, albeit mysterious ?</p>\n<p>Getting an unsympathetic medical response has got to be one of the worst experiences for any mental health sufferer.  It even makes you think that the next counselor, doctor, psychiatrist or psychologist will be the same ignorant minimiser.   Personally, I'd ask around and get a \"good referral\" the same way you would vet the area for a \"good fish and chip shop\".  [\"Ah don't go to Fred's on The Strand - way too much grease and he uses chicken salt not the real stuff.  Go to Manuel's in the next street instead, OK\"]. </p>\n<p> I had to lock onto a new psychiatrist recently (following an admission) and there was an older guy who seemed OK and infact reduced his fee.   At the same medical practise there was a psychiatrist I'd seen in the '90s so I naturally enquired if I could be put on his list.   The response was \"Dr X doesn't take new referrals\".   So I guess this is the other problem - that the good ones are full.   It's almost worth turning up at ANY medical centre to get the vibe on the professionals.    I mean, how can you tell from a website or phone book if this professional will be good for you ?</p>\n<p>I had one counsellor who was recommended by one of my wife's friends (who was a psychiatrist) and it turned out OK.  Except that if I cancelled a session then my wife would inflict stern criticism as she felt I'd let her friend down !  But the reason this guy was good was because he never chased me or expected me to come every time.  He knew I would be a bit up and down and, because of this empathy, I attended on a higher % than any other counselor ever.   Either you have a connection or you don't.</p>\n<p>Adios, David.</p>\n<p>PS  You'd think Brisbane would be full of sympathetic doctors, etc, after all the floods in the last 5 years.   People would have needed a lot of support in Brisbane. </p>\n<p> </p>\n<p> </p></div>", "date": "22-04-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/seeking-help/td-p/98016" }, { "author": "user-id/8236", "content": "<p>dear Mystery Belle I had just replied to you but it came as 'system error'.</p>\n<p>I am sorry that you have now encountered back trouble, it really restricts your movements.</p>\n<p>What I would do is click on 'get support' at the top of this page and Beyond Blue will direct you in the right direction and suggest suitable doctors for you, but explain on how you feel about your previous doctors. These doctors will refer you to a psych. and probably a psychologist would be more suitable for you as they seem to be more caring than a psychiatrist. This will give you 10 free visits to them which medicare pay for, and take these as a bonus. Please let us know how you get on as this would be helpful for others. Geoff.</p></div>", "date": "23-04-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/seeking-help/td-p/98016" }, { "author": "user-id/27322", "content": "<p>Thank you so much guys for a response! The sstem error has been getting me as well, so only just been able to witness the replies. I'm currently in day 3 of 16 of work. (133 hours in total... This is gonna be great for my stress levels!), so once I'm out of this strings ill definitely be seeking help again. It is great to know there is a support system here, still fragile from my last attempt at counciling where all I got told was to take my tv out of my bedroom. </p>\n<p>I truly cannot express my gratitude for your assistance </p>\n<p>and mysterybelle is my favourite song, by a band called the fumes - worth checking out if you like blues <span class=\"lia-unicode-emoji\" title=\":winking_face:\">😉</span></p>\n<p><br>\n</p>\n<p><br>\n</p></div>", "date": "28-04-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/seeking-help/td-p/98016" }, { "author": "user-id/27322", "content": "<p style=\"text-align: -webkit-auto;\"><span style=\"background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: arial, sans-serif;\">Thank you so much guys for a response! The sstem error has been getting me as well, so only just been able to witness the replies. I'm currently in day 3 of 16 of work. (133 hours in total... This is gonna be great for my stress levels!), so once I'm out of this strings ill definitely be seeking help again. It is great to know there is a support system here, still fragile from my last attempt at counciling where all I got told was to take my tv out of my bedroom. </span></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: -webkit-auto;\"><span style=\"background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: arial, sans-serif;\">I truly cannot express my gratitude for your assistance </span></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: -webkit-auto;\"><span style=\"background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: arial, sans-serif;\">and mysterybelle is my favourite song, by a band called the fumes - worth checking out if you like blues <span class=\"lia-unicode-emoji\" title=\":winking_face:\">😉</span></span></p></div>", "date": "28-04-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/seeking-help/td-p/98016" } ]

[ { "author": "user-id/9028", "content": "<p>hey all i have been dianogsed just over a year now with anxiety and its horrible ive been on so many tablets just trying to find the right one <span class=\"lia-unicode-emoji\" title=\":disappointed_face:\">😞</span> im on a good one now that seems to b working but still get attacks which i take a short acting ant anxiety medication for when i get them just wondering how others deal with them after some ideas on what i can do to relieve it other then resorting to the short acting relaxing medication.</p>\n<p>thanks</p></div>", "date": "07-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/anxiety-tips/td-p/37429" }, { "author": "user-id/30254", "content": "<p>Hi Myffy,</p>\n<p>What else do you do apart from taking your medication, or is that what you're asking?</p>\n<p>Have you got access to mental health support, like a GP or a Psych?  They can often teach you short \"talking cures\" like facing your anxiety head on or practicing breathing techniques and stuff.  I use things like that (I have GAD) and mostly the \"questioning cure\" as I call it.</p>\n<p>Say a worry comes.  I ask myself \"so what am I worried about?  Is this really going to happen?  What if the worst case scenario?\" and stuff like that.  IT's certainly not a miracle cure, but often I am able to calm myself down by \"being rational\"...whatever \"rational\" is about having Anxiety!  <span class=\"lia-unicode-emoji\" title=\":slightly_smiling_face:\">🙂</span></p>\n<p>Otherwise I might just focus on breathing and \"calming down\" by taking deep breaths or taking myself into a corner or another room and \"just chilling\", even for a few minutes.</p>\n<p>Talk to your GP, don't just take my word for it, but hopefully those are \"helpful hints\" for you.  <span class=\"lia-unicode-emoji\" title=\":slightly_smiling_face:\">🙂</span></p>\n<p>Bless.</p></div>", "date": "13-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/anxiety-tips/td-p/37429" }, { "author": "user-id/5411", "content": "<p>Well apparently I can't take anything stronger unless I see a psychiatrist. So car the strongest of these seem to work generally but if if something happened to scare me then my anxiety levels still go through the roof and won't pass for a while but I was kind of like that all day and just a complete basket case with worry.   Hated it when the phone rang, even avoided answering for fear of hearing bad news.  I wish I had a quick fix tablet what are they called?</p></div>", "date": "13-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/anxiety-tips/td-p/37429" }, { "author": "user-id/31772", "content": "<p>There is no miracle pill! I cant tell you how ofter I wished for a pill that would make it all go away! Hey but once you accept and dont fight it and add to the anxiety you can to get moments when its gone and build on these.</p>\n<p>What works for me is keeping in my comfort zone on bad days and challenging myself a little on better days. Go with your gut and pace yourself and in time your comfort zone will increase and so will your good days.</p>\n<p>You can make it  - and as I  like to say if one person can recover then we all can!</p>\n<p> </p></div>", "date": "15-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/anxiety-tips/td-p/37429" } ]

[ { "author": "user-id/24915", "content": "I was put on a medication for anxiety about a year ago when I was 16 i take it every day and its a continuous routine. The psychiatrist never told me why I should go on it. I don't even know why i'm on it, I think i'm depressed rather than anxious. Or maybe both. I dont know weather I'm just feeling sorry for myself or not. I feel selfish when I realise that other's lives are in a much worst state than my own. I don't know many people that feel a similar sense of what I'm feeling. Going through my half Yearly yr 12 exams at the moment, I feel worthless and cant really be bothered to sit down and study. I get upset easily my the smallest things. I'm over sensitive and my friends call me a drama queen. My mother doesn't understand me even though she says she does. I quite often seek attention as my parents are always directing it towards my other siblings. I know a minimal number of people that know how I'm feeling. I've stopped seeing my psychologist for about 2 months now as I found her too challenging and questioned my logic, also not understanding me. I don;t believe in paying a stranger $100 an hr to be paid to listen to how you feel when they're probably living mediocre lives. The doctors think that medicine solves everything.  </div>", "date": "06-04-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/unsure-of-anxiety/td-p/95181" }, { "author": "user-id/30254", "content": "<p>Hello Claudia.</p>\n<p>I like that you're trying to identify what is actually going on with you, is it Depression or is it Anxiety?  Whatever it is you know it isn't \"normal 17 year old girl stuff\" and that's a good call.  When I was trying to work it out for me I asked a simple question, when I \"feel\" do I feel sad, or do I feel scared?  Sad = Dep., Scared = Anx.  Okay so that's hardly rocket science but it's a start, and from how you've described it I'd be inclined to agree with you that it's probably a little of each anyway.  (That's often how it works too, especially when you \"start\" getting sick.)</p>\n<p>I'm sorry to hear that your Psych didn't explain things to you fully.  I don't want to sound like a patronizing adult, but I work in a high school as a counselling type person, (not \"a counsellor\", but in that area) and I know that 16-17-18-+ are pretty cluey, you don't need to \"not tell the child\" because \"the child\" is not a \"child\".  So, sorry you were left out of the loop there, that should not have happened.</p>\n<p>As someone who experiences Anxiety (I refuse to \"suffer\", I \"experience\") I know that medicine doesn't solve everything, but it is an important part of the answer.  If you're not seeing your Psych any more, and for good reason it seems, I'd still suggest (if you'll allow it) that you find someone you can talk to.  Even a girlfriend if it can't be mum or sister (or dad/brother), but having someone to talk to is great, even if they just cop it and don't offer advice or \"on the other hand\".  If you can challenge your negative thinking that's great, and hopefully your Psych will have taught you some CBT on one of those $100 visits; but it can be frustrating if someone else tries to talk you out of it, especially if they \"don't understand\", and many people don't.</p>\n<p>BTW, \"unsure of anxiety\", great title,  LOL!!!</p>\n<p>It actually sounds to me you're pretty much on the ball.  Annoyed at the whole situation for sure, but you know what's going on. If you are on medication then stick with it, but above all find mates...one is great, three is awesome, more than that is just gossip and you don't need that.</p>\n<p>Thanks for sharing your story, I hope it's an encouragement to others even to know they're not alone.  Like you're not alone, even if only on a forum. </p>\n<p><span class=\"lia-unicode-emoji\" title=\":slightly_smiling_face:\">🙂</span></p></div>", "date": "13-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/unsure-of-anxiety/td-p/95181" } ]

[ { "author": "user-id/26345", "content": "<p>Until I was diagnosed a few years ago with social phobia, severe anxiety disorder and clinical depression, which I've had my whole life (I'm now mid 40's). The diagnosis only came because I had moved to the city to live with my partner and get a better job after living in the country all my life, and living/working in suburbia caused things to spiral completely out of control. Finding out I wasn't stupid, weird and weak was a relief, and knowing what was wrong helped me understand my life up to that point. The diagnosis also only came after I was able to talk to my partner and admit something was wrong, and with his support, sought help from a GP, and was then referred to a mental health nurse. </p>\n<p>There are many reasons I am this way, I'm quiet and shy by nature, was socially isolated apart from family, until I started school, my dad died when I was 6 (I didn't talk for days after, and made many 'wills' as a child among other things, so it had an effect). We don't show affection, feelings or encouragement in my family, sarcasm and teasing are our form of 'affection', feelings are weak and should be bottled up and you never hear praise. I love my family, I know they love me, we just don't say it or show it. I tried my hardest in school, at work and during a 16 year relationship which resembled the way my family is, no praise or encouragement, and shows of emotion are weak and embarrassing. I allowed myself to be treated as doormat and whipping post (not literally) until I couldn't stand it any longer and plucked up the resolve and courage to end the relationship.</p>\n<p>I had absolutely no self esteem, no confidence and no idea what was wrong with me. I met my partner a few years later and moved to the city, I tried hard to get used to it, he is a wonderful and supportive man, I had a job I liked well enough with people who liked me (I continue to find that amazing), but I couldn't cope and slowly crumbled. It became dangerous for me to drive, I was physically ill with fear if I had to go out, I ate little, slept badly, was unable to work and some days could barely function. Even with medication and sessions with a mental health nurse over 18 months, things got worse and I was told I had little hope of recovery whilst living in suburbia, and moved back to the country, I was assisted with applying for a disability pension and pretty much left to my own devices because I'm not able to drive far enough to see a mental health professional. </p>\n<p>The only help out here is your GP, and the first 6 - 12 months were hard, I bought a pup to have something to make me get out of bed and getting on with life. He has been better than all the medication, and can make me smile and laugh and feel loved even on the worst day. I discovered a talent for painting, which also helps fulfill my need to achieve something and have a purpose, and my best days are ones spent with a brush or pencil in my hand. They're also the ones I feel hungry and sleep well. </p>\n<p>I manage the depression fairly well now, I've also started believing that I am a good and worthwhile person, and I deserve to be liked and loved. I still shake and sweat and feel like I'm going to throw up on my shoes when I have to go out every few weeks to do shopping, but I do it anyway and try and make it as positive experience as I can. I speak to people I know and ones I don't know, and no-one gets angry or makes fun of me, even if my mind goes blank and I stammer out something that makes no sense. It's a far longer process than I ever imagined it would be, but every step takes me that bit further, and when I look back now, I've come a long, long way from where I was. </p>\n<p>Don't give up, ask for help, accept help, and know that you aren't alone.</p>\n<p><br>\n</p>\n<p><br>\n</p>\n<p><br>\n</p></div>", "date": "07-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/i-thought-i-was-stupid-and-weird/td-p/37304" }, { "author": "user-id/30254", "content": "<p>Hi Sharon.</p>\n<p>I'm guessing since you're writing a story of success (as it is) and you're going by \"BV\" you're on top of things.  (If BV means what I think it means then that's me too, catch my clip on the anxiety campaign talking about \"chest tightening\".)</p>\n<p>So this is just to say thanks!  Thanks for your story and for your encouragement. <span class=\"lia-unicode-emoji\" title=\":slightly_smiling_face:\">🙂</span></p>\n<p>Bless.</p></div>", "date": "13-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/i-thought-i-was-stupid-and-weird/td-p/37304" } ]

[ { "author": "user-id/16253", "content": "what is appropriate type of perscription medication for anxiety, I dont like what I am on as it makes me very drowsy</div>", "date": "08-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/does-anyone-know/td-p/38233" }, { "author": "user-id/30254", "content": "<p>Hello stillhopeful.</p>\n<p>Your question really needs a doctor's answer of course, and since I'm not a doctor I can't give you one.</p>\n<p>What I can give you is that I am on medication for GAD, and what I take is one of the \"SSRI\" drugs.  And yes, it makes me drowsy!</p>\n<p>What I do is take my tablet (one a day) after dinner at night so the drowsiness is dealt with by my being asleep, and I am still medicated in the morning to face the day without wanting to shed blood.</p>\n<p>The other key I suppose is that drowsiness in itself is a symptom of many Anxiety disorders so you might just feel like that because you are sick, not because the drug is doing it.  Again, I'm not a doctor, but this has been my experience. </p>\n<p>I've been on my tablets for about three and a half years and my Psych as suggested I actually increase my dose because Anxiety requires a higher dose than Depression.  Of course I'll only do that with proper advice and after certain medical checks first, (so I'm not telling you to do it!!!!),.but if medication is part of the treatment it may just be something we both need to deal with. </p>\n<p>I experience Anxiety and that makes me tired.  It sucks, but it's true.</p>\n<p>Bless.</p></div>", "date": "13-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/does-anyone-know/td-p/38233" } ]

[ { "author": "user-id/25776", "content": "<p>Hi All,</p>\n<p><br>\n</p>\n<p>i am new to the forum, i was diagnosed 4 months ago with PTSD and anxiety. i have now started to develop numbness on the left side of my face along the cheek. Can anyone tell me if this is normal as it does frighten me.</p></div>", "date": "08-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/face-numbness/td-p/37997" }, { "author": "user-id/31772", "content": "<p>Dont worry its just another symptom. Read up on anxiety symptoms and then you wont be so frightened. They change from time to time and come an go. Not pleasnt to live with I know BUT no need to scare yourself and send your anxiety soaring.</p>\n<p>Hang in there this too will pass!</p></div>", "date": "09-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/face-numbness/td-p/37997" }, { "author": "user-id/25776", "content": "<p>Hi Romany,</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p>thanks, i just find it amazing so to speak on how the body responds to anxiety. i am doing CBT with my Psychologist so i learn new behaviors and to not dwell on the pains i get. this will take time i know but it is a comfort to know that there are so many of us and im not alone in this fight. </p></div>", "date": "09-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/face-numbness/td-p/37997" }, { "author": "user-id/31772", "content": "<p>It certainly is amazing how the body feels with anxiety and how we make these feelings worse when we focus on them and worry about them.Keep busy, do what you enjoy and makes you feel good,keep positive and remember you are going to make it and come out stronger.</p>\n<p>Romany</p></div>", "date": "13-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/face-numbness/td-p/37997" } ]

[ { "author": "user-id/37963", "content": "<p>Hi all, I'm quite new to this so forgive me if I'm not approaching it right but... I don't know what to do anymore. I have overly severe paranoia issues and its become that bad that its running my friendships and causing tension within my family.. I constantly believe negative thoughts with situations and can't seem to block them out. I find it hard to communicate with people face to face with my problems and have mild form of social anxiety. I want to join social groups around town but I'm too scared that people will judge me negatively so I just stay home and avoid people altogether.. I guess all I'd like to know is if anyone else is going through the same thing at the moment and how they're dealing with it? Would really appreciate some support.. Thank you.</p>\n<p>- Bes</p></div>", "date": "09-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/severe-paranoia-and-anxiety/td-p/38359" }, { "author": "user-id/38018", "content": "<p>I am so glad I found this page. I had no idea what anxiety was until I saw a news clip of Beyond Blue on tv. I swear I thought I was going crazy. Tightening of the chest pretty much all the time for no real reason, I went to the doctor and told him my heart hurts. He ran tests but did not mention anxiety, it was all in my head. I worry about everything. I dont even like being served at the supermarket and use the self service aisle instead. I wear a smile all the time to hide my hurting chest, dark glasses to hide my sleepy eyes.</p>\n<p>I have just made the decision recently to join a local gym with my daughter. I will have a coffee day with my mum and walk the dog 20 minutes a day. When Im busy I have no time to think about the tightening in my chest.. I will let you know if its working and I will be keen to read any other suggestions you might receive. Good luck.</p></div>", "date": "09-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/severe-paranoia-and-anxiety/td-p/38359" }, { "author": "user-id/38612", "content": "<p>Dear Bes I know all those feelings all too well. I would go to town and think everyone was staring at me to the point their eyes became like spears. That physically Hurt.</p>\n<p>You are not alone in this,I too stopped going out etc.Because it was too hard. My belief was evryone was criticising me. But my Mother said to Me they arent even seeing you.They are thinking about shopping, whether the husband will be drunk tonight etc. It is about changing ones own thinking, hard i know, but new phrases in the head to overide the others. Like a parrot I quess. </p>\n<p>Hope this Helps in some way.</p>\n<p>Karherine</p></div>", "date": "11-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/severe-paranoia-and-anxiety/td-p/38359" }, { "author": "user-id/8236", "content": "<p>dear Bes, I wanted to read more about paranoia so I googled 'severe paranoia issues' and on there are many different sites to view.</p>\n<p>I have known people who have paranoia issues, however I found this on the net which really doesn't help you out,</p>\n<p>'Treatment of\nparanoid personality disorder\ntypically involves long-term psychotherapy with a therapist that has experience in treating this kind of personality disorder.\nMedications may also be prescribed to help with specific troubling and debilitating symptoms.\nFor more information about treatment, please see\n<a href=\"http://psychcentral.com/disorders/sx37t.htm\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\"><strong>paranoid personality disorder treatment</strong></a>'.</p>\n<p>Sorry I couldn't be anymore helpful to you, but hopefully someone else might know more about it, or you could talk to 'web chat' or 'get support' from the top of this page. L Geoff. x </p>\n<p>\n</p></div>", "date": "12-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/severe-paranoia-and-anxiety/td-p/38359" } ]

[ { "author": "user-id/29674", "content": "<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"line-height: 1.38462; font-size: 0.8125em;\">I have no clue how to start this. Reaching out about mental\nillness is something foreign to me, and it takes immense commitment to not quit\nthe page. I have always been a very mature, healthy young person, so to\nacknowledge i have a ‘mental illness’ is kind of, weird? My anxiety has become\na consistent feeling throughout my day to day life. It sits in my stomach and\nshakes my hands and makes me sweat in the most calm and insignificant\nsituations. I first experienced a panic attack last October, it was roughly 3-4\nhours and i’ve had regular attacks ever since. Anxiety has sprung on me\nunexpectedly, and unlike all other aspects of my life (where i am free to talk\nabout how i feel openly – with a very supportive group of friends, connected school\nand devoted family) i feel enormous apprehension to approach anyone i know\nabout this. i wake up and feel anxious, i shake in between classes and only\nfind relief once i am talking to my best friend (who urges me to seek\nprofessional help – which i dismiss, not because i do not believe it won’t work,\nbut because it’s a struggle for me to post this, let alone face someone and\ntell them that there is something wrong with me?) I don’t know what to do, is\ntalking to a doctor the only way? I want answers but everything seems crowded\nin my mind and i can’t figure out where to start looking. Please help, there is\nno one i feel comfortable talking too, but i can’t contain all this madness\ninside.</span></p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">Ava x</p></div>", "date": "06-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/shaky-scared-and-silent/td-p/37104" }, { "author": "user-id/27951", "content": "<p>Hi Ava. As a fellow anxiety sufferer, I can relate to some of what you're going through. Those unpleasant feelings, the sweating, the panic attacks, etc ... why do they happen in \"calm and insignificant situations\"? Why do people with strong support networks, healthy bodies (in the physical sense) and intelligence still suffer from anxiety? I recently bought my own house, I'm surrounded by loving and supportive family and friends, and I have a stable job with a good income. Yet I still walk around with that knot in my stomach, the cold sweats and the endless thought patterns.</p>\n<p>It's hard to find logic behind anxiety. And it's hard to get others to see things the way you see them (unless they're been through it also). Not everyone is comfortable talking about it, psychologists are expensive and pills aren't for everyone. Maybe self-help could be a good option for you? I highly recommend a book called \"FearLess - Your guide to overcoming anxiety\" by Wayne Froggatt - he's a professional social worker based in NZ with 30 years experience. It's packed full of useful advice about anxiety and numerous strategies for keeping it under control.</p>\n<p>Peace.</p></div>", "date": "09-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/shaky-scared-and-silent/td-p/37104" } ]

[ { "author": "user-id/13331", "content": "<p>Hi there,</p>\n<p>I heard Beyond Blue advertised on the radio today and I decided to go to their website and that has led me to joining the online community. Does anyone out there have health anxiety? I have had it for as long as I can remember and to be honest in it's early days I managed it very well and even now feel that my case is mild as I have learned to manage it as best as I can myself but I am always interested in other peoples ways of coping and maybe I might be able to help someone out there with how I have taught myself to manage this.</p>\n<p>To be honest, in my case I don't stress over every illness or disease that there is. My main anxiety is with cancer, mainly breast cancer. I have no explanation why, it's just something that I stress over. I don't go to the doctor every 5 minutes and have set myself strict rules on checking myself and doubting myself all the time. I have done my own research and sourced some good information over the internet on management techniques and how you can overcome negative thoughts which have helped me but regulary I keep second guessing myself, like for eg. I only check my breasts one a month and then once I've checked them I doubt myself and say \"maybe I've missed something\". I do refrain myself from checking them again because one thing I have learned is if you repeat this checking behaviour it helps in the short term but then you doubt yourself again and so the cycle starts over. I asked my doctor to send me off the an ultrasound to make sure nothing is wrong and he knows that I struggle with the \"girls\" lol.</p>\n<p>Anyway, I believe that with anxiety especially OCD related anxiety and I think health anxiety falls into that category as it's repetitive behaviour it's very important to follow the techniques to help you manage and hopefully cure the anxiety. Although I have told my husband how I get and he is understanding, I tend to keep this subject to myself and when it kicks in try and follow my manage system.</p>\n<p>Although I don't think I will ever be rid of it totally, of late I have decided that instead of fighting it and always wanting to make these thoughts totally go away and all the time I would fail at that. Lately for me it's about management with my feelings and if you can get a good balance of that things will be ok.</p>\n<p>I will say that one thing that has stuck in my mind with my findings about health anxiety,</p>\n<p>\"If you can accept uncertainty, your worries will go away, as soon as you fight uncertainty your worries will stay\". Everybody has uncertainty in their life its the way we handle it which can make a difference.</p>\n<p> </p></div>", "date": "06-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/health-anxiety/td-p/36877" }, { "author": "user-id/8236", "content": "<p> dear Buckley, I love your last comment, \"If you can accept uncertainty, your worries will go away, as soon as you fight uncertainty your worries will stay\", well with OCD the latter prevails, that's why we do our habits and rituals to temporarily dispel our fears or worries. </p>\n<p>'Once I've checked them I doubt myself and say \"maybe I've missed something', well this again is how I think, as I have had OCD for 50 years or as far back as I can remember, and it's a typical way we function.</p>\n<p>Some people who don't understand what OCD does to a person think that we are crazy, and a long time ago I was often called this, so now I hide my habits and rituals.</p>\n<p>I well and truly understand what you are going through, we aren't mad or crazy it's an illness that we have, and I believe there are a lot of people who have OCD, and it does stem from anxiety, but not everyone with anxiety has our illness, and aren't they lucky.</p>\n<p>There is medication that I take which is supposed to reduce our anxiety and therefore reduce our OCD, well that's what the professionals say, it may help someone but not you yourself. But what I can say is that this medication has finally helped me with my depression, but it was a long time in the making.</p>\n<p>I am always interested with other people who have this illness, and I also know that Chris wants to keep in contact for the same reason, but yours is intriguing so please stay in touch and take care. L Geoff. x</p></div>", "date": "08-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/health-anxiety/td-p/36877" } ]

[ { "author": "user-id/30907", "content": "<em>Hello I am new here, does anyone feel that Anxiety is like being in prison, a mental prison. The only difference Is there is  no guards, routine is one thing I need to stick to though. I wonder what I did in a previous life to experience such Punishment, Will this be my life for the next 20years, my fear is intense my heart beats fast all day, Thanks Annie.</em></div>", "date": "26-04-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/anxiety-my-mental-prison/td-p/98565" }, { "author": "user-id/8236", "content": "<p>dear Annie, yuk anxiety, it hovers around with everything, no matter how big or small it is, we are always predicating the worst.</p>\n<p>You mention the word 'routine' which is associated with OCD and I am wondering whether you have been suffering from this, and if so google it and try to find on ways to cope with it. There is also medication that is supposed to relieve some anxiety and is used to for people who have OCD, and I take it as I have had OCD for 50 odd years, as far back as I can remember. I maybe jumping the gun here.</p>\n<p>Maybe go and see your doctor who should be able to help you. Anxiety reminds me so much of the saying 'scaredy cat', well that's what it is like in general terms and yes our hearts does beat fast, it's terrible. Please get back to us. L Geoff. x</p></div>", "date": "27-04-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/anxiety-my-mental-prison/td-p/98565" }, { "author": "user-id/39445", "content": "<p>I hear you AnxtyAnnie.  I suffer from an Anxiety Disorder myself (have had various forms of it rear its ugly head PTSD, PND, Panic Attacks, GAD you name it) and am presently in relapse.  I just wanted to write back so that you know that you are not alone.  Myself, just knowing that there is somebody out there to talk to who also understands is comforting. Big Hugs.</p>\n<p>I just found this forum today and joined up.</p></div>", "date": "30-04-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/anxiety-my-mental-prison/td-p/98565" }, { "author": "user-id/21739", "content": "<p>Dear Annie,</p>\n<p>It's discomforting that one anxious day can lead you to question whether the next 20 years (or 7,040 days) will be your future life.  Come back to ground.  Work it out day by day or week by week - something manageable.   Otherwise you're just feeding the anxiety with yet more stuff to worry about. </p>\n<p>Did you ever look at Gestalt therapy - being in the moment ?</p>\n<p>Adios, David. </p>\n<p> </p></div>", "date": "01-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/anxiety-my-mental-prison/td-p/98565" }, { "author": "user-id/3430", "content": "<p>Annie,</p>\n<p>You mention how the anxiety makes you feel. Can I ask, do you have people close to you that know about how you are feeling? </p>\n<p>My personal exposure to anxiety has been as someone in the close support network around the sufferer. I don't know how to help, other than be there and be supportive, and help talk through things, one topic at a time. It is the reason I am on these forums.</p>\n<p>Although I am patently logical (occupational hazard) the complexity and lack of logic in anxiety is hard for me to comprehend. All I can offer is that people around you who care about you will help, and there are people here that are willing to share their experiences as well.</p>\n<p>Bob</p></div>", "date": "01-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/anxiety-my-mental-prison/td-p/98565" }, { "author": "user-id/21739", "content": "<p>Dear Annie, Geoff, Lizardman's Mum and Bob,</p>\n<p>In my experience the stress of anxiety reaches a level where no physical position is comfortable, no counselling will reach me, no amount of logic will talk me down, no quantity of crashed out sleep will put me back to normal and no trigger awareness has prevented the episode.    It's like having a grand mal.</p>\n<p>I am always organised so maybe it's a loss of control that does my head in.  Simple things seem awkward and I will just leave the area or people in a dramatic fashion.  But somehow I need to get away.  People that know me have to support this behaviour by giving me space and not crowding me.</p>\n<p>It's like paronoia is only a thought away.  A twisted thought.  Luckily, as a composer, I can sometimes chill with playing the piano or using the moment to write something swirly and turgid.  It's not the music that is comforting it's the simple routine of doing something I know.  One time I just cut the grass to be normal.  It was great.  Very carthatic.  My wife enjoyed my anxiety !</p>\n<p>Adios, David.</p>\n<p>PS Welcome Annie, Lizardman's Mum (? Paul Keating's mum) and Bob.  It's great to have so many new users.  Bob, you lurk no more.</p>\n<p> </p>\n<p> </p>\n<p> </p></div>", "date": "01-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/anxiety-my-mental-prison/td-p/98565" }, { "author": "user-id/277", "content": "Hi Annie, David wow That's it in a nutshell, I've never heard it explained like that a grand mal. It's not always obvious or a reason, or anyone around me can ease it, I try to treat it best i can at the time, reduce it like a simmering pot. Anyhow I just wanted to say hi to Annie and your thread....... *Passes the burn Pav*..  Annie well i guess it is kind of a mental prison with relaxation letting us have a window of freedom........TC</div>", "date": "04-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/anxiety-my-mental-prison/td-p/98565" }, { "author": "user-id/41210", "content": "Annie, do get help and soon,  You are right, anxiety is like a prison, in that no matter what you are doing it follows you and puts a spoiler on the simple pleasures of life.  Proper relaxation is something I have so seldom experienced for so long now that It's hard to remember how it actually feels!  Don't let this happen to you, please.  I don't know where my anxiety came from - it just arrived out of the blue about 50 years ago and has become so much a part of my life that it would probably be impossible to heal it completely, but since I commenced anti-depressants some years ago it has become more manageable.  Another thing that helped was being prescribed a beta-blocker for a disturbed heart rhythm (which was exacerbated by the anxiety).  I'm sure that treatment early in the disorder would lead to a better outcome.</div>", "date": "06-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/anxiety-my-mental-prison/td-p/98565" }, { "author": "user-id/20839", "content": "<p>I would never wish the claustrophobic, all encompassing, feeling of anxiety on my worst enemy.  I agree it is a total prison, one that sometimes you feel like you create yourself when your mind/thoughts take over.  </p>\n<p>I suffer from anxiety, OCD and have had depressive episodes over the years (I'm 24).  When I was 13 my dad died suddenly and as a teenager I didn't know/want to talk to anyone about how I felt, many times I felt like I was going crazy.  I suffered for years, snapping at everyone around me but never reaching out for help.  When I did seek help I remember sitting in my doctors office and sobbing.  There have been times when I have been completely overwhelmed, or hated myself for how my condition impacted those who I care about.  But every day I find I learn how to cope with everything.  </p>\n<p>There have been times when I've been told by people to \"get over it\" or \"stop over thinking things\", it makes me so angry.  No one, more than myself wishes it was that easy.  For my mum (the most logical person I know) its been hard for her to understand.  I'm sure watching me suffer has never been easy for those around me either, and in a lot of ways I learned to put on a smile and pretend to feel good out of my own guilt. </p>\n<p>Even if you cant empathise, make sure those you love know that you accept and will always try to understand. That said, it's a hard thing to understand if you have never experienced it. </p></div>", "date": "07-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/anxiety-my-mental-prison/td-p/98565" } ]

[ { "author": "user-id/10060", "content": "Originally posted by: <strong>Mahtab</strong> on <strong>5 February 2013</strong><br><br>I am a 25 year old psychology student that cannot get rid of constant negative thoughts &amp; continuing panic attacks. I work in a bank as a teller and every day is a struggle to get up and get dressed as I fear what the day has in store for me. Back in 2007 my parents split and it was a messy divorce resulting in me being stuck in the middle, then in 2010, I witnessed someone get murdered and since then my anxiety has increased immensely. \n\nI constantly feel something bad is going to happen, I'm scared of big crowds, I think sooo negatively to the point where I start suffocating and almost choking. When im in public, i get this feeling that im detached from my body and my throat starts closing up. I shake to the point where my jaw feels like its going to break in half. I have a phobia of being sick which is on my mind 24/7. I never have a proper nights sleep unless the night before I stay awake until early morning and tire myself, I'm waking up every night around same time 2,3am and I start panicking for no apparent reason.\n\nI'm so sick of being sick! There is always always always something wrong with me, either headache or I'm tired or fatigued or moody, and I'm losing the ones I love because I keep snapping at them.\nI just want to be panic free and live a happy life but the only way I can do that is if I live on medication for the rest of my life <span class=\"lia-unicode-emoji\" title=\":disappointed_face:\">😞</span> <span class=\"lia-unicode-emoji\" title=\":disappointed_face:\">😞</span> <span class=\"lia-unicode-emoji\" title=\":disappointed_face:\">😞</span></div>", "date": "05-02-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/severe-anxiety/td-p/54519/page/3" }, { "author": "user-id/10060", "content": "Originally posted by: <strong>mahtab</strong> on <strong>12 February 2013</strong><br><br>Thank you David for your straight out response.\n\nI agree, if he loved me everything would be much easier wouldn't it? He doesn't. He leaves the room when I walk in. He doesn't consider me his child, let alone a human. \nIn my culture, sons are more important than daughters. Or maybe it's just my Dad. \nWhy do I feel the constant need to seek his approval when he does all of this to me? When he breaks me down and makes me feel like a horrible daughter when all I have ever done is try to make him happy and live a life where I am clearly miserable but trying to make others happy?\n\nI dont understand how people that cant conceive but would be amazing parents, dont get the privilege and then people like my dad who dont know how to care for their children, get them.\nI want to wring peoples necks who don't know how to be parents. Take the blessing of getting the gift of life!! argghhh\n\nYou say that your father says I wish I spent more time with David, I mean why do they have to realise this so late? it aggravates me. why not when you are completely capable of having a good relationship with your children??\n\nHe gives all his attentiona and love to his new wife of 4 years. It really hurts.\n\nAnyhow, no problem at all David, I actually love Bollywood haha and It has been very good to be able to vent on Beyond Blue and be understood so thank you!! <span class=\"lia-unicode-emoji\" title=\":slightly_smiling_face:\">🙂</span></div>", "date": "12-02-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/severe-anxiety/td-p/54519/page/3" }, { "author": "user-id/10060", "content": "Originally posted by: <strong>David Charles</strong> on <strong>13 February 2013</strong><br><br>Dear Mahtab, My wife is from Bombay, Bollywood land. I'm always amazed that she is last in the pecking order but some Indian customs maintain that the first son is the one and will receive all the attention and all the finance. You could have 4 daughters and the youngest, a son, will get EVERYTHING. I\"m not sure if the opposite of NO attention is worth having. Imagine getting SO much attention that your life is controlled, planned and generally taken over because mummy and daddy want to do it all for you. Your gunslinger side seat might be the best option in the long run. At least you get to call the shots. Adios, David. PS Thanks for the communication on the site - although I made the classic error of thinking you were male not female. Maybe I have Indian blood ? Ha ! But then in some Bollywood movies it's hard to tell the difference. Just saying.</div>", "date": "13-02-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/severe-anxiety/td-p/54519/page/3" }, { "author": "user-id/10060", "content": "Originally posted by: <strong>Mahtab</strong> on <strong>13 February 2013</strong><br><br>Hi David, haha you thought I was male oh gosh that is hilarious, that really made me laugh thank you. Yeah you're right about the controlled part, but unfortunately I am a female and on top of that still controlled by my Dad. But I understand what you mean, thank you for your insightful advice, much appreciated, and your wife is Indian does that mean you are also obsessed with Bollywood movies like i am? You must love Shahrukhan then? Haha Bollywood movies make me happy <span class=\"lia-unicode-emoji\" title=\":slightly_smiling_face:\">🙂</span></div>", "date": "13-02-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/severe-anxiety/td-p/54519/page/3" }, { "author": "user-id/9028", "content": "<p>hi there mahtab hope u r ok just read this post and its like wow im not alone everything u r going thru ive been going thru for the past year <span class=\"lia-unicode-emoji\" title=\":disappointed_face:\">😞</span> i got really sick about an year ago and daughter broke her arm requiring surgery i think that is what tipped mine over i worry about everything the same as mahtab so reading all ur wonderful comments has made a huge difference know that there r ppl out there who care and know what its all about nothing worse then trying to explain it to someone who know nothing about it </p>\n<p>thanks guys <span class=\"lia-unicode-emoji\" title=\":slightly_smiling_face:\">🙂</span> </p></div>", "date": "07-05-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/severe-anxiety/td-p/54519/page/3" }, { "author": "user-id/10060", "content": "Originally posted by: <strong>Mahtab</strong> on <strong>5 February 2013</strong><br><br>I am a 25 year old psychology student that cannot get rid of constant negative thoughts &amp; continuing panic attacks. I work in a bank as a teller and every day is a struggle to get up and get dressed as I fear what the day has in store for me. Back in 2007 my parents split and it was a messy divorce resulting in me being stuck in the middle, then in 2010, I witnessed someone get murdered and since then my anxiety has increased immensely. \n\nI constantly feel something bad is going to happen, I'm scared of big crowds, I think sooo negatively to the point where I start suffocating and almost choking. When im in public, i get this feeling that im detached from my body and my throat starts closing up. I shake to the point where my jaw feels like its going to break in half. I have a phobia of being sick which is on my mind 24/7. I never have a proper nights sleep unless the night before I stay awake until early morning and tire myself, I'm waking up every night around same time 2,3am and I start panicking for no apparent reason.\n\nI'm so sick of being sick! There is always always always something wrong with me, either headache or I'm tired or fatigued or moody, and I'm losing the ones I love because I keep snapping at them.\nI just want to be panic free and live a happy life but the only way I can do that is if I live on medication for the rest of my life <span class=\"lia-unicode-emoji\" title=\":disappointed_face:\">😞</span> <span class=\"lia-unicode-emoji\" title=\":disappointed_face:\">😞</span> <span class=\"lia-unicode-emoji\" title=\":disappointed_face:\">😞</span></div>", "date": "05-02-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/severe-anxiety/td-p/54519" }, { "author": "user-id/10060", "content": "Originally posted by: <strong>David Charles</strong> on <strong>5 February 2013</strong><br><br>Dear Muhtab, Why not be panic free and happy living on medication for either the rest of your life or only at times when you really benefit from the support of drugs ? Most of your stressors - parents divorce, witnessing a murder - were not things you could have controlled. But taking pescription drugs is pretty OK. I've been on drugs for my bipolar (25 yrs) and sometimes they help a lot, other times I'm on optimal drug levels and I still get manic and there are the times I try exercise, mindfulness or sleep therapy and I feel like I don't even need the drugs. Banks hours are fairly regular so establishing a regular sleep pattern would be what I'd recommend first. Did you ever get counselling for those stressors ? Sounds like your brain is still processing the suddenness of those life experiences. That's too much anxiety and stress for a 25 yr old. Relaxing isn't anxiety free but most sleep therapies recommend giving up after 20 mins if the sleep's not really happening and distracting yourself before trying again. When I was really stressed I used to get up at 2am or 3am because I thought I'd heard the door bell but there was never anyone there ! [Unless you live on my street and were playing a prank on me every night.....................] I hope Scotty responds to you as he has more experience on this issue. Adios, David. PS Caffeine, even after 4pm, can stimulate the sensitive and make sleep impossible. You're NOT a victim here. You just need a few strategies. We are all sick on this site ! (No big deal). It's how you react to the stress that makes the difference. When you grandstand and make the problem even more worse than it is, i.e. AND SPEND THE REST OF MY LIFE ON DRUGS, (shock, horror) you are totally missing the alternative point which is to take things slowly, a day at a time, thinking and appraising what helps and what sucks (possibly my response !) so that THE REAL YOU gets to understand and accept the subconcious reasons for your anxiety. This could take a while to get to grips with but you'll finally gain some insight and control. Your health needs to go from a huge debt to your emotions to a compound interest loan that just builds on the yearly achievements but makes you a solid investment as a human. To use the banking analogy. (Or attempt to). I am a musician so forgive me. But we both work with notes !!!</div>", "date": "05-02-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/severe-anxiety/td-p/54519" }, { "author": "user-id/10060", "content": "Originally posted by: <strong>stephen</strong> on <strong>5 February 2013</strong><br><br>Hi Mahtab,\n\nThere are alternatives to medication.\n\nAre you seeing a psychologist to teach you coping mechanisms for the anxiety? And to also discuss the stress you have been under.\n\nAlso are you doing any exercise? It is very good for anxiety.\n\nStephen</div>", "date": "05-02-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/severe-anxiety/td-p/54519" }, { "author": "user-id/10060", "content": "Originally posted by: <strong>Mahtab</strong> on <strong>6 February 2013</strong><br><br>thank you to both of you for your replies. It helps to know there are people who care...\n\ni do exercise, I visit the gym few times a week and I eat healthy as well, however the anxiety still creeps up on me. I have spoken to psychologists before, but I am too ashamed to talk about my problems, I am too afraid to let go and let it all out. \n\nI understand what you mean about delving deeper and trying to figure out the underlying issues causing this behaviour, but I can't move forward no ,after what I do. Some days I feel like ending my life, I have no hope for the future and I don't feel cared for enough by the ones around me. I think if I go it will be much better and I will be free of everything, I can't let go of the pain.. I agree medication is good but long term I have heard benzodiazepines are very addictive and I refrain most days from taking them as I am scared of becoming tolerant and becoming addicted,\n\nAs others on this website may agree, I just wish I could wake up one day and feel normal, be normal.....\n\nMahtab xo</div>", "date": "06-02-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/severe-anxiety/td-p/54519" }, { "author": "user-id/10060", "content": "Originally posted by: <strong>David Charles</strong> on <strong>7 February 2013</strong><br><br>Dear Muhtab, .......\"and one day wake up normal\"......made me think that if you produce your own Bollywood film then you can be guaranteed of a happy ending, so to speak. I don't think you have to delve too deep - a good hour with a decent counselor can be just the tonic for some anxious people (or film stars). Also, cutting the grass is a great release. There's a lot of attention given to sweaty men and it's a great contrast to you sedentary bank job. Just try anything different. Change your furniture around. Sing in the shower. It'll release brain patterns to challenge and release the angst. Adios, David. PS And if the suicide thoughts persist at least write a bucket list and grab some madness amongst the sadness.</div>", "date": "07-02-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/severe-anxiety/td-p/54519" }, { "author": "user-id/10060", "content": "Originally posted by: <strong>Steph</strong> on <strong>7 February 2013</strong><br><br>What a terrible situation you are going through, it breaks my heart that people can't enjoy life and live with these mental disorders. I myself have chronic anxiety and also been diagnosed with chronic depression in the past. I honestly think the best thing to do is to go talk to a professional about what you are feeling, don't be ashamed; so many people live with these diseases. I went on medication for anxiety for a couple for months and came off it as the side effects were terrible. I've last 8 months and just last week had a anxiety attack where the ambulance is called. I was trying so hard to be strong, but sometimes you really need help. It's not a sign of weekness, or doesn't change who you are. I'm about to start new medication again tomorrow so wish me luck <span class=\"lia-unicode-emoji\" title=\":slightly_smiling_face:\">🙂</span></div>", "date": "07-02-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/severe-anxiety/td-p/54519" }, { "author": "user-id/10060", "content": "Originally posted by: <strong>hayley</strong> on <strong>7 February 2013</strong><br><br>Hi there,\n\nI was just reading your post. I am currently teaching a class on anxiety and was interested to know more about it so that I could use information to add to the teaching. \n\nI was struck by your mesg and realized how debilitating anxiety can be. What we teach in the classes is that our problems of anxiety, stress, worry and fear are all coming from within our mind therefore the real way to deal with these problems is to use meditation to train out of negative thinking. Often our mind gets stuck on the negative (our imagination often goes into overdrive) until we have fully exaggerated the situation and it causes anxiety and worry. The way to really solve this problem is to use mindfulness and change our way of thinking - make our habit positive thinking. Meditaiton definitely helps so I would highly recommend you try it.\n\nOften when we have these problems we think we are alone however if you ask most people you will find that they ALL experience stress, anxiety and worry to some degree. This can help us to understand that we are not the only one that suffers and help us get a better perspective of the situation.\n\nAnyway, I really hope everything works out for you. I suffered from depression for a long time and used meditation and Buddhist teachings on controlling the mind to re-train my thinking. I refused to use medication as well but I think it can be helpful in some severe cases. Ultimately though, if we want to stop these problems then we need to re-train our way of thinking.\n\nI really hope this helps in some way and don't give up!!! You are not your anxiety and one day you will be free of it ;-)\n\nhayley</div>", "date": "07-02-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/severe-anxiety/td-p/54519" }, { "author": "user-id/10060", "content": "Originally posted by: <strong>mahtab</strong> on <strong>8 February 2013</strong><br><br>Thank you so much for your replies.\n\nDavid, your response made me laugh. Thankyou, and yes I agree.. I think I need to change my environment also, I have moved interstate away from my family and I think I'm not giving myself time to settle in.. I think I really do need some excitment, i feel like life is such a drone and a problem...\n\nSteph, i totally understand what you're going through, and thank you for your understanding. It really is difficult isnt it? and it doesn't help when people around you just don't understand, people at my work, and around me just say \"omg, stop thinking so much!\" and \"you're doing it yourself\" (i hate that!!!) Thank you for the support and encouraging me to not feel ashamed, its so hard because I come from a middle eastern background and people judge you so quickly and easily over anything and everything and I'm soo used to being judged and talked about that I have become the type where the smallest thing will get to me and I'll end up in the hospital from axiety it sucks :(\nI hope things get better for you also, and good luck for your new medication, wish you all the best and thankyou again for writing and helping me see that I'm not the only one out there with this debilitating illness xo\n\nHayley, your classes sound very interesting, it would be so good to check them out and good on you for running them..Yes i agree anxiety is very debilitating, It makes me want to hide away from the world to avoid panicking in public and looking like an idiot..Meditation is a fantastic thing, I like to listen to the sound of waves through youtube or rainfall and that helps me to calm down..I commend you on working through your anxiety and getting through it without the constant use of medication.. it seems to be the easiest way through it..The problem with my case is that I have always had a positive mind but out of nowhere it has struck me, somedays i will think im happy and then suddenely I can't breathe. I don't understand the concept of anxiety and it is driving me crazy!!! \nIt mainly hits me when Im around a bunch of people and it is the strangest feeling, like i am not in my body, i am detached and i am listening to the conversation through someone else or something, i must sound so crazy!! I don't know how to explain it, it makes me want to cry thinking about it, i feel like i am mental or something\nThank you for your support and understanding and positive encouragement it really really helps to know i am not alone..I just hope one day with the help of time, medication and positivity everyone can work through this illness xo</div>", "date": "08-02-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/severe-anxiety/td-p/54519" }, { "author": "user-id/10060", "content": "Originally posted by: <strong>Scotty</strong> on <strong>8 February 2013</strong><br><br>Hi Mahtab I hear you loud n clear Anxiety is very debilitating, Panic Attacks, Agora. Benzo's are ok really I've been on them for a good 20yrs i think, They get a bad rap like other things, but used properly can help you. I think Addiction Vs Functional you know, if it allows me the drug to get out , well so be it. You can take them PRN like not everyday.... Nocturnal PA are horrible 3am nothing worse than waking up to one of them... Goodluck TC</div>", "date": "08-02-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/severe-anxiety/td-p/54519" }, { "author": "user-id/10060", "content": "Originally posted by: <strong>Mahtab</strong> on <strong>9 February 2013</strong><br><br>Hi Scotty,\nThank you for your reply. I've never had Benzo's before, are they anti-depressants or calming medication? I totally get what you mean about waking up to panic attacks in the middle of the night, when the whole world is sleeping, and negative thoughts are like \"end of the world\" thoughts. So horrible <span class=\"lia-unicode-emoji\" title=\":disappointed_face:\">😞</span> And you just can't calm down no matter what you do. I feel like my jaw will break some nights from how bad my teeth chatter it's scary...</div>", "date": "09-02-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/severe-anxiety/td-p/54519" }, { "author": "user-id/10060", "content": "Originally posted by: <strong>Mahtab</strong> on <strong>5 February 2013</strong><br><br>I am a 25 year old psychology student that cannot get rid of constant negative thoughts &amp; continuing panic attacks. I work in a bank as a teller and every day is a struggle to get up and get dressed as I fear what the day has in store for me. Back in 2007 my parents split and it was a messy divorce resulting in me being stuck in the middle, then in 2010, I witnessed someone get murdered and since then my anxiety has increased immensely. \n\nI constantly feel something bad is going to happen, I'm scared of big crowds, I think sooo negatively to the point where I start suffocating and almost choking. When im in public, i get this feeling that im detached from my body and my throat starts closing up. I shake to the point where my jaw feels like its going to break in half. I have a phobia of being sick which is on my mind 24/7. I never have a proper nights sleep unless the night before I stay awake until early morning and tire myself, I'm waking up every night around same time 2,3am and I start panicking for no apparent reason.\n\nI'm so sick of being sick! There is always always always something wrong with me, either headache or I'm tired or fatigued or moody, and I'm losing the ones I love because I keep snapping at them.\nI just want to be panic free and live a happy life but the only way I can do that is if I live on medication for the rest of my life <span class=\"lia-unicode-emoji\" title=\":disappointed_face:\">😞</span> <span class=\"lia-unicode-emoji\" title=\":disappointed_face:\">😞</span> <span class=\"lia-unicode-emoji\" title=\":disappointed_face:\">😞</span></div>", "date": "05-02-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/severe-anxiety/td-p/54519/page/2" }, { "author": "user-id/10060", "content": "Originally posted by: <strong>David Charles</strong> on <strong>9 February 2013</strong><br><br>Dear Mahtab, What is the important thing ? With regards to getting anxious around friends ? Anyone ? Adios, David.</div>", "date": "09-02-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/severe-anxiety/td-p/54519/page/2" }, { "author": "user-id/10060", "content": "Originally posted by: <strong>geoff</strong> on <strong>10 February 2013</strong><br><br>dear Mahtab, this has been a good topic to read and very interesting, with some great ideas. David Charles has asked the question ' getting anxious around friends', well there has always been a 'pecking order' and whether it's from a working environment, family or with friends, it maybe out in the open or it maybe hidden, it doesn't really matter because both can cause a lot of damage. The dominant person who always wants to be number one will do anything to achieve their goal, stepping on anyone who steps in their way, and this can be done by making up stories, or to deliberately put something in action which will make sure that someone will fail or embarrass themselves. They will also be the loud one at any function behaving like' Les Patterson' trying to steal the show, criticising or making fun of whom they ever like. All of this then creates social anxiety. Geoff.</div>", "date": "10-02-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/severe-anxiety/td-p/54519/page/2" }, { "author": "user-id/10060", "content": "Originally posted by: <strong>Scotty</strong> on <strong>10 February 2013</strong><br><br>Hi again Mahtab, well benzo's act a little differently than Anti D..example many long acting ones, do calm you down from a PA. Long as you take as prescribed though, it can really help, mostly short term, or you can take as needed. Anti D is more everyday, all are with some side effects though, but you need to weight up pro's cons, they wont cure you per say of Anxiety, but can help with crisis or to get over a hurdle. The best long term approach is things like CBT/Mindfulness, getting better sleep.. but if your to anxious to put this into practice , this is where i find they can help. Anxiety can get exhausting very, and sometimes you just need to break that cycle..Personally I have found Anti D' not to helpful for myself on the Anxiety front and am looking at a more long term approach like the therapy. There is some things that can help with nocturnal PA like no coffee late, horror movies, managing stress levels better, I find if i don't stay on top of those things they can hit with a vengeance. There is a good website you can get some info on this stuff, if you gooogle...( get self help.co. uk.) TC <span class=\"lia-unicode-emoji\" title=\":slightly_smiling_face:\">🙂</span></div>", "date": "10-02-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/severe-anxiety/td-p/54519/page/2" }, { "author": "user-id/10060", "content": "Originally posted by: <strong>Mahtab</strong> on <strong>10 February 2013</strong><br><br>Dear David, to be honest I'm not 100% certain. \nI have a lot of insecurities about myself, I've been judged my whole life by my parents, relatives, friends, the community, etc and I guess it's become like a second nature, I'm not happy with who I am, the choices iv taken in the past, and where I have ended up today as a person from it. The negative anxious person I become.\nWhen I'm in public around friends, I see them and hear their stories and I think why can't I live a life like that why can't I be happy with myself it's not fair I don't get it <span class=\"lia-unicode-emoji\" title=\":disappointed_face:\">😞</span> I know everyone has problems and there are people worse off than me but I just hate my life, and I hate myself.... \nIm not a jealous person but around others I feel like I wish I was like them, I wish I had that or this... Thinking about it so much I zone out of the conversation and I feel my throat closing up....\nI'm always self conscious even though i am fit, healthy and take care of my appearance, nothing ever makes me feel good and I don't understand it anymore...</div>", "date": "10-02-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/severe-anxiety/td-p/54519/page/2" }, { "author": "user-id/10060", "content": "Originally posted by: <strong>David Charles</strong> on <strong>10 February 2013</strong><br><br>Dear Mahtab, You are writing to me and others on the Bulletin Board as though we are friends. Your ability to define your anxiety is awesome. Geoff is on the money re: friends and their sometime competitive nature. But if dealing with yourself, friends, the Universe, the Black Hole that astronomists have yet to discover and call \"Boris\" is becoming an obsession then I beg you to simply be a friend to yourself. The baggage you are carrying is worthy of counselling. Woody Allen still sees his psychiatrist 3 times a week despite a successful film career and publicly dealing with his parents in various celluloid manners. And you know a good Bollywood film trounces a Woody Allen comedy anyday so you have to consider getting some professional help to carry that burden. Your parents and friends probably need to move on too. Or at least treat you like a mature adult. But you have to present yourself in the same manner in which you are responding on this site. We've all been in that dark side. Put it this way, would you like to pay your emotional and mental power bill ? Adios, David. PS Apologies if I am in metaphor city tonight. My new BB responders GPS narrator used to work for lego !</div>", "date": "10-02-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/severe-anxiety/td-p/54519/page/2" }, { "author": "user-id/10060", "content": "Originally posted by: <strong>Stephen</strong> on <strong>10 February 2013</strong><br><br>Dear mahtab,\nOne thing screams out at me from your postings.\"I witnessed a murder\" this screams PTSD or post traumatic stress disorder at me. I think you should deal with this issue first of all and then maybe your parents separation after that. You must go on the search for a psychiatrist or psychologist that can help you with cbt. You must talk out these experiences and receive good advice on how to deal with issues. There are amazing mental health professionals out there but you. Must go on a journey to find them. The search tool on this website would be a good start. Medicare will cover the cost of seeing mental health professionals. I wish you all the best mahtab. I hope you can find the ability to communicate your trauma and that a good mentalhealthprofessional will put you on the path to good mental health. Please let us know how you go.</div>", "date": "10-02-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/severe-anxiety/td-p/54519/page/2" }, { "author": "user-id/10060", "content": "Originally posted by: <strong>Mahtab</strong> on <strong>11 February 2013</strong><br><br>Thank you both Geoff and Scotty for writing to me. I agree about the social anxiety topic, but what am I supposed to do? I feel like I am always attracting these people. People that step on me and take advantage because I am too kind and scared to stand up. I don't think it's the fact that they make up stories, I just think I am so unhappy within myself that I am negative about everything with myself and envious of others who don't even know the meaning of anxiety. \nI have found laughter is a very good medicine, it really is. When I'm around positive people I'm on top of the world. But negativity is always in the back of my head. :(\nI don't understand this. I don't know if I belong in a crazy house. \nScotty, I am very afraid of going on anti-depressant. I have heard the side effects are horrific and especially coming off of them?\nIt's a very sad feeling when you feel like nobody cares about you... One of the worst feelings... I wonder if anti-depressants help you to not care? \nIf this is the case, I will go on them straight away. My problem is I care too much about everything....Always wondering what will my father think if I drop out of uni? What will he think if i quit my job? This is the father that has never helped me in my life. But i still care? its so messed up.\ni am just afraid, a very frightened 25 year old....that feels like she's 10 years of age and feels like there's no way out but eternal freedom <span class=\"lia-unicode-emoji\" title=\":disappointed_face:\">😞</span></div>", "date": "11-02-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/severe-anxiety/td-p/54519/page/2" }, { "author": "user-id/10060", "content": "Originally posted by: <strong>Scotty</strong> on <strong>11 February 2013</strong><br><br>Hi Mahtab what you describe is what many with anxiety feel. Why can't i have that like they do?, no doubt some people get more help than others, maybe inheritance, or good solid support but at the end of the day we have only the cards where dealt with. I don't think comparing ourselves is going to help huh?, Plus things don't always appear as they seem.. I do understand though, struggle is a struggle and it gets damn hard sometimes you just want to throw in the towel..Keep at those thoughts that's the only thing that will help! TC</div>", "date": "11-02-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/severe-anxiety/td-p/54519/page/2" }, { "author": "user-id/10060", "content": "Originally posted by: <strong>David Charles</strong> on <strong>11 February 2013</strong><br><br>Dear Mahtab, \"MY FATHER HAS NEVER HELPED ME IN HIS HOLE LIFE\". There's the link with the other phrase picked up \"I WITNESSED A MURDER\". Both events were things you had no control over or you wanted a better result. Better to have parents that don't judge but are unconditional in their love. You also mention that your fear your father's acceptance of possible uni failure (as an ex). Have you got two fathers ? Or one very passive aggressive one - telling you off for \"failure\" at uni (although he probably would have a better relationship with you if he just loved you, uni or not). And the other - telling you NOTHING as he \"has never helped me in his life\" ? That's a lot of conflict in a primary relationship. No wonder you feel a bit trapped and have a constant struggle to maintain relationships. I hope a light bulb goes off in your head when you consider this perception from an equally mentally challenged individual with, again, a father that didn't care much except when he wanted to confuse, corrupt and court martial me. Took me a while to move on - these father types tend to have a better relationship with their grandchildren, second time around and all that. My dad always says \"I wished I'd spent more time with David\". Now just add !!!!!!! to that sentence for some therapeutic value. Adios, David. PS You are healing many others with your communication about these issues Mahtab. I salute you (not Bollywood style). Ha !</div>", "date": "11-02-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/severe-anxiety/td-p/54519/page/2" }, { "author": "user-id/10060", "content": "Originally posted by: <strong>Mahtab</strong> on <strong>12 February 2013</strong><br><br>Thank you to all of u who wrote a response to me. The only reason why I present myself like I am friends with everyone on this site I guess is because of my nature and its just who I am... I should really present myself in reality as the strong person I appear to be, but sometimes it's just way too hard. Anyhow, I agree with everyone's perspectives, I do need counselling, I just hope and pray I can find the strength to go forward and admit that I need it and be a friend to myself and assist my future. I just hope I can get these suicidal thoughts out of my mind ASAP \n:(\nI am relieved to know I am not alone. Thank you again to you all</div>", "date": "12-02-2013", "url": "https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/severe-anxiety/td-p/54519/page/2" } ]