New here!

[Anita_C]

Hello,

I’m new and am just trying this out to see if it can help me. Have been feeling confused and down and it’s hard to talk to friends and family. I’m trying to learn how to chill out (it’s really hard).

[KD1996]

I'm here if you need someone to talk to Kinda down today. Just had my anxiety attack an hour ago and i'm at work so it's really hard for me. I have no friends around also so I think talking to you would make me feel a little better

[Anita_C in reply to KD1996]

Hi! I’m sorry about the anxiety attack, I know how it feels. I just feel down for no reason at all and I feel so confused.

[Florida1959 in reply to KD1996]

Hugs on the way x

[UkuleleBrie14]

Don’t worry! I’m new here too. I joined because I have a panic disorder, so I have panic attacks any time of day. One tip that I have used lately is the 5-Spot technique. Find 5 things you can see, 4 things you can touch, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can taste, and 1 thing you can smell. Also, try to explain to your friends about your anxiety. I made a list explaining what my panic disorder did to me, how my friends could identify that I’m having an anxiety attack, and how they can help me. All of my friends were very grateful and they have truly saved me a few times.

[Anita_C in reply to UkuleleBrie14]

Thank you for responding. I really love that tip. Ivebeen doing 3 sounds 3 colors but I like yours better and will start doing it. Thank you

[Florida1959]

Morning, we are where firceach other, and we don’t judge, tell me a bit about yourself, tell me one good thing, x

[Anita_C in reply to Florida1959]

Hi! Well I’m trying to be positive this year and it’s been going ok I guess. Every negative thought I have I try to counteract with a positive. Thank you

[Florida1959 in reply to Anita_C]

That is wonderful, I am finding staying positive, much better recently, keep it up, xxx

[Florida1959 in reply to Anita_C]

How are you xxx

[Anita_C in reply to Florida1959]

Hi!

To be completely honest not that good. I felt really bad today so my boyfriend took me out and made me feel much better, but now I’m alone again... I think tomorrow will be better.

How are you?

[Florida1959 in reply to Anita_C]

I am good, been away walking to Yorkshire and with 4 dogs to help out. Busy lol 😂, how are you today x

[Florida1959 in reply to Anita_C]

Just popping by to say hello x

[KD1996]

I just recently had this anxiety. I've always had the fear of people leaving me. I get paranoid everytime my friends start to meet other people and spend more time with them than me. They say i'm a good person but i don't see why people just stop hanging out with me. Now, i am miles away from home and i don't have anyone to talk to. I don't call my friends because i'm afraid that they would be bothered by my anxiety and leave me again. I have a girlfriend and i get anxious everytime i see her text other people. I'm not accusing her of cheating or anything. I'm just afraid that she would leave me because i'm always this anxious person who gets all weird. i really wanna overcome this anxiety to prevent people from thinking that i'm not a fun person. I've always had great attachment to people so it gets hard for me when they start leaving me.

[Anita_C in reply to KD1996]

I’vebeen in a similar situation and what helped me was removing all the what if thoughts and just communicating lot with my friends. If a person obviously doesn’t talk to you or make time for you then they aren’t meant to be in your life. What helped me was opening up about my problems so maybe call up a friend once a week just to check in or talk to your girlfriend about how you feel. Real friends are there for each other.

[Hidden]

Hiya, sorry to hear about your current difficulties. The more you communicate with others, the more you will learn and, hopefully, understand. Also, using this forum can reduce any feelings of isolation, as, in my experience, the members are very supportive and reassuring. Take care,

[DragonTears]

Hi Anita,

Welcome to the forum! I am sure you will find a lot of helpful people and interesting reads on here.

I am sorry you are feeling like you are. Have you tried to talk to your family and friends and had a bad reception from them? or ignorance? or is it more that you don't know how to talk about this situation? Perhaps you don't want to burden them, worry them or make them think you are being dramatic. There are so many reasons why, sometimes, our friends and families are not the best people to speak to, initially anyway, but they may also surprise you.

I would love to know more about your situation, if you want to share. Have you been feeling like this for a long time? have you got a history of depression/anxiety or any such like? have you ever or are you receiving any kind of medical or therapeutical support?

You say you have to chill out...I would rather say you need to deal with it head on. Don't ignore it (you are not as you are on this forum) don't belittle it and don't fear it. Our minds need help sometimes too, just like the rest of our bodies. What does chill out even mean? Happy to talk more if you want! Take Care!

[Anita_C in reply to DragonTears]

Thank you for your response! My family doesn’t really take my feelings into account. One side is Latino and if you know anything about us is that we don’t really believe anything can be wrong mentally or emotionally( older generations of course) and they always tell me I’m normal and fine and it’s just life. They say I don’t need medication or doctor because Americans are too dependent on them and it’s bad. My other side of family doesn’t listen to me and I feel like I bother/annoy them more than anything. They call me dramatic all the time and my mom says I’m a hypochondriac.

I have had anxiety since around middle school with anxiety attacks and stress induced migraines. I have gone to therapy but not because of the above but because my parents believed I was in an abusive relationship. Other than a couple months at the therapist I haven’t talked to any professional person about anything. I haven’t been professionally diagnosed and idk if it’s depression but last year I had my hardest year with suicidal thoughts and I did things that weren’t me. But again, I was neverdiagnosed so I don’t know.

[DragonTears in reply to Anita_C]

Hey Anita,

Thanks for sharing! My family is Estonian and they are totally the same. It took them years to accept that I was not making it up, being dramatic or just seeking attention. In fact, they didn't accept it until my dad went though a very low period and was diagnosed, then he started to change and see things differently. You know yourself better than anyone else. Only you can truly tell if you are feeling well or not. You clearly are not, that much is clear, but don't let the opinions of your parents and others stop you from seeking help. They are not doctors, so they can talk but end of the day, you need to look after number 1. What's the worst that can happen if you go? they say that you are fine? but what is the worst thing that can happen if you don't go? well, in your own words, you have had suicidal thoughts, so I think that is clear. This makes your situation life-threatening, whether people around you believe it or not. There is no reason for you to suffer when there is help. Make that appointment and just be really honest with the doctor. Not sure if you are still living at home? but do your parents need to know if you are on medication? you do have a private life even from your family (assuming you are not under aged of course). Your family seems caring as they seemed to have had your back when they thought you were in an abusive relationship, so maybe given time, they'll come around? after all, parents want their kids to be healthy and happy...and we in this forum want you to be healthy and happy too!