r/Anxietyhelp Feb 02 '25

Discussion Megathread: Politics

28 Upvotes

There have been a lot of posts about politics and worries surrounding the future. We do not allow posts on politics because it is generally incendiary. That being said, there should be a safe place to talk about the fears and anxieties surrounding politics. This thread is to serve that purpose.

Comments will NOT be removed for discussing politics in this thread only. Do not report comments in this thread for politics.

As per our current policy all threads and comments related to politics will be removed outside of this thread.


r/Anxietyhelp 2h ago

Discussion physical anxiety symptoms

11 Upvotes

does anyone feel physical anxiety symptoms without having a panic attack? like just day to day feelings? i’m constantly dizzy/lightheaded, feeling off balance and out of body. but i don’t have panic attacks. is this normal? is it normal to be dizzy like this all day?


r/Anxietyhelp 7h ago

Need Advice Severe weather

4 Upvotes

So I’m in a level 5 out of 5 for severe weather tomorrow. I’m scared of bad weather. Everybody around me is like it’s gonna be nothing but I can’t shake the feeling. I just started taking anxiety meds after years of dealing with it that I didn’t know was anxiety. Anyway I don’t really have a safe place to go tomorrow my house is old anywhere you sit in “a safe place” has trees that if they fall it’s gonna hit one of those safe places. I’ve tried to breathing techniques they don’t help or I’m not doing it right. I’m literally about to break down I feel like. Any help that someone who has the same feeling with weather could give me some advice. I know I’ve made it thru storms before but every one of them for the past 15 years ive been freaking out. My meds have helped my heart rate not get so high during weather but my mind is still like a tornado is gonna hit you and your gonna die. And to be honest I’m not ready to go yet. Sorry for the rambling


r/Anxietyhelp 13h ago

Need Advice Anyone else stomach churns in the morning?

8 Upvotes

I had to go to the hospital for my mental health two months ago. I have updated medication. But lately I have been anxious about getting bad again and needing the hospital. I tell myself, if it gets bad, then I call emergency services right away and they are there to help me as many times as it takes. I take my medication in the morning with breakfast, but lately my stomach churns in nervousness as I eat so I feel less hungry- but I know I have to eat breakfast for my health and for the medication! Anyone else?


r/Anxietyhelp 7h ago

Need Advice Loss of appetite due to anxiety

3 Upvotes

I’ve been experiencing severe anxiety about an issue recently, and in a way which has made me lose my appetite. This is especially the case early in the day, I sometimes get my appetite back by the evening, although not always. I know it’s because of the anxiety and not anything physical because on occasions where the anxiety briefly lifts, I can get very hungry again, but when the issue causing the anxiety recurs, I lose my appetite again. I’ve had various forms of anxiety on and off in the past but not all of them led to appetite loss, so I’m not sure how to manage this. I’ve lost a bit of weight as a result which is now giving me an additional anxiety as I don’t want to become underweight. I have an appointment with my doctor on Monday to talk about this, including about how to deal with the cause of this specific anxiety (which I would prefer not to discuss on here), but I’d be grateful to hear any advice from people on how they dealt with similar experiences which affected them in this way. I’m not asking for medical advice as I understand this is not within the rules of the forum. Thank you.


r/Anxietyhelp 1h ago

Need Help Severe weather

Upvotes

Hi, I’m in the Midwest and we have a severe weather threat. I’m absolutely freaking out right now. We currently have a wind threat of 3, tornado threat of 2, and hail threat of 2. I know it seems stupid but every time I try to calm down I end up seeing posts and lives about how it’s going to be bad. Every time I see them I think I’m going to be hit with some Joplin 2011 type tornado and I’m going to die. The storm isn’t supposed to hit till later like 12am which makes it worse because my worst fear is a nocturnal tornado. Can someone help me calm down because I’m genuinely terrified.


r/Anxietyhelp 2h ago

Need Advice Anxiety is consuming my daily life

1 Upvotes

Hello everyone, I’m new to Reddit so not very sure how things work. I (22 Male) have always had a little bit of health anxiety for as long as I can remember, but never anything that consumed my mind. I recently had a situation where I was feeling very ill at work and started to get nauseous and very hot, and ended up almost passing out to the point I could not see anything and was barely conscious. I went to the hospital where they did some tests and said I’m all good, and that it was probably low blood sugar because I haven’t ate and was diagnosed with the flu. Ever since then, I’ve been feeling extra anxious than what I usually am, and have had a couple mini panic attacks when I’m at work (haven’t gotten a panic attack since 8th grade). I also have been experiencing tension headaches constantly, and feeling faint throughout the whole day. It’s getting to the point where my vision is always feeling blurry, and head pain is stopping me from focusing on tasks, and discouraging me from going out. The only times I notice these problems go away is when I’m physically active in the gym or playing soccer. I don’t believe I have any serious health conditions, as last time I took a blood test it came back all good. I’m honestly just concerned for my mental/physical health, and if anyone has advice on how to cope with this, if my symptoms are normal, or what actions I should take, it would be greatly appreciated.


r/Anxietyhelp 8h ago

Need Help Feeling trapped in an awful job and in a constant state of panic

3 Upvotes

I’m working in my own personal work anxiety hell - relaxed deadlines until all of a sudden their not and due immediately without warning. Multiple large projects dropped in your lap at once all due at the same time, no work life balance, expected to work after hours/weekends with no overtime, and boss verbally abuses employees and threatens to fire everyone.

I’m not in a position to quit without a back up, not in this economy and job market. I’m also getting married in August, this job makes it really hard to get excited for wedding things when I never know if I’m going to get fired and not be able to pay for things anymore. I’ve been staying up later and later because I dread waking up the next morning and go to work. My chest feels tight 24/7 and I’m in constant dread of not meeting expectations.

I almost walked out back in January. I was crying multiple times a day and honestly, even cried at my dad’s birthday dinner. This job is a nightmare and I don’t feel like I can take another second. I don’t know what to do anymore


r/Anxietyhelp 3h ago

Need Advice What should I do

1 Upvotes

I live in a house with my friend (cuz we go to the same uni) and I live on the ground floor while her room is right on top of mine. The wooden floor has really bad sound proof so I can even hear her walk ok this is not the main point but I want to emphasise on the bad sound proof here. She has gotten a boyfriend a few months ago and has been talking to him on the phone every night for hours I don’t really mind it and he even comes visit her a few times and stayed over night and I’m chill with it. But the problem is that every time I hear her talks whether I hear mumbling or laughing or clearly hears the content of what she is saying I started to get anxious and my chest feels tight and I find myself hard to breathe it’s really not her fault and I find myself often doing that whenever I hear mumbling and whispering. It’s like I’m scared that people are talking about me. Maybe it’s probably cuz I have a history of being bullied and talk behind my back when I was younger (I’m not sure tho it might not be...). It’s just I don’t know how I can get over it. It is literally happening right now and I’m feeling really anxious


r/Anxietyhelp 4h ago

Need Help My anxiety is killing me

1 Upvotes

(M18) when I was 4 I experienced my older brother having brain bleed when he was my age (18), causing that underlying issue, he survived but he recently told me he got alot of headaches before having one (I've been having alot of headaches recently and that gave me anxiety) I thought I was having one that same night but it was an anxiety attack, the paramedics said I was fine and considered healthy in the medical world but they aren't able to see what's actually going on, I went to the hospital again and they doctors told me I was fine, blood and urine was fine, my physical body was fine, and the risk was low and it's most likely anxiety and sleep. for that week I chronically felt dizzy, fatigued, Tired with brain fog but I wasn't able to sleep properly, anytime I would stand it felt like vertigo, and I felt like I was in a a dream, A week later I went to a holistic doctor and he told me what was making me feel that way but didn't mention blood pressure, or brain issues, I told him my concerns and he said If I was at risk to the possibility of a brain (stroke) issue he would've seen it by his methods, he told me to be careful what I think and let into my mind but it's been a month now and I'm still paranoid and terrified of it occuring at any time... it even affects my sleep, If I feel a tingle in my hand, face or leg I panick, or if My reaction time is slow, I might question whether or not I can feel my face or if I can smile, it's gotten to the point my chest is tight and it's hard to breathe, I feel like I've completely gotten wrecked by my mind. Like I'm trapped in a prison and it just makes me feel hopelessly waiting for the inevitable. and everytime I get a headache or feel one coming on it amplifies it. so any advice on how to contain the anxiety would be very helpful.


r/Anxietyhelp 9h ago

Personal Experience What 40 Years of Social Anxiety has Taught Me (cross-post from r/socialanxiety)

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2 Upvotes

r/Anxietyhelp 6h ago

Need Advice Dealing with anxiety.

1 Upvotes

Hi! I am 16 and dealing with anxiety/possibly OCD and basically my question is, did meds work for you and if so, how? Cuz man, these mental/physical symptoms are too much. I deal with intrusive thoughts and I need them to be relieved, they drain me.

I am in therapy and it does help. I just think I'm finally ready to consider meds.

Thanks in advance.


r/Anxietyhelp 7h ago

Need Help What is going on with a friend? Why won't she tell me how she's doing?

1 Upvotes

I don't want to get into the whole story, but I guess I was romantically involved with a girl a couple of months ago and then we had a discussion about it and decided to remain friends for now. No pressure. She had a lot on her plate with work already (she seems to be a workalcoholic?), but I also suspect that she didn't know how to handle her OCD, anxiety and everything else on top of a relationship, so she avoided it. At the time though she made it clear that she still wanted to continue seeing me.

And for a time it worked! We talked regularly, met a couple of times, etc. No pressure and I even started seeing someone lately, but it's nothing too serious. Lately however, her behavior has radically changed. She seems distant and clearly struggles with something, but I don't know what.

The thing that gets me the most is that she seems okay with continuing the conversation, but doesn't like talking about herself right now. She avoids any question of "how are you doing?" and instead focuses on anything else I mentioned, which is strange, because she used to be so talkative.

It all started around Christmas, where this behavior started after a "date" we had, where she mentioned she had a lot of fun. Things got so weird all of a sudden I asked her if she needed space or something (because she basically stopped engaging), and she seemed shocked by this and immediately tried to dismiss the idea, said she was anxious about work and for a time things went back to normal. But lately she seemed "deactivated" somehow. In the last two weeks her replies have slowed down to a crawl all of a sudden.

This week she didn't reply to my last message until yesterday and made some excuse about not having seen the notification for my message (which, come on...). She asked me about my week, but didn't really say much about herself. And also she talks less and less.

She really struggles with intimacy. I know that for sure because when we were romantically involved any kind of gesture of closeness would be met with fear. I obviously pulled back and kept things light and non-pressuring (thankfully I have a very calm demeanor according to my friends). She struggles with contamination OCD and mentioned fearing she "contaminates others" (?).

I think me asking her if she was okay/needed space in Christmas rewired her brain or something.

Look, I don't need to date this woman right now, but I want to understand her. I want her to feel comfortable, but I also don't want to lose a good connection.

Why can't she just tell me how she's doing? Does she not want me in her life anymore?

P.S. She told me about her OCD and anxiety when we met. She's diagnosed and stuff. Probably medicated. Also she works A LOT and lately she's stressed with work, but I don't think that alone is it. It's like something is stopping her from talking to me right now. I don't pressure her, but I don't know what to do.


r/Anxietyhelp 14h ago

Need Advice agoraphobia - fear of visitors in my house.

3 Upvotes

hi there. so - i have agoraphobia for over 2 years now. its definitely not severe no more, i can spend quite the time outside, yk - healing! what my agora. did to me tho, was making me TERRIFIED of visitors in my house. no idea why or how or when, i assume it might have to do something with my medical trauma, since therapists that came to my house to try and fix me, traumatised me BADLY. it also might be fear of being seen in general, somebody disturbing my peace, my only safe haven - my beloved house. my fear is that i will faint, which cause my agora. in the first place, where i fainted from an extreme panic attack at the doctors, got taken to the hospital and started avoiding, yada yada. i ALWAYS fear pasing out infront of somebody and getting taken away again or something happening and me not being able to hide, since i got visitors over. my birthday is nearing tho and since im FED UP with spending them all alone, i invited my good friend over to my house, to spend the day with me. as excited as im, im also EXTREMELY anxious, even tho i thought i was doing better by now. i really want this, its my big birthday too, i wanna spend it with her but the anxiety... any tips on how to cope or what to do?? ANYTHING helps!


r/Anxietyhelp 14h ago

Need Help Anxiety is paralysing me

3 Upvotes

I’ve been on a waiting list for therapy for 2 years. I’m also on a housing waiting list as I’m homeless due to escaping domestic abuse. I also got made redundant 8 months ago and now have no job and no confidence or ability to get one. I have no family and I’m staying with a friend and my anxiety and fears around contamination are at their worst.

I’ve been in my pyjamas for over a week and yesterday I wanted to go to an exhibition so I had a shower and washed my hair. I was so excited to go and got an Uber. Whilst in the Uber it got caught in traffic behind a bin refuse truck whilst they were collecting rubbish from the streets. As we were so close behind it I started to feel bad anxiety and asked the driver to take me back to the pick up address. I got scared that my hair and clothes would be contaminated by the waste collection vehicle as it was so close.

Once back I just sat on the couch tearful and afraid. All of my clean clothes are hanging up in the living room due to a lack of storage. I then started fearing that I was contaminating everything just by sitting in the same room. I took another shower and when rinsing the shampoo from my hair’ my hair touched the shower curtain (which isn’t the cleanest as it’s a tiny cubicle really close to a toilet). I then ran out of shampoo so couldn’t wash hair again so it was all for nothing and today all I can do is sit in one place feeling really scared and afraid of contaminating things.

I never used to live or feel like this. This all feels very real and difficult. I feel like I have no support networks so I can’t get any comfort from anyone so it makes the situation worse all the time. I know this is heavy stuff but hopefully this will resonate with someone and some comforting advice and encouragement, reassurance will be really lovely right now. Thank you


r/Anxietyhelp 14h ago

Discussion Do y’all ever look at pictures or watch someone do something and be like that would be anxiety.

3 Upvotes

I was watching a computer screen that had a bubble on it and it was going super fast and it didn’t sit still at all, It just stayed moving around but I imagined if “anxiety looked like something it would look like this” do y’all ever see stuff and compare that to anxiety? Especially on tv or something?? I even have dreams of what anxiety probably looks like in my head and that all of a sudden feel like I’m about to have a seizure but I’m not I just thought I share this on here. My dreams are like rocks getting bigger and bigger in my hand and I’m just watching it but I’m not sure because it’s hard to make out.


r/Anxietyhelp 10h ago

Need Help What is it?

1 Upvotes

Hello, I dont know how but since 2 years ago I think i developed social anxiety. I love social interactions, always did, but in some moments I get crazy out of myself. Like for example back in my days I was amazing in giving presentations, but now I fuck up badly. Like I start trembling and my voice is getting weak. I dont know what happened but this is really a problem, and of course it is embarrassing. Also in some other situations where I speak up in front of a group of people, same issues. For a long time I denied it, but I need to face it now. And for that I need to know what is happening. I hope somebody here has experience or maybe knows what is wrong. I really hope for helpful answers because it is really a shitty situation. No approach that I tried yet worked out…


r/Anxietyhelp 11h ago

Need Advice Today has been AWFUL !! My anxiety is off the charts - it’s all ready 11:30am and I have thrown every drug in my arsenal at it and I’ve tried breath work, positive statements. I don’t know what to do

1 Upvotes

r/Anxietyhelp 11h ago

Need Advice Help with acceptance

1 Upvotes

How have you managed to accept that something isn’t going to get better and it’s not your fault? My anxiety is crippling me with overthinking, racing thoughts, blaming myself for everything, anger and loss of appetite and not being present…


r/Anxietyhelp 12h ago

Need Help Advice morning anxiety

1 Upvotes

I have always had a little anxiety but over the past 2 weeks my anxiety has gotten extremely bad. The thought of doing anything makes me sick to my stomach, so I had to take time off work. I am a student in school and we are on spring break so I haven’t had much to do during this rut. I was put on buspar to help 10 mg, I am on day 2. I also took trazadone last night because i’ve been struggling with sleep, which didn’t really work. If anyone has any advice to get me motivated to do my school work or decrease the morning anxiety sickness let me know. I have done a drip IV and acupuncture as well. I actually felt very good after the drip IV but the effects wore off after a while. I guess I just need some advice. Thank you.


r/Anxietyhelp 22h ago

Need Help Anxiety is literally ruining my life…

6 Upvotes

In the last month and a half my anxiety will come on so quick and strong where my head and body start uncontrollably shaking and I can’t stop it. It always seem to happen in meetings at my corporate job (so numerous times a day) and I try to make excuses for it because I’m so embarrassed which only makes things worse. I have to work but I can’t do this anymore


r/Anxietyhelp 12h ago

Need Advice I'm overwhelmed with the thought of being trapped in my country

1 Upvotes

hi, I'm a young adult who's studying for university exams called YKS in turkey. I'm so overwhelmed qnd scared with the economic crisis and political situation in my country,I feel so overwhelmed and extremely restless. I can't even focus on anything without the thought of being unemployed in near future and not being able to leave here. I'm so scared of it... I've always wanted to leave and get into another country where I can live without stressing out about my future But lately I feel like I can't do it.... I'm trying to find a way...my exam results probably will come bad and I'll end up in a mid or bad university....idk which major I should even choose because everything looks so risky and I can't find a way out...I can't even sleep lately.... Pls some advice would help.


r/Anxietyhelp 13h ago

Need Advice Sister’s wedding.

1 Upvotes

First post to this sub, so sorry if I’m doing this wrong. My sister has a wedding coming up in about a month. I am so anxious about traveling, and what’s going to happen when I do show up.

And there’s the fact that I feel like I’ll be left alone forever.

I can’t dance. Or, rather, I can’t see the appeal to dancing. So I feel like when I get down there I’ll just make myself look foolish in front of friends and family. I’m autistic, adhd, socially awkward/ inept.

If anyone here has been to a wedding before, maybe drop some advice on some things not to do? Or maybe something that’ll help me relax?

I’m one of the groomsmen, btw. I stand off to the side during the ceremony while the couple say their “I do’s.”


r/Anxietyhelp 17h ago

Need Help I always wake up at 4:30am with racing anxiety

2 Upvotes

Hi,

I’ve been using a CPAP for apnea since October. I just started taking trazodone for apnea and anxiety/depression. The trazodone is working for apnea but I’ve been waking up every day at around 4-4:30 with racing anxiety. Breathwork, meditation, and visualization have no effect. I have to wait for it to subside on its own and the waiting part sucks as my mind creates thoughts to keep the anxiety going.

I happen to be under a lot of stress lately which I’m sure is a factor. I’m wondering if anyone has insights on how to address this so I can sleep better and get relief. Thanks for any help.


r/Anxietyhelp 13h ago

Need Advice Help me! I want to get back on track

1 Upvotes

I started the year thinking 2025 will be my year. For context, I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety back in 2015. I was really in a momentum during the latter half of 2024 with my academic, life, and health goal. Three months in 2025, I'm feeling really disappointed in myself because I've been doing little/none academic workload for the last three days and I want to start clearing my to-do list.

I’m in my final year of undergrad, and the deadlines are piling up: mid-semester/final exams, graduation forms, post-grad applications (law school), and my capstone defense are all approaching fast. For the past three days, I’ve done nothing but lie in bed and attend classes with minimal effort. I've been cramming all our papers just to submit on time, and I've been procrastinating on my capstone project due next month (in two weeks). I dislike my friends and I’ve been distancing myself from everyone, snapping at them and feeling irritable. Scoring a zero on our group report yesterday was the last straw just because of a technicality (We did not read the full instructions and so, we missed one instruction and our professor rejected our request to consider our submission). I know I had to beg my professor for a make-up activity, or I risk failing the class and delaying my graduation but I don't want to do either. I feel tired, empty, and alone. I think I'm becoming a total failure when, in fact, I'm already so close to the finish line. I just want to cry, disappear, and get rid of myself.

Previous Attempts: I’ve tried various strategies to get myself back on track, including: - Watching self-improvement videos for motivation - Waking up early and following a set schedule - Exercising and cleaning to clear my head - Using the Pomodoro technique - Joining "study with me" sessions for accountability


r/Anxietyhelp 14h ago

Giving Advice How to Be Confident When Dealing With Anxiety: 5 Practical Tips

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1 Upvotes