Looking for support

Hey @Hopeandlove , Welcome to the forums. Thank you for reaching out to the community and reaching out for support.

We're a pretty friendly bunch here and hope you get the support you are looking for.

You are certainly not alone in your mental health journey.

What are some things you like doing that keeps you going?

Thankyou for the welcome. I'm not able to do alot as my health issues limit me but I enjoy going for walks when I can. I listen to music, play games and watch TV to pass the time.

Nice @Hopeandlove

I like walks too, but because of my arthritis, I'm limited to how much I can walk. I've had arthritis since my 20s.

Are you part of any social groups in your area?

Do you go out with others at all?

I also have arthritis as well as other conditions that cause alot of pain with mobility. So walking is only possible for short distances and not as often as I would like to be able to. I'm not in any social groups due to having anxiety. I don't go out with anyone. I sit inside my four walls most days with no human contact.

Awwww, that's tough @Hopeandlove .

Anxiety is a pain. For years, I was at home surrounded by 4 walls and hiding from the world. Actually, I was under the bed covers.

Believe it or not, I found these forums helpful in slowly coaxing myself to 'socialise' with other people. That is, I could 'talk' to people here on the forums but it was safe because it was anonymous. Over years, I developed the confidence to reach out in real life and continue practicing the social skills I'd developed on the forums. I wonder if this will be something others do too? Maybe this is your 'human contact' for the time being?

With exercise, I'm limited to low impact sports. So swimming and water sports are top of the list. I can walk a little, but not too much.

If you feel your anxiety is impacting your life, is this something you've raised with a professional?

My anxiety is so bad that even checking my letterbox sends me into a panic. Outside doesn't feel safe for me, I feel like everyone is out to get me.

I'm not sure i will ever have human contact other than online. It's safer for me to avoid it and I'm better off alone with how I am.

I have had professional support previously but I've been put in the too hard basket for most. So now I just lock myself away from the world and hope that my four walls swallow me up.

Does medication help with the anxiety @Hopeandlove ?

I'm a firm believer in hope. People may put you in the 'too hard' basket, but the most important thing is, do YOU put yourself in the 'too hard' basket?

Hope is what keeps each of us going.

I'm on so many medications that I feel like i rattle whenever I move. But no medication doesn't help with the anxiety.

I do put myself in the too hard basket, I can't deal with myself let alone expect others to deal with me.

Hi @Hopeandlove, welcome to the forum, it's nice to meet you.

I've also been finding it difficult recently dealing with my mental health since some serious health issues were added to the pile. I don't really have family or friends either, certainly none that offer any support at all. I am lucky though to have my partner, but I can relate to what it's like to go through these struggles alone.

I'm sure you'll find this place as friendly and supportive as I have.

Hello, thanks and nice to meet you too.

Mental health issues are hard enough to manage without the added stress of other health issues. It's hard to go through things alone but in saying that I'd much rather not be a burden on anyone. It's great that you have a supportive partner though.