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Those signs..

Magpie22Peer Guide07 July 2026, 11:34 pm AEST

Those signs..

Hey all,

hope you are all doing ok.

I realised recently that some of my anxiety was starting to build up again and when I thought about it - I realised there were signs there before I knew it. It’s only looking back that I understand.

Things like letting my personal care slip - only showering if I’m leaving the house. And I put my gym membership on hold. I also have been escaping into games like Candy Crush on my phone because it stops me having to think about things. These things happen without me really thinking about it and only later do I see the patterns. Or maybe I’m not ready to recognise it.

Do you have early warning signs?

2 replies

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In response to: Those signs..

wonderingalice1Moderator08 July 2026, 9:34 am AEST

Re: Those signs..

Hi @Magpie22

Thank you for sharing.

What you've shared makes a lot of sense, it can be easier to recognise those sign when we look back, and at the time it can be difficult to notice them when we are living through it in the day to day.

I appreciate you sharing the signs and patterns you've noticed yourself. Sometimes noticing these signs can be a way to check in with ourselves, connect with what we might need or supports we might lean on.

I imagine what you've said will resonate with the community, and they will also share their experiences. I hope you find connection, shared understanding and support in this space, we are here alongside you.

In response to: Those signs..

Fin78Casual Contributor29 Sept 2026, 4:15 am AEST

Re: Those signs..

Gday Magpie.

I was fairly full throttle 100% of the time, and my way was masking. I think, from my experience with others in the treatment journey, is to identify how you wish to be living and be attentive to when you start to stop doing those things. Another sign is thinking more about the events which affected you, or similar events. For me that’s problematic as I want to see an end to violence and conflict… which is the root cause of my PTSD. So my attention is drawn to it and I try to constructively engage with the solutions. So I have to be careful not to become too engaged, but enough to keep my self respect. Then that keeps my mind engaged and I have difficulty sleeping.

I’m fairly well down the path of recovery, so I have learned to keep in mind my question of “is this what a healthy adult does?” If the answer is no then I put it aside and focus on the other things I like to do. The things that give me purpose, meaning, mental enrichment and pleasure.

Your warning signs will be unique to you, but perhaps you have already identified the main ones. Recognising them so you can act is great, but for me so is the constant maintenance of your sense of worth, purpose, your artistic side (be it enjoying it or doing it) and having your emotional and physical needs met.

Hope this is helpful in some small way.

Best, Fin

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