Welcome! Introduce yourself here 🙂

[Faith-and-Hope]

Hi and welcome to the forums @Nik_Nak.  

So sorry to hear what you have been going through, but you brave heart is showing.  There is a lot of self-awareness in what you have written.

Joining us here is a massive self-care step, good job 👍 . You have friends on the road here.  We are all on the forums for different reasons, but life has been hard on us all.  Even with different journeys the empathy is huge, and the appreciation for mental health diversity and support is awesome.

I can see that @Ru-bee has provided you with some links to help navigate the forums.  Yell out if / when you need help.

F&H 🌷

[EbonyFox]

Hey everyone, 

I got recommended this platform today by a peer supporter from QLife. Hoping to find some community here and to also offer whatever support I can.

I'm Australian by birth but have lived in Southeast Asia for almost 30 years, and am in the process of moving here and hoping to be here long-term. I'm 32 and feel so behind my peers, it doesn't help that my family, extended family and social circle are filled with many high achievers. I haven't had success in dating, and have what I suspect is "gifted kid burnout". After I got diagnosed with both autism and ADHD a year ago, I've ended up feeling pretty lost after being often misunderstood and rejected, including by family members. 

Somehow I managed to train for and attain a therapist's license to help clients for 3 years in Southeast Asia, but auDHD burnout took a toll on my mental health. Am in need of a fresh and hopeful start here in Australia.

[Jynx]

Good to have you with us @EbonyFox hope you find what you're looking for in the community 😊💜

[Gwilliam9]

Hi , not sure what to say - long time OCD and Unwanted thoughts and ADHD, my children also suffer from same ( go figure)- I have had a successful career and now semi retired - I was able to hide my depression and psychological issues reasonably well whilst working , but suffered at home- feel sorry for my kids( both who have good careers) for inheriting this shit from me or thru me or maybe just the horror of life growing up with my problems , who knows- now that I'm not at work very much I have more time in my hands and that's not good, my mental health has deteriorated- I find it hard to get out and do things as most people give me the shits ( I don't suffer fools easily , a trait that I wish I could just get rid of)- anyway folks that's probably way to much info in an introduction 🤣🤣- have a good day folks

[Jynx]

Hey hi hello @Gwilliam9 and welcome!! Thanks for sharing a bit about yourself. ADHD gang checking in!! 😂

Hope you find what you're looking for in the community 😋

[MissinTooth]

Hi, 

I'm here because I believe I have CPTSD and some pretty hectic anxiety. My anxiety came to visit last night - I have just moved into my own house (after escaping a abusive relationship) and finally felt safe. But that was the problem. My brain had a freak out and started ruminating over all the ways I could lose this house and my job and the ability to pay my rent and it spiralled from there. I reached out to a friend for help and she suggested that it could be time for me to do some therapy to try and get some control over my anxiety and to lessen its impact on me and on my life. Life is good at the moment and still, it triggers anxiety. It's time to find a space for me to talk about what's going on and to get some help. 

[tyme]

Hey @MissinTooth ,

Firstly, welcome to the forums. I love your username! 

Good on you for getting your own place and escaping an abusive relationship. I hear how the effects of this can linger, especially if you've been put down most of your adult life.

I'm not sure if these experience is similar, but I feel the anxiety is similar. My home was broken into twice. The first time, the person returned the next day to steal my car. Then about 1.5-2 years later, I was broken into again. 

Each evening, I would 'jump' with every sound. My mind jumped to having my place invaded again. I didn't have too much clinical therapy to focus on this, but I feel I needed to do a lot of self talk to tell myself that I was safe and I was okay.

Over time, the fear and anxiety left me. But when I think about it, I can still 'feel' the moment. The anxiety only completely left when I move houses. 

I wonder if this is a similar feeling?

[tyme]

Hey @MissinTooth , How are you?

[MissinTooth]

@tyme Hi,

I am doing better today, but admittedly, I have been distracted working on an assignment for the Uni course I'm doing. I've had no time to disappear into my thoughts. 

I talked to a friend yesterday and that helped...a lot. She reminded me that I was in my head and needed to come back to into my body, by using grounding techniques. 

Thank you for checking up on me. 

[tyme]

That's some very sound advice for your friend @MissinTooth . I can certainly relate to being wrapped up in my emotional brain.

I'm glad you've kept yourself busy with uni. I guess that helps to stay distracted. 

I guess the next step is moving from using distraction as a technique to working through some of the challenges you are experiences. 

I just want to say that you are a real inspiration to be juggling so many hats. We're sitting with you. Feel free to reach out at any time.