Too scared to ask for help

@MystiBelle23

Welcome! Im Lizzy and Im currently a trained listener and intern. I hope you find what you are looking for here in 7 Cups. Please feel free to message me whenever. I will usually reply within the day and if Im online, you should expect a reply straight away! I specialise in anxiety, panic attacks and loneliness mostly but you are always free to message me for other reasons!

http://www.7cups.com/15248074

@Liz2208 Thank you, I really appreciate it. I hope I'm online more so I can talk to you

@MystiBelle23

Welcome to 7cups! Sometimes it can take a few tries to get someone on a 1 on 1 or group chat that feels that they "mesh" well enough with you to trust but good idea to look at listener profiles for ratings just to be sure you're approaching someone who takes the 7cups TOS and training seriously. Maybe the group chat will seem less scary since it's not as much demand on just one or two people to keep the conversation moving. During group chat events there's usually at least several in it (may take a bit more patience for others to reply because the focus is spread between more people).

I also recommend having a look and listen in the "mindfulness" audio and guides links in the path menu which both have anxiety related info and provide some help to ease it gradually. Mindfulness is more help the more you listen and practice what is said in it. The best thing I think to start with is 7cups of tea guide which touches on more than just anxiety and explains some of the reason and meaning of mindfulness, which has the goal of finding and returning repeatedly to a calmer spot in the mind away from "intrusive," "persistent" or "racing" thoughts so it doesn't feel as overwhelming.

@CoinFountain Thanks so much, I haven't used the chat so I will definitely try that out. And the mindfulness activities sound good too

@MystiBelle23

You're welcome! :)

Yes, @MystiBelle23, as @CoinFountain and @Liz2208 have mentioned, the short guided meditations in the mindfulnes section (under 'Path' menu) could be helpful for trying to calm the 'monkey mind' down a bit. And of course, chatting here with listeners who understand how you feel may be of help, as might some of the group chat and forum functions.

There is one other strategy you might want be interested to check out. There are a number of self-help guides available on 7Cups. There are guides that deal with anxiety or social anxiety or loneliness or many other issues we may confront in life. I think it could be worth it to review some of them, if you feel it is worth a try.

I am glad you made your way to the 7Cups community, and hope that you will find useful supports here. Wish you the best of luck in your journey MystiBelle!

@Sairita Thank you, and yes I'll check that out too. I'm glad you guys are helping me out :)

@MystiBelle23 We are all stronger together than we are on our own, so in the bigger picture, we all help each other out, simply by being here for each other. Take good care of yourself

@MystiBelle23 reaching out for help is a huge step, its understandable that you would have some fears about it. Especially if you have had trust broken. Take things slow. We have a great community here and I'm certain that you will find someone trustworthy!

@HollieAardemaLMSWCAADC Thank you, I'll find my way soon and I feel more comfortable here too :)

Welcome to 7 cups! i know its ironic coming from me, but you should not be afraid to open up . keeping youre worries inside only makes them seem bigger!