Anxiety

Anxiety is the most common mental health condition in Australia. Share your own story and learn about other member’s experiences with anxiety.

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BeyondBlue Hi! Check out this post if you're not sure how to start
  • replies: 0

Hi there and welcome to the Anxiety section of the Forums First of all, thank you so much for joining us here. We think it’s amazing that you’ve taken this step to getting support and learning from this Community. You are very welcome here and we are... View more

Hi there and welcome to the Anxiety section of the Forums First of all, thank you so much for joining us here. We think it’s amazing that you’ve taken this step to getting support and learning from this Community. You are very welcome here and we are really interested in what you might want to add to these conversations. We get it, having anxiety makes it hard to share in a public place. Remember, this is anonymous and the Beyond Blue team are here to help if you need it This section is for people who are experiencing anxiety in some form in their lives. This might be in social settings, at work, or just in the day to day. You don’t need a diagnosis to post here. If it feels like the right spot for your post, go right ahead! We know that feeling anxious can make it hard to reach out so we want you to know that getting this far is amazing and a great start. A few tips for getting the most out of this section: Get involved when you can! Posting and replying is the heartbeat of this community and you DO have something worthwhile to share (when you’re ready ) Every experience is different. There is no competition here. We know how challenging anxiety can be and how it comes in all shapes and sizes. What you are experiencing will be respected and supported here. Trust yourself! You are the expert in your experience. This community works because people like you share what has worked for you. Thank you for getting involved and taking a look. We can’t wait to hear from you! Beyond Blue

All discussions

udontknome I just need some help rn
  • replies: 2

This is my first time doing something like this, but I'm not in a good headspace and thought I would just try it and see if anything comes out of it. I'm 21, in university, living at home with my parents. I don't know how long that'll last for. I'm t... View more

This is my first time doing something like this, but I'm not in a good headspace and thought I would just try it and see if anything comes out of it. I'm 21, in university, living at home with my parents. I don't know how long that'll last for. I'm trying to be a teacher through my degree, but I've been failing my Maths classes ever since enrolling. I try studying, nothing works. I reach out to teachers, nothing useful. I'm also at risk of being kicked out of home if my parents don't see a change in better grades, so doing so I took up more classes. I'm retaking a Maths test next week as of typing this. I don't know how confident I feel, but if I fail again, it might just be the last time. I can't do that again. Any support will be greatly appreciated. I'm at my wits end.

Katabi Grief after losing my brother has turned into severe anxiety
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My brother passed away from cancer a little over three weeks ago. His illness progressed extremely quickly, and since his death I have been struggling with intense anxiety, particularly from the time I wake up until late afternoon.My mind keeps going... View more

My brother passed away from cancer a little over three weeks ago. His illness progressed extremely quickly, and since his death I have been struggling with intense anxiety, particularly from the time I wake up until late afternoon.My mind keeps going to worst-case scenarios about my own health and what would happen to my wife and children if something suddenly happened to me. I feel overwhelmed by everything I still need to finish and all the responsibilities I carry.At times I feel okay, but then the anxiety suddenly returns. I struggle to settle, focus, eat normally or decide whether I should rest or keep busy. I have spoken with a doctor and have another follow-up appointment booked. I am also waiting to see my regular GP about professional grief and mental-health support.I am not looking for medical advice. I would really like to hear from people who experienced severe anxiety after a bereavement. Did it come in waves like this? What helped you get through the difficult daytime hours while you were waiting for professional support?

Guest_97114161 Post Natal Anxiety and Depression
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Hi, Just trying my luck if someone can make me feel a bit better. I have a 6 month old bub and recently had an atopic eczema. 60% of his body was covered with it. He is slowly getting better I think. Recently, I have been shouting at him whenever he ... View more

Hi, Just trying my luck if someone can make me feel a bit better. I have a 6 month old bub and recently had an atopic eczema. 60% of his body was covered with it. He is slowly getting better I think. Recently, I have been shouting at him whenever he cries and I wasn’t like this before. I have plenty of patience before but as of now, I think I am losing it. Also, every time we go out, I feel so anxious about him getting flare ups. I am not really sure why he would have flare ups and it’s depressing for me. I am constantly worried about him being uncomfortable but I end up losing my sh*t whenever he cries. I feel like I can’t help him. I don’t even know what to do sometimes. Most of the time, I am alone with him because my husband is going to work. I feel like I missing a connection with my bub even tho we are together. Also, I feel like being away with family makes me feel so alone and was hoping if I can be with them so that everything will be alright and happy. No one can visit me as of the moment as they needed some visa to get here so I kinda feel like hopeless. Just this day I woke up very anxious and I don’t even know why I feel that way.

Shoganai Can't maintain work
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I'm 28 now, for years I have not been able to maintain a job. Whether it's something in the field that I love, or something completely different, my brain shuts off and I either get fired or leave. What is the reason of this? I want to be in work, I ... View more

I'm 28 now, for years I have not been able to maintain a job. Whether it's something in the field that I love, or something completely different, my brain shuts off and I either get fired or leave. What is the reason of this? I want to be in work, I want to be successful and reliable. I want to be a good partner. Mine has watched me for the past few years in and out of work and this morning he has said he just can't keep going around in circles. I try, try so hard, and it still ends up the same. Work from home, something way away from what my hobby is, I still can't maintain it and I know I am a good worker. Has anyone had these issues before? I've found quite a few thousand posts on Reddit regarding this, so atleast I don't feel alone. But I am going insane just going from job to job every couple of weeks.

Guest_67229493 Struggling Mum
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Sometimes I wish I didn’t have my second child. 3 years I tried to have another baby, its all I ever thought about and now I have her and she’s so hard she doesn’t sleep and she’s so clingy. I just don’t want to be around her and I can’t help but thi... View more

Sometimes I wish I didn’t have my second child. 3 years I tried to have another baby, its all I ever thought about and now I have her and she’s so hard she doesn’t sleep and she’s so clingy. I just don’t want to be around her and I can’t help but think she is ruining my life

Strawberry I'm realising that anxiety is here to stay!
  • replies: 9

Hi and thank you to everyone who reads my words, A first for me. Writing on a forum. I've been on this depression and anxiety roller coaster for most of my adult life. And just when I think I've got a handle on it, believe I'm grounded, centred and b... View more

Hi and thank you to everyone who reads my words, A first for me. Writing on a forum. I've been on this depression and anxiety roller coaster for most of my adult life. And just when I think I've got a handle on it, believe I'm grounded, centred and back to what I know is my truest self, it gets me again. Maybe I ignore the signs as they build. Or, maybe I've not tuned in and connected with my feelings enough, so I'm actually kidding myself. Whatever it is, after I lull myself back into that false sense of 'I'm all okay insecurity' it returns. What's irritated me the most about my most recent struggle with anxiety has been how my usual approaches have not worked. It's back, and it feels like it's mocking me this time. If it had a voice it would say, 'You can't just CBT me away this time. Ha! You think meditation and medication is going to defeat me? You, silly, stupid woman! Don't you know you'll never be rid of me.'I'm tired.I get the help I need.I do all I can. It's a never ending cycle, and I suppose, I'm just going to have to accept it's always going to return!

Guest_10528 Has anyone else experienced significant mental health changes during perimenopause?
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Hi, I’m reaching out in the hope of finding some advice, support and connection with others who may have experienced something similar. I turned 42 in April, and over the past couple of months my mental health has declined quite significantly. I have... View more

Hi, I’m reaching out in the hope of finding some advice, support and connection with others who may have experienced something similar. I turned 42 in April, and over the past couple of months my mental health has declined quite significantly. I have always considered myself a positive and optimistic person, but I now feel like a completely different version of myself. I’m carrying a constant feeling of sadness and emptiness, and often feel unable to see beyond the immediate moment. There have been some significant changes in my life, including starting a new job, and I have two young children. However, I have never before felt so helpless, unmotivated, anxious or depressed. The constant sadness, spiralling thoughts, panic attacks and anxiety have become debilitating at times. It feels like the complete opposite of who I am, and I have never experienced this level of sadness and anxiety before. I have seen my GP, who tested my vitamin D and iron levels, and both were found to be very low. I have been taking supplements for around four weeks and am also about to start HRT. I’m wondering whether perimenopause may be contributing to what I’m experiencing, although I’m still trying to understand what is happening to me. I would really love to hear from others who have experienced significant changes in their mental health during perimenopause, and any coping strategies, treatments or things that have helped you through this time. Thank you in advance to anyone who is willing to share their experiences. I would appreciate it so much.

_Will_ I overthought a situation and hurt someone a I care about
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I haven’t been doing too well for the past couple of days, and I feel unsettled about what I did. Earlier this month, a friend asked me out on a date. We were supposed to go out this Saturday, but she got sick, so we rescheduled for a different day. ... View more

I haven’t been doing too well for the past couple of days, and I feel unsettled about what I did. Earlier this month, a friend asked me out on a date. We were supposed to go out this Saturday, but she got sick, so we rescheduled for a different day. Later, she realised she already had plans on that day. The date sounded familiar, and I assumed it was probably an event with her friends. I left it alone at first, but I started overthinking and eventually asked, “Hey, was that the reason we had to reschedule?” Looking back, I can see that the question has sounded like I was challenging her explanation. When I realised that, I apologised. The next morning, I checked in to see if we were okay. She was upset with how I’d handled it, and the conversation went downhill. We both said things that hurt each other. I want to mention is that I have PTSD and a non-verbal learning disability (NVLD) they don't excuse what my actions or how it came across, but they do effect how I process situations and communicate. I can become anxious, overthink things, and sometimes ask questions that make sense in my head and sometimes I need reassurance. and as well I haven't dated in 5 years which made me feel more anxious. What stayed with me most was that when I tried to clarify myself, it didn’t seem to help the situation. We apologised, but I was still left feeling hurt and frustrated with myself. This morning, I messaged her asking if we could talk. I said I was hurt that the conversation had gone the way it did, but that only made things worse. It wasn’t until one of her friends kindly explained her perspective that it clicked. I realised my question may have put her in a position where she felt she had to defend herself. I had promised myself I’d be careful not to never put someone in that position, especially someone I was dating/seeing and I fell short of that. Now I’m waiting to hear back from her and some space for us to breathe, and I feel terrible. I care about her, and I’m sorry for the hurt this caused. Has anyone else had their words land very differently from how they intended? How do you stop overthinking and avoid making the same mistake again?

Phil Debilitating Anxiety
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Just gone into another Anxiety state,waking up at 3:15am . Tired but cannot sleep. Feeling as if there are 50 hours in a day. It comes in waves , every thing is a struggle and effort. It’s as if the cause is now less important than the state I’m in .... View more

Just gone into another Anxiety state,waking up at 3:15am . Tired but cannot sleep. Feeling as if there are 50 hours in a day. It comes in waves , every thing is a struggle and effort. It’s as if the cause is now less important than the state I’m in . The cause is in two days … going away for a few days.. but I have to do it for my wife’s sake as it’s her extended family and we were staying there. Any advice please?

Guest_82648021 Anxiety and loss
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Feeling really low and sad and crying all time what can be done to contain my crying

Feeling really low and sad and crying all time what can be done to contain my crying