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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

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Bee1998 Does anyone else feel like this too?
  • replies: 6

Ever since I can remember, I have been extremely bothered by particular types of females while I'm in a relationship. For example. females who dress a certain way, or act a certain way (provocatively). Or even if they're not necessarily dressed provo... View more

Ever since I can remember, I have been extremely bothered by particular types of females while I'm in a relationship. For example. females who dress a certain way, or act a certain way (provocatively). Or even if they're not necessarily dressed provocatively, but are wearing something like tight leggings with their bum exposed through the pants, etc. I don't know if this comes from my own insecurities, or just disliking it in general, or both, but regardless, I can't stand it, and it actually makes me feel really terrible, and sometimes even angry.I am particularly anxious as Summer is approaching, because that means half naked girls everywhere, plus I hate going to the beach with my boyfriend, because it makes me uncomfortable that he is seeing all of these half naked girls in their skimpy bikinis... to me, it feels like I'm being forced to watch my boyfriend viewing porn or something. I know that may sound silly, but it's really a big problem for me, and always has been. I'm not saying my boyfriend is doing anything wrong, because he isn't, it's the females around me which irritate me. And it's not even me thinking anything is going to happen either (in regards to infidelity) because I know it's not. Does anyone else experience the same thing? I really would like some help with this.

Romy Recovering from anxiety relapse
  • replies: 4

A month ago I had a huge flare up of my GAD. I have many things coming up this year that suddenly overwhelmed me and it made my anxiety/depression worse than it has ever been before. I’ve been seeing my psychologist fortnightly and increased my medic... View more

A month ago I had a huge flare up of my GAD. I have many things coming up this year that suddenly overwhelmed me and it made my anxiety/depression worse than it has ever been before. I’ve been seeing my psychologist fortnightly and increased my medication a month ago. I’m definitely having better days where I can see hope, last week I had 5 days in a row where I felt back to my usual self and I thought “great! Everything is back to normal!” But then I had a day with slight anxiety and it spiraled out of control again. So I’m finding now I’m having good days and then really really low days where I just cry and cry and feel like I’ll never get better. I guess my question is, is it normal when recovering from such a severe relapse to have good days and then have really bad days again? Has anyone else been through this? My psychologist has said that recovery is not linear, it has many ups and downs but it’s hard to see the light when you’re in the downs.

cocness Finally admitting to myself of my Anxiety, ptsd
  • replies: 1

Hello, I am a woman in my 50's. I have 3 kids, who are adults, and 2 have moved out and have their own families. My ex died 19 yrs. ago and have been single ever since. Being on your own, and not putting all your energy on your children, forces onese... View more

Hello, I am a woman in my 50's. I have 3 kids, who are adults, and 2 have moved out and have their own families. My ex died 19 yrs. ago and have been single ever since. Being on your own, and not putting all your energy on your children, forces oneself to deal with one's own issues. wow is all i can say for i have issues, i could write a novel. but my anxiety, and ptsd is extreme now that i have finally made my appointment with psych to deal with my past. On top off that being flooded with repressed memories, once kiddies grew up, i pushed back, willfully ignorant, bad memories, due to knowing at that time if i processed everything I would of broke. This forum seems like a great place to relate, now currently i am a carer for my younger adult due to mental health, but she is nearly there. I'll sign off for now. this is overwhelming, I wish everyone the strength to open up and not be ashamed. The hardest part for me was thinking I was alone, I know different now, but i still emotionally cut off and hide away and that has to stop now.from alle

potoftea Teenage son anxiety
  • replies: 6

My 15 year old son has developed some major anxiety issues which are beginning to impact his daily life such as unable to attend school most days. My husband decided 6 months ago that he wanted to live by himself so we have separated, sold our family... View more

My 15 year old son has developed some major anxiety issues which are beginning to impact his daily life such as unable to attend school most days. My husband decided 6 months ago that he wanted to live by himself so we have separated, sold our family home and he and I purchased seperate houses. My son decided to live with me because he did not appreciate his dad’s decision to break up the family….Both my son and I were having a perfectly happy family life until my husband decided he had enough of family life. We don’t live far from each other and still see each other as somewhat friends…it’s complicated and confusing. I do feel this is a major contributor to my sons new anxiety, as a suddenly single parent I am at a loss as to how to help him, I haven’t even helped myself by talking to anyone. I realy don’t know who to turn to, there are no family members to talk to and I don’t want things to get worse…can anyone please help?

T1278910 Have been working on myself for year and I still struggle with social situations
  • replies: 2

I have been working hard to better myself for the last 4 years I’m 18. I had a period of time when I was 13 with OCD for about 6 months where it was so severe I went days without food occasionally and was unable to drink, eat and go to sleep well. Ad... View more

I have been working hard to better myself for the last 4 years I’m 18. I had a period of time when I was 13 with OCD for about 6 months where it was so severe I went days without food occasionally and was unable to drink, eat and go to sleep well. Additionally my parents were out of work partially due to my illness. We were poor and I was sleeping in a closet, not going to school, not showering, malnourished and isolated for about 6months. It was a hard fall from what was a very successful kid. I no longer suffer from OCD, but after 4 years of almost religiously trying to heal myself I still struggle with social anxiety to a point I struggle playing low level sport, socialising, eating in front of others and going to school. I realised I had ignored my problems from when I was 13 because it’s confronting. Do I need to confront these wounds to better myself. I want to get better quickly and correctly. How do I explore my past, and I find myself blaming people and myself whenever i do, is it meaningful to understand?

Miseria_Oizys misery doesnt like company.
  • replies: 2

Hi im not new to this, beyond blue had got me out of a very dark place once before due to depression from past trauma and abuse. Although I managed to avoid my mental health issues I have constant anxiety attacks. Its been a few years I capped my tho... View more

Hi im not new to this, beyond blue had got me out of a very dark place once before due to depression from past trauma and abuse. Although I managed to avoid my mental health issues I have constant anxiety attacks. Its been a few years I capped my thoughts and inner feelings inside not feeling safe enough emotionally to express whats going on inside but I recently have been having alot more anxiety attacks where I feel I cant breathe or I suddenly feel like there's a wall of glass in front of me and I feel out of breath at times. I am known to alot of people to cut connections from groups of people from time to time I will be fairly social one moment and could light up the room but then il wake up one day delete my socials block people trying to communicate who I feel are constantly overwhelming me asking me about my life I don't want to share with them. I delete photos and cut all access to anybody who questions my sudden ghost mode even if they did nothing wrong. Its not that I don't purposely do it, in the moment when im feeling down thoughts of negative voices attack me as if someone is controlling my mind not to trust people not to keep in contact. I have walked away and cut relationships if I feel they try to get more close or I feel anxious of physical intimacy I stay home I raise my son and i choose not to have friends in the same city to save my energy or with little that I have to get through the day. I just want to sleep. But thats another battle is not being able to sleep well at night. Which affects my kid and i barely talk to the ones I live with. And I use to smoke but I barely can lift a cigarette because how tired I am but restless and always need to clean. When I clean I feel a sense of accomplishment I bond well with animals I take care of. But I feel I use my pets as a way to avoid my problems and sudden disassociate myself from any human. Which is why I know seeing a professional will be of no use because I don't want to leave the house I force myself to go to the shops just to buy necessities for my child but im completely in robot mode.. in the shop then out no contact head down and thats a little difficult to cope with when my child is full of life and social. My questions is. What is the best way to deal with my anxiety when im feeling breathless and my chest feels like a weight is on it. Do I write about it? Or do I take other steps. I just don't believe a doctor can possibly help me at this point. And I dont want to join social groups or talk to anyone. I just feel alone. Even with a room full of people. They just sound like im underwater listening but not clear. I read a few posts and I think it makes my anxiety more heavier to deal with feelin sad about other peoples problems with anxiety. And I dont want to burden anybody. But I hope whoever reads this can feel some sort of comfort that they aint alone. I wouldn't want anybody to feel like what they are feeling isnt normal and that they are alone.. or just a way for a family or friend to tell you to "harden up" Maybe these are just lost thoughts and il stop questioning my sanity. Im sending love and light to those struggling right now.

Elena_Damon Elena's Life
  • replies: 2

Just need to talk with someone

Just need to talk with someone

sarahlouisexo Pure O (Pure Obsessional) OCD?
  • replies: 7

Hey guys x I'm new to this forum but I'm pretty certain I'm struggling with 'Pure O' OCD. Does anyone else struggle with this or OCD in general? I would love you hear your stories/experiences. Thanks for reading.

Hey guys x I'm new to this forum but I'm pretty certain I'm struggling with 'Pure O' OCD. Does anyone else struggle with this or OCD in general? I would love you hear your stories/experiences. Thanks for reading.

_yuki15_ Anxiety & ASD
  • replies: 1

Hello Beyond Blue counsellors, I am suffering with ASD and anxiety. I'm not enjoying home life especially with my dad he frightens me. He yells at me, swears at me and hits me sometimes when i do the wrong thing. I really want to move out of my home ... View more

Hello Beyond Blue counsellors, I am suffering with ASD and anxiety. I'm not enjoying home life especially with my dad he frightens me. He yells at me, swears at me and hits me sometimes when i do the wrong thing. I really want to move out of my home since i don't feel safe nor good there. Sadly i can't and i need to wait until i'm 18. Kind regards, Yuki (zoe)

8-8-8 Being in a relationship with someone who was married
  • replies: 2

My current boyfriend of almost one year has an ex wife. They are not legally divorced yet but have been separated from what I am aware about 5 years he's also had relationships post her before me. In 2020 she moved back in to live with him for a bit ... View more

My current boyfriend of almost one year has an ex wife. They are not legally divorced yet but have been separated from what I am aware about 5 years he's also had relationships post her before me. In 2020 she moved back in to live with him for a bit then left again. She moved back in with him 6 months ago (they have separate bedrooms) as she is suffering with mental issues and other sickness my boyfriend doesn't wish to share. However he has not told her about me and our relationship. This has cause me to grow majorly insecure and for both my boyfriend and I to have problems and cause a strain in the relationship. He doesn't want to be selfish and tell her about me because he doesn't want her to get worse I guess. I don't know what to do because I love him and he loves me and wants to be with me. But she has no idea about me and told him that she wants to have kids with him. I have already given him an ultimatum but he still wont tell her. What do I do? Is she making him feel guilt tripped? Its giving me major anxiety and feel depressed and somewhat lonely because he doesn't help reassure me and nobody has been in my situation before.