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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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Guest_54823884 New to this but anxiety and panic is overwhelming at times
  • replies: 1

Hi I haven’t done this before but l really like the idea and reading other people’s experiences is actually a positive as l realise l am not alone with coping with overthinking and catastrophising. It gets so hard the worry and uncertainty as l am lo... View more

Hi I haven’t done this before but l really like the idea and reading other people’s experiences is actually a positive as l realise l am not alone with coping with overthinking and catastrophising. It gets so hard the worry and uncertainty as l am looking for a job-went for 2 jobs and did not get them! Am an older worker and my confidence feels a big shot now! Some days it’s okay and then some nights it’s just awful as the anxiety grips me and l feel so fearful. I meditate and get through. But it’s not an easy time.

Guest_01830373 Beginner teacher anxiety
  • replies: 1

Hello, I am a first year teacher and already feel burnt out and overwhelmed by teaching. I am at a pretty rough school and have some tough classes, and more often than not I am feeling anxious and panicked when I leave a lesson. I am constantly in a ... View more

Hello, I am a first year teacher and already feel burnt out and overwhelmed by teaching. I am at a pretty rough school and have some tough classes, and more often than not I am feeling anxious and panicked when I leave a lesson. I am constantly in a place where I know what I need to do in theory but it just doesn’t work when I try it. I am left feeling like I am not good enough for the job and often go home freaking out about what had happened that day, what that kid said to me, how my lesson didn’t go to plan. I know that I am just starting out and am still learning the ropes, but it is hard to not feel discouraged. I just want to be good at my job and I don’t think I am. I wonder if I am alone in this feeling and am not sure how to process this going forward. Is it just me? Thanks for listening.

tactlesskwi Anxiety getting worse
  • replies: 1

So I've struggled with anxiety since I was really really little. This year I've had some extra pressure put on me at school, and I've slowing been burning out and falling apart. The pressure to perform combined with general anxiety stops me from talk... View more

So I've struggled with anxiety since I was really really little. This year I've had some extra pressure put on me at school, and I've slowing been burning out and falling apart. The pressure to perform combined with general anxiety stops me from talking to people, celebrating birthdays, putting my hand up in class, doing oral presentations, lots of different things. I recently had a COMPLETE mental breakdown in front of an entire class, and am now mortified. Soon I'll be going to see a GP about it to try and see what can help, and I was wondering if anyone had any intermediary solutions or ways I could go about the conversation with a GP and the initial consultation with a psychologist? Thanks!

Hannahmk Agoraphobia
  • replies: 2

Is it just me or is agoraphobia the most nightmare of a condition to ever have im so depressed that at 30 years old i need to be on ndis but i dont know what choice I have i have been living with this for years since year 8 that's well and truly over... View more

Is it just me or is agoraphobia the most nightmare of a condition to ever have im so depressed that at 30 years old i need to be on ndis but i dont know what choice I have i have been living with this for years since year 8 that's well and truly over 10 years and its just gotten worse and worse to the point im pretty much homebound and the only two things I can do is go to gym ans even sometimes I want to run from there and food shopping but in a free standing building and need a trolley . Im just feeling so frustrated im past crying ive had intrusive thoughts for the first time in my life of just wanting to end it I am so done with this life . I dont even feel like im living but just existing. Im so burnt out from it all that I domt even habe the energy to cry over this as im writing this which I usually would . Imnover waiting for ndis its been years i habe a social worker on board trying to escalate . But this ndis is such a joke and they have made it so much harder for the people that need to access it . I feel scared constantly in life and physically stuck and like I cannot do things . Its ruining friendships relationships my fsmily dont understanding. I just want to hop in a ball and cry im so done . Ive struggled to make friends up here in brisbane qld as it is . But this condition is just horrible . And tired of people making me feel like im been an emotional dumping ground snd like a burden when they just have noooo idea how much of a night mare this is , it is horrible

Luci floods recovery not happening
  • replies: 3

I have PTSD from natural disasters, I’ve been through many and survived, albeit had to start again from nothing. Currently, I feel like all my efforts get no reward, I’ve been trying to recover from the 2022 Northern Rivers floods and the subsequent ... View more

I have PTSD from natural disasters, I’ve been through many and survived, albeit had to start again from nothing. Currently, I feel like all my efforts get no reward, I’ve been trying to recover from the 2022 Northern Rivers floods and the subsequent evacuation in 2025, noting it just hasn’t really stopped raining for long.I had applied for my house to be raised, I waited a year to find out they hadn’t got back to me because they lost my paperwork. I appealed got a review, and got anpproval for house to raised. All of which is a lot of time and effort and not easy.Did I mention no one helped me, I’m a senior, there’s been a lot of heavy, even Council stopped the one trailer free to tip, I discovered after borrowing trailer and lifting heavy things into it, only to have to bring them home. For work to be done I’ve had to demolish carports and aviaries, because they had birds I had make new aviaries down the back shady yard and keep birds warm in very cold and wet winter. I did save to pay people to weld aviary BUT that was like watching Laurel and Hardy and that aviary is still in pieces.It has taken a long time to meet all the documentation requirements and building approvals and been a lot of work and I feel like it’s been false hope. I’ve done so much for nothing, I feel helpless and hopeless, like it’s not worth trying anymore. The Raising House Program contacted me this week and said they will only cover costs of existing building areas, which means I have a back deck raised but they won’t cover stairs, or railings. what this means is if there’s a fire and I go to back deck, I have to jump off 2 metres, I can’t al this moving things caused me to have a hip replacement, and a knee replacement. Also, they’ll only cover stairs from front door to ground and not the walkway to side door, which means to get to electricity metre box I’d have to use a ladder. Everyone knows you often find out the power is out when the lights go off, at night, and here it is usually raining or cold.I’ve waited so long got help, I’ve done so much work for nothing, I’ve been living in a scrap yard, my house is like a cupboard full of boxes of things I can’t access, I’ve had to put up sheds to store stuff that has been ruined by rain. I’ve wasted years trying to recover have no friends, or family, I feel overwhelmed, anxious.The only family I have is my severely disabled brother, I’ve been his guardian for 15 years and engage carers, do shopping, meet medical needs, all his needs,

Guest_36472054 Anxiety
  • replies: 1

Hi,I've been feeling depressed for a while now, I haven't been able to keep a job and most days I'm fighting my mind just to have a functional day it's not that I don't want to enjoy life but I'm overwhelmed but not having money doesn't help, my mum ... View more

Hi,I've been feeling depressed for a while now, I haven't been able to keep a job and most days I'm fighting my mind just to have a functional day it's not that I don't want to enjoy life but I'm overwhelmed but not having money doesn't help, my mum recently passed and a whole other plethora of family issues are constantly on my mind I'm just worried for the future and it seems like anyone I try to tell this to just dismisses it as being rebellious, I don't really know if typing this here will help but I thought I'd try I value my well-being and am trying what I can.

teenytiny Panic Attacks
  • replies: 1

Hey, Im currently on a medication but I will be tapering off this week. I’m so anxious about the panic attacks coming back and that constant anxiety that could not be shaken.

Hey, Im currently on a medication but I will be tapering off this week. I’m so anxious about the panic attacks coming back and that constant anxiety that could not be shaken.

Ged5 Trying but hard to get things done
  • replies: 6

I'm 55 and moved back to my home town to look after my father with dementia, I'm struggling with anxiety which I've had on and off for long time. Started back on some medication and looking to get back into see psychologist. Was involved in activity'... View more

I'm 55 and moved back to my home town to look after my father with dementia, I'm struggling with anxiety which I've had on and off for long time. Started back on some medication and looking to get back into see psychologist. Was involved in activity's but since anxiety has come back struggling to get out and be involved in things. Working hard to get back on track but hard with my mum as I am struggling to communicate with her and give her the conversation she deserves. Having a good day then a not so good day after getting hopes up as I think I'm coming good. I try and do what I can to contribute in the house but feel guilty as mum and dad should be reliant on me now.

Jessksch I'm so afraid we won't have space in Australia and we will never be able to have a house with a yard
  • replies: 3

I know it sounds completely insane, and I am on some new medication so maybe I am going crazy at the moment; but I am so scared that we are becoming so overpopulated that we are all forced to live in small apartments in the future. The more people, t... View more

I know it sounds completely insane, and I am on some new medication so maybe I am going crazy at the moment; but I am so scared that we are becoming so overpopulated that we are all forced to live in small apartments in the future. The more people, the more houses will be destroyed and replaced with giant sky scrapers...all i wished for in life was to have a house and a garden and peace and quiet and it seems we won't get this at all anymore... I am getting more and more anxious about the future, especially how everyone is encouraging bringing more people into the country, it is driving me insane! Not to mention it will all become too expensive to the point we won't be able to afford a house anymore I just want a home and a big dog, why is something so simple now impossible to have in this day and age?

_Gigi_ Afraid of losing friends
  • replies: 1

So, basically, my whole life I've struggled a lot in social situations and had a lot of trouble making friends. My therapist thinks I have autism, which would explain a lot- especially how I interact with others. As I got older, I learned the 'formul... View more

So, basically, my whole life I've struggled a lot in social situations and had a lot of trouble making friends. My therapist thinks I have autism, which would explain a lot- especially how I interact with others. As I got older, I learned the 'formulas' of starting friendships and managed to actually make some really good friends. Now, a newer friend has asked me out. I want to focus on managing my depression before even considering a relationship (I've been especially struggling lately). My anxiety is spiking because I don't want to lose a friendship by saying no, but I also don't want to lose a friendship by being rude and not answering for ages. This friend is someone I feel unusually comfortable around (normally I take ages to warm up to people and I mask a lot) so I really don't want to blow it. I feel like a bad person for freaking out. Is this another thing everyone knows how to handle except for me, or am I overthinking again??