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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_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??

Guest_06474314 Anxiety worsening and I feel lost
  • replies: 3

I've been experiencing anxiety and depression since my teens (now 38) and have managed to keep at least a semblance of being functional (keeping job/friends etc) until recently. At the start of the year I lost my dad (complicated relationship) then I... View more

I've been experiencing anxiety and depression since my teens (now 38) and have managed to keep at least a semblance of being functional (keeping job/friends etc) until recently. At the start of the year I lost my dad (complicated relationship) then I recently lost my nan who was a big part of my life until dementia stole her away. During all this I have been dealing with my mum being diagnosed with alzheimers - having to put her into care (I'm her decision maker so literally carrying the guilt of putting her there) and my step dad suffering a medical crisis and requiring multiple surgeries. All the while being assessed for autism (per gp suggestion) Throughout this it feels as if my anxiety just keeps building and building higher with barely any relief- I struggle leaving the house except for work and even then I have massive panic attacks on the way to work, I forget to take my medication as all this anxiety is causing fatigue. I can barely manage self care at all- feels as if I'm losing the self I was under all the stressors and anxiety. I know I should see my gp- but the problem is I feel like I'm being 'weak' and taking up their time over this. I've tried telling my sister a little of what is going on- ie said I'm struggling visiting mum (she's recently become agressive/im called daily with issues as her ower of attorny) because anxiety is so bad and she responded that it's better I go in even if it makes me a 'bit uncomfortable ' as it deescalates her behaviour. But it's not just' a bit uncomfortable' - it's full on fear and panic, shaking,crying spiralling. At one point standing on the train platform contemplating bad options not because I wanted to hurt myself but just wanted a moment of peace/not being anxious. I dont know how to get my sisters to understand this when they've never been this way- they get a little anxious but have never (as far as I'm aware) been to the level I am. They're outgoing, confident people compared to me. I feel as if I keep going on this path it's not going to end well but don't know how to get out of this anxiety hole.

Sam2 depression/C-PTSD/ OCD and now panic attacks
  • replies: 4

have slipped back into a deep depresion due to feeling so lonely as i live with Cptsd depression and OCD and find it hard to socialise or make new friends yet i find myself yerning for friendship mainly somone to talk to about my problems, yes i see ... View more

have slipped back into a deep depresion due to feeling so lonely as i live with Cptsd depression and OCD and find it hard to socialise or make new friends yet i find myself yerning for friendship mainly somone to talk to about my problems, yes i see a scy every 6 to 8 weeks but i havent been able to get in and its the longest i have gone without talking to my therapist, i just want to hang out and talk either with ppl that have been going through the same thing or just anyboody who can advise me on how to get through the worse and sttart to make me feel better as a person Reply

Lauryn21 Burnout & feeling anxious after being sick
  • replies: 2

I am just getting over the flu and trying to get back into my daily life & work however I’m feeling like I’m burned out and I am so anxious to get back into my work. I work 1:1 with clients and am a professional at what I do however I keep getting th... View more

I am just getting over the flu and trying to get back into my daily life & work however I’m feeling like I’m burned out and I am so anxious to get back into my work. I work 1:1 with clients and am a professional at what I do however I keep getting this feeling like I am not good at it and the anxiety from getting back into the work that I have worked so hard for is getting to me.Is this normal and is this just my body telling me I need to take time to recover more because I do love what I do, I want to continue doing it but I keep getting this anxiety.

stroud Fear
  • replies: 3

Hello, This is my first post. I am 55 year old male, happily married with a couple of awesome kids and financially secure. Unfortunately I have suffered from depression and anxiety badly for the last 4 years. My anxiety seems to be getting worse. I a... View more

Hello, This is my first post. I am 55 year old male, happily married with a couple of awesome kids and financially secure. Unfortunately I have suffered from depression and anxiety badly for the last 4 years. My anxiety seems to be getting worse. I am afraid of many things. I am afraid to drive on the highway, am terrified to try and teach my daughter how to drive and an very scared of an upcoming overseas trip. For some reason I am just terrified that something horrible is going to happen to one of my kids and I feel as though I may contribute to this by making a mistake or having a panic attack whilst driving with the family in the car etc. I also used to play lots of sports but am frozen with anxiety these days and really struggle with performing any sporting activities without my anxiety taking over and causing me to freeze. Not sure if anyone can relate to these feelings and or offer any advice?

Amara Bouts of Anxiety
  • replies: 3

I have been struggling with (undiagnosed) anxiety. I have bouts of it. I will be feeling fine and then will do something or have something happen that triggers it and my mind catastrophises it. So for example:- I googled and printed some ben 10 pictu... View more

I have been struggling with (undiagnosed) anxiety. I have bouts of it. I will be feeling fine and then will do something or have something happen that triggers it and my mind catastrophises it. So for example:- I googled and printed some ben 10 pictures for one of my kids on the work computer during my lunch hour. Not something I normally do, and then i spent the whole afternoon silently freaking out that maybe one of those pictures could have had a virus that I have now downloaded and I will have to explain to work about the pictures. I ended up binning the pictures because they caused me so much anxiety to look at. - if I go past a mobile speed camera, even though I know I was doing under the speed limit, I will start to question myself. Maybe I wasn't under the speed limit and then spend the next two weeks checking the app for a ticket. These types of incidences and triggers seem to be happening more and more. Generally every day I have to check things are locked/ turned off like three or four times. I feel like I am spending so much time fighting myself that taking on life is exhausting. I am a mum of twin boys with behavioural/developmental issues, working full time and paying off a house. I feel like I am responsible for everything and my partner just has no responsibility. I need to tell him to do things to get them done (e.g. housework, drop offs for kids, etc). He isn't on the mortgage as he has child support/student loan debts that i wasn't aware of until after we had kids. He is concentrating on paying those off but it means he can't help paying extra off the house. Sorry for the rant. I have put in Doctor's appointments and chickened out on keeping them. I just need a break from the anxious feelings and don't know how to voice that to a doctor to get help.