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Anxiety

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Chris_B Forums etiquette: give support to receive support
  • replies: 0

Hi everyone, particularly any new members who may be reading. From time to time, we get contacted by members who are unhappy that they haven’t received a lot of replies to their posts. Our community champions work very hard to make sure that all newb... View more

Hi everyone, particularly any new members who may be reading. From time to time, we get contacted by members who are unhappy that they haven’t received a lot of replies to their posts. Our community champions work very hard to make sure that all newbies are welcomed when they first post, and we understand that it’s a big step to post for the first time on a forum like this, especially if you aren’t feeling great. It’s important to remember, though, that these forums are a community of real people, just like you, not a one-on-one support environment like going to see your psychologist. To get the best out of being here, one of the best tips we can offer is give support to receive support. Being a good community member means: participating in different threads (not just your own), replying to people who have taken the time to reply to you (even if it’s just to say thank you), and... posting words of emotional support and encouragement when you see others who are hurting and reaching out. You don’t have to feel obliged to solve the problems of others: that’s not what we’re here for. But you can offer empathy and what you’ve learned from your own life experiences, even if it’s just a line or two, eg. “I don't know what to say, but I want to give you my support and tell you I care about what is happening to you and hope life will get better soon.” Try to develop an interest in the journeys of others here on the forums. You may be surprised at how good being an active, caring member here can make you feel. For those of you who have had good experiences giving support here on the forums, please post in this thread here and let us know how it has helped you on your journey.

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Tim1982 Help. Anyone else?
  • replies: 1

Been told it's anxiety. - Head pressure on both sides of head but feels like when it goes down, it's still there. Like it never goes away. - jaw, nose, forehead, temple area feel tight. - ringing in ears - eyes feel funny, like they can't focus - ach... View more

Been told it's anxiety. - Head pressure on both sides of head but feels like when it goes down, it's still there. Like it never goes away. - jaw, nose, forehead, temple area feel tight. - ringing in ears - eyes feel funny, like they can't focus - aches in arm and legs or sometimes just one arm which feels slightly heavier and seems to stay for a day or so - sensations in feet and legs (not pins and needles) - numbness in parts of the face, back of head, sometimes neck. I keep thinking it's something serious but doctors say I'm not showing key symptoms. Can anxiety do this? I thought if it was anxiety, the feelings would all disappear eventually.

jenekay anxiety about going on school camp
  • replies: 5

hi this is my first time on beyond blue and idk how this stuff works, so please feel free to tell me if i've accidentally done something considered rude basically, school camp is in a few months but i've been really stressed about it lately. whenever... View more

hi this is my first time on beyond blue and idk how this stuff works, so please feel free to tell me if i've accidentally done something considered rude basically, school camp is in a few months but i've been really stressed about it lately. whenever someone mentions it my heartrate spikes and i feel like crying cause im so scared about going on camp. ive narrowed it down to 3 things, but im not really sure how to deal with them so if someone could share coping strategies that would be great. 1. homesick like most people, i do get homesick on camp. i had a counsellor last year because i was struggling with camp as well and together we made a booklet with little messages from my parents to cheer me up, but it didn't work that well because whenever i read it i would start crying and it would make me more homesick. preferably i can just forget about home and not have constant reminders about who's not there with me when im on camp. 2. scared of exercise? going from walking 5km a day to 20km+ for 4 days is quite a big change for me, and since i'm not the most athletic of people im worried i wont be able to keep up, and also when i get tired i get really sad and start feeling emotional? which doesn't help with the homesickness at all. 3. no friends our year level coordinator tries to separate us from our friends during school camp, because she wants us to make new friends, but as an introvert i find that very difficult. the previous years i've mostly spent the 4 days by myself trailing after the rest of the group, with just the teacher to talk to. thats basically a summary of why i really dislike camp this year, if you bothered to read this then thank you have a nice day! - Jen

Annewithan-e How to face work?
  • replies: 3

I have a job that I love.. well in part. I am secondary teacher. I teach year 11/12z I love the classroom, the kids. But I’ve been back at work over a week and I can’t face anything without tears (I generally make it somewhere to hide, masks help me ... View more

I have a job that I love.. well in part. I am secondary teacher. I teach year 11/12z I love the classroom, the kids. But I’ve been back at work over a week and I can’t face anything without tears (I generally make it somewhere to hide, masks help me escape…). I am in leadership as well and I just can’t cope. I feel like no one cares (well a small little group of close friends might, but that’s it). I feel worthless and like no one would even flinch if I quit tomorrow. I’m getting to worm and I freeze, can’t work, unless it’s something I need to do for someone else… I feel sick, I come home every day and have a migraine or massive stomach pains and cramps. It’s not sustainable like this, but I don’t know what to do. And I feel financially committed as well. I have reached out to some of my direct reports to catch up to talk but they haven’t responded.

Rosie22 Work anxiety and intrusive thoughts
  • replies: 3

I recently got promoted into a position where I am running a care program before and after school. Because the service is so small and at max accommodates 5 students there is only one educator (me) at the setting every shift. These shifts run from 7-... View more

I recently got promoted into a position where I am running a care program before and after school. Because the service is so small and at max accommodates 5 students there is only one educator (me) at the setting every shift. These shifts run from 7-9am and 3-6pm. I am alone at the school until around 8.30am (which is when teachers show up) and I am alone after 4.30pm (when teachers depart for the day). My anxiety is stemming from the hours I spend alone at the school. It is relatively rural and is in a town that lacks a police station. It is surrounded by farmland and has few houses around. This is where my anxiety comes in. Lately I have been having intrusive thoughts of an intruder coming in and harming me or the children. There is no one around that would be able to save me or hear me if I screamed. The service is too small and low budget to be able to install security cameras, alarms or other equipment. My training basically tells me to lock the doors and hide if an intruder comes. I am 21F with barely any muscle. I don't trust that I could fight anyone off. I am having extreme thoughts of dying at work or someone coming to kill me when I lock up. Everyone I talk to tells me the chances of that happening are low. I just keep thinking that its never impossible. Initially I asked my Fiancé to drive there at night and ensure I make it safely to my car. But unfortunately his work schedule and a 20 min drive isn't feasible long-term. I don't know what to do. I feel like everyone around me would be disappointed if I quit or requested another location (it's well paying). I've committed to getting married in October so it's not the smartest financial decision either. It's hard to talk about because everyone goes on and on about the low chances of it happening. I'm lost and feel so so alone.

cceee Work meeting anxiety
  • replies: 7

Hi all! First time posting here I struggle with anxiety and panic attacks related to work zoom meetings and having to talk. When I have an agenda item I’m reasonably ok because I have time to practice beforehand (and I’ll give myself time to do a qui... View more

Hi all! First time posting here I struggle with anxiety and panic attacks related to work zoom meetings and having to talk. When I have an agenda item I’m reasonably ok because I have time to practice beforehand (and I’ll give myself time to do a quick meditation before the meeting !), but today I was asked to provide an update on something unexpectedly and I fumbled over an update, forgetting to breathe due to my anxiety and barely managed to get the last few words out as I was running out of breath. I worry that people noticed and I feel embarrassed now and it causes me to ruminate, and of course, it means I’m already fearing the next time it happens. I’m not sure what to do or how to cope with this feeling of impending doom when someone mentions my name during a meeting and asks me for information. I’m totally fine when it’s a 1:1 meeting, but I hate speaking in front of large groups, even when it’s just on zoom (we are told to have our cameras on the whole time which adds to my anxiety). Has anyone been through this before and has any tips ?

rosie_rose Anxiety, Underwhelming New Employment & Body changes
  • replies: 3

This is my first post here and I guess I just wanted a space to share my thoughts and feelings. In 2020, I lost my job when the pandemic hit. It was kind of a blessing in disguise as I had developed some bad drinking habits to cope with work & stress... View more

This is my first post here and I guess I just wanted a space to share my thoughts and feelings. In 2020, I lost my job when the pandemic hit. It was kind of a blessing in disguise as I had developed some bad drinking habits to cope with work & stress & was generally unhappy. Having the time with my partner to re-calibrate was so peaceful & rejuvenating. But I knew it wasnt going to last. We had to move from the city, 5hrs away. We have been living in a small rural town since. We rent on a small property, which is nice but I mostly feel lonely and bored. I’ve been unemployed since losing my job but did get about a months work in town. Everyday I cried before and after work and felt so anxious. The town here is strange, people are poverty stricken and have a real rural mentality. I was getting leered at, the workload was underwhelming (I would have preferred busy work to manage anxiety), the staff unfriendly, I just feel like I don’t fit in here at all and the job didn’t last. I recently had to terminate a pregnancy, I struggled with the emotions and decision .My body doesn’t feel like itself yet & I’m starting a new job next week; I have four, 8hr days lined up over the next two weeks. I’m feeling so anxious and sick about it - I’m scared about my body hurting, I’m nervous to be interacting with people (I haven’t really spoken to many people in 2 years) & I’m scared I’m going to be so terrible, maybe they will think I lied about my previous experience & won’t be able to cope (though I know this is probably not going to happen in a tiny rural town). Im trying to remember the positives about it - getting out of the house, having an opportunity to communicate, having a couple days of routine, contributing to our savings, having my own money, engaging in something different… I have a lot of work related anxiety - meeting other peoples expectations about careers etc & conforming. I find work meaningless, menial and mundane. Though I admit, I’m not really an ambitious person. I love creating and being in nature - I feel safest in nature, which is why I so often isolate myself at home. This town has no opportunities, it’s really quite depressing. Most of the people are unemployed. I want to leave but my partner has a job he likes. I know I kind of need to just get over it & have a job & it’s only a couple days a week - but I feel like my mind is running wild with anxiety

Blueeyed This is a first
  • replies: 3

So I've never done this kind of thing before, but things got pretty bad for me and joining a forum was something I thought I'd at least try. I've been diagnosed with clinical depression and have pretty bad anxiety. This has been something I've dealt ... View more

So I've never done this kind of thing before, but things got pretty bad for me and joining a forum was something I thought I'd at least try. I've been diagnosed with clinical depression and have pretty bad anxiety. This has been something I've dealt with for many years but my diagnosis was within the last couple. Im 31yo male and I struggle each day in the world that is today. Im not originally from where I'm living so I know very few people. I have my family here but no friends. What I wonder is, how do people like myself, find friends in this world. Especially with bad anxiety. How do you cope and continue to live each day when you feel lonely and out of place here.

Liss- Anxious about WA’s border
  • replies: 5

Hi all, WA border is coming down in 2 weeks time and my anxiety is through the roof as there is so much of the unknown since we’ve been living in a bubble throughout this pandemic. I’ve never had a formal diagnosis eventhough I suspect that I’m someo... View more

Hi all, WA border is coming down in 2 weeks time and my anxiety is through the roof as there is so much of the unknown since we’ve been living in a bubble throughout this pandemic. I’ve never had a formal diagnosis eventhough I suspect that I’m someone with high functioning anxiety. In the past I’ve found ways to cope using self care method, physical exercise, various relaxation techniques and healthy diet but am finding it very difficult recently. My mum is stuck overseas for past 2 years, so there’s the anxiety of trying to get her on a plane to get back to Perth (which has proven impossible due to border situation and lack of connecting flights from a small town and the challenge remained to this day)… I’m also highly stressed at work as I’m in management in health care and the lack of directives from the government and the upper management is causing a lot of anxiety for staff which has its impact on my own mental health. I’m anxious about the impact of extra workload on top an already demanding role; worried about the ongoing uncertainties and just feeling the pandemic-fatigue big time. I’m experiencing poor sleep, increased agitation and inability to “switch off”… any advice will be greatly appreciated

Anxiousberry Feeling anxious about moving to a new place
  • replies: 8

Hi Community I recently had to make decision to move out from my current place. This happened very quickly and since I have decided this I feel very very anxious (could'nt sleep or eat well on the day I made this decision, feeling restless time to ti... View more

Hi Community I recently had to make decision to move out from my current place. This happened very quickly and since I have decided this I feel very very anxious (could'nt sleep or eat well on the day I made this decision, feeling restless time to time). I have been stressed a bit since end of last year as I had to make a lot of changes to my plan due to increase in Covid cases. (e.g., change of plan from going back home to staying where I am etc.) Do you have any advice on feeling less anxious for moving to a new place. Thank you.

Abelia Abelia
  • replies: 4

I have suffered from social anxiety from a very young age. I understand and except my condition and symptoms much better these days. Having said that I can still get really anxious in group situations. For me my body and mind seems to stop functionin... View more

I have suffered from social anxiety from a very young age. I understand and except my condition and symptoms much better these days. Having said that I can still get really anxious in group situations. For me my body and mind seems to stop functioning effectively. Sometimes in these situations I feel like the whole world is waiting for me to make a mistake. I understand this is completely irrational on my part. But my mind and body indicates something else. I’ve been involved in other group works over the years which has helped me over come my fears and help me understand my condition. The group work was extremely important as I meet other people from all walks of life that had similar symptoms as I had. I wasn’t alone anymore!