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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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orchid_5 Anxious when eating out with others
  • replies: 4

Hi everyone, I love food and have never had an eating disorder, but when I eat out with people who aren't family or close friends, I become really anxious. This wasn't really a problem until covid hit. As an example, the other night I went to a cooki... View more

Hi everyone, I love food and have never had an eating disorder, but when I eat out with people who aren't family or close friends, I become really anxious. This wasn't really a problem until covid hit. As an example, the other night I went to a cooking class with 10+ work colleagues. It wasn't until I was on my way there that I began feeling anxious. I started to relax a bit when I started chatting with my colleagues and while we were cooking. However, when it was time to eat what we had cooked, I felt sick. I tried to eat and felt like I was going to throw up so I went outside to get some air. When I came back I ate a bit, but I still felt really sick in my throat. I should mention that it also depends on the environment. The more casual the place is, the more relaxed I feel. I know it sounds strange, but I can't seem to get rid of the anxiety and I've been seeing a psychologist for a couple of years now. I don't know if this type of anxiety has a name, but I'd love to hear from others who may be experiencing the same thing, or who have overcome it. Thanks.

Katerinya Being unwell, having health anxiety and living alone right now is really hard
  • replies: 8

Hi everyone, This is partly a post to acknowledge how hard things are right now, and also to express that I’m super anxious this week. I’m unwell and am waiting on blood test results. I’m exhausted all the time, and feel BLAH. What’s making it worse ... View more

Hi everyone, This is partly a post to acknowledge how hard things are right now, and also to express that I’m super anxious this week. I’m unwell and am waiting on blood test results. I’m exhausted all the time, and feel BLAH. What’s making it worse is my health anxiety. I can’t stop thinking about how unwell I feel, and worrying that I might suddenly become really sick and nobody will be able to help me. I live alone and I’m experiencing some dizziness. I worry that I’ll collapse on the floor and not be found for days. While all my work colleagues are constantly complaining about not being able to escape their partners and families, I have to say I envy them a lot. Being alone and sick during a pandemic is so hard. No matter how unwell I feel, nobody can make me a cup of tea, or just sit with me to provide some comfort. This worry about ‘What if I get really sick’ is making things worse. So, to everyone living alone, feeling isolated or scared during this time, and wishing that you too could complain about having a family, I hear you. It’s hard.

Pinksky87 Can’t sleep alone
  • replies: 6

I recently moved into a unit. Ground floor. Single mother with 2 sml children. Last year my car was broken into in the garage here. A few months ago I came home and my house was broken into. Pulled the back door from the rail. My room was trashed and... View more

I recently moved into a unit. Ground floor. Single mother with 2 sml children. Last year my car was broken into in the garage here. A few months ago I came home and my house was broken into. Pulled the back door from the rail. My room was trashed and $$$ jewellery stolen. since then, I have been struggling to sleep. I sleep with all the lights on. My house is secure, I have wood in the slides now of all doors and windows. And I have an alarm. The other night there was a sound of wood falling. It was 1am. I woke with a fright and so did my bf. I screamed someone was breaking in. We ran toward the kids rooms and saw their beds empty. I immediately thought they had been kidnapped. I was hysterical. I then woke properly and realised they were with their dad. I was shaking and crying. It was the most terrifying moment of my life and I can’t get that feeling and moment out of my head. I know it sounds silly, but at that moment my kids had disappeared. i keep having flashbacks and replaying what happened. I’m going crazy checking the doors and windows. Sleeping with lights on.I’ve lost trust in my house and I don’t trust that I’m safe. Every little sound makes my heart drop. i want to feel better. I want to be able to sleep at night alone.

dirtbiker Struggling with anxiety
  • replies: 15

Hi everyone, I’ve been struggling with anxiety for a while now. Ever since my cousin died young a few years ago was when I started having anxiety attacks regularly and when my anxiety worsened, as my mum has always said she’s seen signs of symptoms i... View more

Hi everyone, I’ve been struggling with anxiety for a while now. Ever since my cousin died young a few years ago was when I started having anxiety attacks regularly and when my anxiety worsened, as my mum has always said she’s seen signs of symptoms in me however she won’t do anything about it no matter how many times I tell her I need help. I spoke to a support teacher the other day and she’s trying to get me in contact with the guidance counselor. I think it will help but I just don’t know as my mum will get really pissed off if she finds out about this contact with the guidance counselor. I’m just unsure what to do and I need advice

Natalie22 Anxiety and social worker
  • replies: 8

Hi,I recently had an appointment with a mental health social worker and I discussed a recent appointment and some medications I was taking.She was very adament that I should get new doctors and start fresh and stop my medication as she has read that ... View more

Hi,I recently had an appointment with a mental health social worker and I discussed a recent appointment and some medications I was taking.She was very adament that I should get new doctors and start fresh and stop my medication as she has read that medications such as ssri's and antidepressants do damage to the brain.I explained to her that I had already swapped a specialist and I was not going to do it again. She has made me feel really uncomfortable and I don't feel that I can go back again as she has made me feel worse.Thoughts please.

jenijenjen Social Anxiety
  • replies: 7

My Social Anxiety has become worse since Covid hit. Going into lockdown suited me fine but I lost the momentum I had in forcing myself to leave my house and visit people. Now if an opportunity comes up to be social, I start feeling physically sick an... View more

My Social Anxiety has become worse since Covid hit. Going into lockdown suited me fine but I lost the momentum I had in forcing myself to leave my house and visit people. Now if an opportunity comes up to be social, I start feeling physically sick and usually find an excuse to avoid being there.Does anyone have any coping strategies for these situations?

Beaser Im really scared about starting a new job. Have i made a terrible mistake?
  • replies: 28

Best wishes s to everyone. I m feeling really terrified at the moment . I did an induction at a new workplace yesterday and i found it so intimidating. I felt like crying and walking out. ive spoken before about not being happy and wanting to change ... View more

Best wishes s to everyone. I m feeling really terrified at the moment . I did an induction at a new workplace yesterday and i found it so intimidating. I felt like crying and walking out. ive spoken before about not being happy and wanting to change jobs. IM just so scared about what ive done now . I just want to be happy again ive worked hard all my life im 56 but im starting to feel tired. I m tired from this constant battle of anxiety and depression. Im not sure about where im headed at the moment and im really scared. I was wondering has anyone felt so lost with things at times. Im really scared at the moment. My best wiahes to everyone. Brett

teenytiny Lonely form of Anxiety
  • replies: 4

Hey, i am a newbie, i guess you’d say. haha not used to this forum stuff. i have only recently been struggling substantially with anxiety after a suicide attempt. i am super anxious to go home to live by myself and i really struggle without someone b... View more

Hey, i am a newbie, i guess you’d say. haha not used to this forum stuff. i have only recently been struggling substantially with anxiety after a suicide attempt. i am super anxious to go home to live by myself and i really struggle without someone being there constantly. it’s the fear of being alone with my thoughts. it’s not the fear that i will do anything again because everything got removed that i could harm myself with. any ideas on what is helpful with the anxiety or intrusive thoughts?

Rupes79 Guided Imagery
  • replies: 3

Hi All,I’m currently being treated for anxiety which is causing my all sorts of issues, including physical symptoms. It’s been very debilitating.This week I did some guided imagery with my therapist which unfortunately set me back as I found the sess... View more

Hi All,I’m currently being treated for anxiety which is causing my all sorts of issues, including physical symptoms. It’s been very debilitating.This week I did some guided imagery with my therapist which unfortunately set me back as I found the session too confronting. I had a particularly bad day between sessions which I will admit I handled badly but she wanted to use guided imagery to reimagine that situation and reframe it. I’m not sure what happened but I felt uncomfortable during the session and had a bad anxiety attack that night. The next 3 days were quite bad for me.Has anyone else had personal experience with this or other methods they have felt have been helpful?Thanks

kned Being present/grounding yourself??
  • replies: 7

I'm finding it really hard to be present with my husband and kids. My mind is always thinking about what I need to do (washing, cleaning etc), my job, the mental load that comes with having a young family and all the things I need to keep a track of.... View more

I'm finding it really hard to be present with my husband and kids. My mind is always thinking about what I need to do (washing, cleaning etc), my job, the mental load that comes with having a young family and all the things I need to keep a track of. I feel like it is getting too much for me. Like my husband is a housemate and we are drifting along but on different paths. I spoke to a Psychologist 6 months ago and they were really lovely, but basically just said to me that my life was too busy and I needed to change things. I tried but I just cant find a way to change it! My kids and their needs will always be there, my work is part time but it is basically a full time job squeezed into less days. I try to have time out for myself but it rarely happens due to various reasons. I feel anxious often and like life is rushing by but I'm not really enjoying it/feeling pleasure in the small things. Are there any apps that help with anxiety? or websites with ideas to try?

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