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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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Mina19 Anxiety weight loss??
  • replies: 6

Hi people, since I think early January I’ve been loosing weight. I’ve done a full blood test and it came back totally fine, just a few vitamins were a little low. My doctor knows I have a history of severe anxiety, a bit of depression and PTSD and sa... View more

Hi people, since I think early January I’ve been loosing weight. I’ve done a full blood test and it came back totally fine, just a few vitamins were a little low. My doctor knows I have a history of severe anxiety, a bit of depression and PTSD and said if the bloods were normal he’s really thinking it’s because of my mental health and maybe I’m not eating as much as normal from stress. Even my mum and dad has said you don’t seem like you’re eating much like you have a small meal and that’s it. Like I’m not trying to eat less, I’m thinking it’s just happening like I’m not hungry because I’m worried sort of thing. I do remember also in early January when I think this kind of started I had an encounter with a violent family member who I rarely see and they were being extremely mentally abusive to me at the time and it literally made me very scared. I don’t know, I’m just wanting to get some advice, things have been so hard with my anxiety and it always makes me worried too like what if I have some kind of disease or illness. Sorry for the long post and thanks for reading.

Mershy Anxiety Group sessions
  • replies: 2

Hello, I’m new to this and would like to know if there are online group sessions that discuss anxiety. I recently attended an online Zoom session at another service and found it really helpful, but they only do them once a month. I was wondering if t... View more

Hello, I’m new to this and would like to know if there are online group sessions that discuss anxiety. I recently attended an online Zoom session at another service and found it really helpful, but they only do them once a month. I was wondering if this service offers the same thing. Kind Regards, Michelle

MedievalMelody Social Issues
  • replies: 3

Hey! I'm new to this forum but have visited the beyond blue website quite a lot through the past years. I've suffered from GAD and OCD since I was eight, and now moving into year 7 things have just seemed to decline right after they started improving... View more

Hey! I'm new to this forum but have visited the beyond blue website quite a lot through the past years. I've suffered from GAD and OCD since I was eight, and now moving into year 7 things have just seemed to decline right after they started improving, and I've been finding it difficult to sustain healthy friendships. I was extremely excited for highschool, but began to get sick of it within the first week.i came to my highschool unaccompanied by any of my primary school friends, so I was completely on my own. By the second week, I had made a few friends but moved on from them as I realised I didn't really like them (we just weren't the right types of people for eachother if you know what I mean). I began to hate every boring, continuous class and sometimes I wound up on the verge of a panic attack as I just got trapped in my thoughts. I randomly get sharp pains through my body, headaches, rapid heart beat, itchiness or other symptoms which just make me feel uncomfortable. I finally settled in to a friend group and my near anxiety attacks subsided, but then I noticed a problem. You see, I joined a friendship group which was already a trio who really liked eachother. I slowly became friends with them - two of the three really enjoyed my company and I enjoyed theirs so I stayed. But the third person Dislikes me, or at least she acts that way. She tells me that nobody cares when I try to share something, she subtly singles me out and makes me feel unwanted or out of place. She might not mean harm in what she does or says, but it's really upsetting as all I want is to be friends with her. She speaks down to me and makes it clear that she doesn't like me as much as the others. My parents keep telling me to just make new friends but its really not that easy. I know everyone in my home group and these three girls are the only people who can match my energy except for that one girl. Now my anxiety is creeping back again and I have no will to got to school each day. Don't get me wrong, I love school and i love learning. I get good grades and I'm very social. But now I just dread coming to school and it feels like there's nothing to look forward to. Life is like a chore at this point. Sometimes I cant even cry or feel sad and I don't know if it's because I can't feel bothered to or I'm just overreacting. I dont know what's happening. If anyone can give me advice/support I would strongly appreciate it. Thank you and have a lovely day/evening.

Irish68 My mum has out of control anxiety.
  • replies: 5

Hi everyone. I’m at my wit’s end. I’m sure my Mum is suffering from PTSD. She’s in her 80 ‘S & she has had a life filled with sadness, abuse, grief & tragedy. Today, I believe as a result of going through life “ just getting on with it” she’s a compl... View more

Hi everyone. I’m at my wit’s end. I’m sure my Mum is suffering from PTSD. She’s in her 80 ‘S & she has had a life filled with sadness, abuse, grief & tragedy. Today, I believe as a result of going through life “ just getting on with it” she’s a complete mess. She’s on medication for it & I have her and her sister seeing a Geriatrition psychiatrist. Nothing seems to help. Her hearing has deteriorated &, according to her, this is traumatic & makes her unable to be happy ever. Please, can anyone here please help?

Calli_198 Asbestos anxiety
  • replies: 9

Hi all, Would really like some advice on how to cope with this overwhelming anxiety I am feeling right now. I have never been diagnosed with anxiety but believe I do have it and certain situations set my anxiety off to the point I can no longer deal ... View more

Hi all, Would really like some advice on how to cope with this overwhelming anxiety I am feeling right now. I have never been diagnosed with anxiety but believe I do have it and certain situations set my anxiety off to the point I can no longer deal with the thoughts. Recently, there was asbestos removal undertaken next door. I had been really concerned about this removal and on the day of the removal some how our external door (which is on the top story of our house on the same side as the asbestos removal) which I checked was locked, had blown open. I’m not sure how long it was open for but I fear now my kids will be harmed from this as they were indoors but in the same room where the door was opened. I feel like asbestos fibres could have blown into the house as it was a bit windy that day and feel they are still in the house. My kind keeps playing the situation over in my mind and I feel this overwhelming guilt that I have hurt my children. In checking the door was locked I must have opened it by accident. I feel sick to the stomach when I think about, have been waking up with panic attacks and no matter what I do I can’t feel a sense of calm. In googling conditions associated with asbestos it says they take 20-50 years to develop. I worry I am going to feel this worry my whole life. It is disabiling and stops me from doing simple tasks in my day to day life. Whenever I pick myself up, my mind goes straight to the situation. Please any advice, I am struggling to forget this and keep going with my life!

Shizzle How do you manage really bad bouts of anxiety? I cant live like this
  • replies: 6

I have had anxiety all my life - but have mostly self managed it - grabbing soma holidays from time time when I have really needed it from reluctant doctors and its worked well for the most part for me personally Although I occasionally I get depress... View more

I have had anxiety all my life - but have mostly self managed it - grabbing soma holidays from time time when I have really needed it from reluctant doctors and its worked well for the most part for me personally Although I occasionally I get depression - I am not overly prone to it - but the anxiety can be bad - but never had anxiety in this flavour Anyway- recently I had a whole tonne of life changes hit my life at once - more than I would think is reasonable for anyone to take on at once (both good and bad ) Anxiety got so bad - I just wasnt coping at all with moods swinging from one side of the spectrum to the other- I went to the doctor for the first time looking for a longer term solution as well as a temporary soma holiday to get through a few weeks - finding myself racing and ranting one minute and well you know what anxiety is like when its at it height- I got put on anti depressants which are supposed to have an anti anxiety effect as well Its been about 3 going on 4 weeks - and I am getting intrusive thoughts (which is highly unusual but could be also due to the type of stress I am under ) - and honestly I dont feel much better and I am still swinging like a pendulum in moods My question is how do I manage anxiety this bad that you are all over the place ? I cant live like this - its driving me insane - I am not managing it - I can barely pretend in public that I am What do I do?

Alotgoingon Medication for anxiety, what was your experience?
  • replies: 13

Hi All, I am a mum of a toddler and have had issues with anxiety for as long as I can remember, but recently they have started to get worse (over the past 5 months or so). Some days I feel wonderful and other days I wake up feeling nauseous and jitte... View more

Hi All, I am a mum of a toddler and have had issues with anxiety for as long as I can remember, but recently they have started to get worse (over the past 5 months or so). Some days I feel wonderful and other days I wake up feeling nauseous and jittery, it is really inconsistent. I have a great psychologist but my Dr recently spoke to me about using medication to balance what he thinks is a hereditary chemical imbalance in my brain which is causing the anxiety. I have read about the side effects and they scare me to be honest. I am healthy, I regularly practice meditation and breathwork and am seeing a psychologist which all help in the short term but I am still finding myself in an anxious state throughout the day. Has anyone used medication for a similar issue and noticed an improvement? Just looking for people who have been where I am & have found medication to be useful. I have never been medicated for my anxiety but I'd love to start feeling better!

AliMa Serious burnout - what worked for you
  • replies: 16

I have been feeling burnt out for a long time and finally hit the wall a few weeks ago. I had/have nothing left in the tank. I went to my GP and she gave me 2 weeks off work. She told me just to rest and to do nothing apart from watch TV, sleep, and ... View more

I have been feeling burnt out for a long time and finally hit the wall a few weeks ago. I had/have nothing left in the tank. I went to my GP and she gave me 2 weeks off work. She told me just to rest and to do nothing apart from watch TV, sleep, and perhaps work on something creative. At first I felt ok (apart from feeling guilty for not being at work, I love my job) but after a while I found myself back to feeling the same - super stressed and exhausted. I went back to see her today. She said that the 2 weeks off wasn't enough and that I am in a crisis state of high stress and that I am still not fit for work. She also said I need to be careful that my burnout doesn't turn into depression, which obviously concerned me. She has given me another 2 weeks off and prescribed me 1 weeks worth of diazepam to see if I can start to feel less stressed and anxious, and to help me see things more clearly so I can make some decisions about next steps. She also suggested that I see a psychologist but not right now - that I am too stressed at the moment and that now is not the time to work on strategies etc to address the stressors. To perhaps give that a few more weeks. I thought that was interesting as my instinct is to read up on burnout and stress to help me make sense of how I am feeling and to try and start to put in place strategies for the stressors I can control, but on the other hand, I see what she is saying in that I might be in too fragile a state to do that well now. I guess I am posting to hear from others with experience of serious burnout (especially those that have perfectionist tendencies) as to what worked for them and how they found their way forward. Any advice appreciated.

Alotgoingon Covid / Isolation
  • replies: 3

Hello everyone I have tested positive to Covid and am now in isolation with a small child and feeling pretty average. I'm feeling so guilty because I have no energy to keep my child entertained so they've been watching so much TV . I am also feeling ... View more

Hello everyone I have tested positive to Covid and am now in isolation with a small child and feeling pretty average. I'm feeling so guilty because I have no energy to keep my child entertained so they've been watching so much TV . I am also feeling anxious about the short and long term effects of Covid. I'm triple vaxxed and so I am disappointed that i'm still getting quite awful symptoms, really tired, fatigued, body aches, runny nose etc, especially because the booster made me really unwell. I have health anxiety so this certainly isn't helping. My husband is also positive but can work from home so is working all day today which means it's just me and my toddler all day today which I feel super overwhelming. Any words of advice or wisdom? Please no anti vax comments, I'm just after support.

AndyMx Health and Postpartum Anxiety
  • replies: 7

I have been suffering of anxiety for a few years now, especially health anxiety around cancer. I was doing well but after a visit to the Breast Clinic I totally went downhill. They took a biopsy and didn't find anything sinister but told me to come b... View more

I have been suffering of anxiety for a few years now, especially health anxiety around cancer. I was doing well but after a visit to the Breast Clinic I totally went downhill. They took a biopsy and didn't find anything sinister but told me to come back in 3 months for an ultrasound. Right after that day I started getting pain in the armpit, shoulder on the side of that specific breast. I started having panic attacks and to make matters worse I am alone for a couple of weeks taking care of my baby. I am trying to keep it together and I am on the waitlist for Gidget House but it is so hard! I can barely eat and the thought that maybe I have cancer but they missed it makes me so scared. The GP wanted to prescribe me some Valium but it wasn't clear if I can take it when breastfeeding so I refused. Does anybody have any encouragement? I made an appointment to the Breast Clinic in 6 weeks instead of 12, and I still feel like I won't be calm until then.