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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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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!

PsychedelicFur I Don’t Like My Face
  • replies: 7

Hello, I don’t like my face. And I keep wearing my mask in public because I don’t like my face. I’m scared that I have a double chin, wide nose, uneven-messy eyebrows, dark circles under my eyes and puppet mouth wrinkles. people ask me ALL of the tim... View more

Hello, I don’t like my face. And I keep wearing my mask in public because I don’t like my face. I’m scared that I have a double chin, wide nose, uneven-messy eyebrows, dark circles under my eyes and puppet mouth wrinkles. people ask me ALL of the time to stop wearing my face mask. However, it has been my only comfort thing for SO LONG now. I feel lost without it and I strongly believe people treat me badly because my looks are not deemed ‘desirable’ How can I become more confident? PF

Jae85 Severe Health Anxiety
  • replies: 9

Hi, I’m 35 and last week, woke up with a sudden onset of floaters and over the next couple of days I had blurry vision. I then had a numb(ish) right leg. I went to the optometrist who said I had great eye health, astigmatism and gave me anti blue lig... View more

Hi, I’m 35 and last week, woke up with a sudden onset of floaters and over the next couple of days I had blurry vision. I then had a numb(ish) right leg. I went to the optometrist who said I had great eye health, astigmatism and gave me anti blue light glasses with a slight magnifying lens. I then had prickly kind of sensations and freaked out and went to the hospital. Over the course of a night, I had a CT scan (with dye), all my bloods done and a brain MRI.. everything came back ok and they found nothing abnormal on my MRI to suggest MS, but I’m still freaking out. I feel like my legs twitch etc and it sends me into a panic!!! I’m so severely anxious and stressed. I have been given a referral to see a neurologist and it can’t come soon enough, as I’m obsessing over looking up symptoms on-line and I truly feel as though I have it.. can anyone put my mind at ease? I know anxiety can do awful things to your body... can I really just go off a brain MRI? thanks x

thisisalongshot Pregnancy triggering ED
  • replies: 1

Hi all, I had quite severe anorexia as a young adult. It coincided with a lot of other issues including complex PTSD and culminated in psychosis, the medication for which caused rapid weight gain and as a result my ED was never directly treated. I am... View more

Hi all, I had quite severe anorexia as a young adult. It coincided with a lot of other issues including complex PTSD and culminated in psychosis, the medication for which caused rapid weight gain and as a result my ED was never directly treated. I am currently in my second trimester of pregnancy. At the start of my pregnancy my BMI had reached 30 (obese) due to stress eating from fertility treatment, my psych meds and PCOS. My husband is extremely controlling and obviously with pregnancy I am gaining weight rapidly, both issues being huge triggers for my anorexia. I am trying my best to eat ‘enough’ for the baby and physically my health is fine due to a high starting weight, but mentally I feel like I am falling apart. The only thing I have that I feel would help me cope right now, restricted eating, is not an option. I have had a long MH history and frankly I’m sick of doctors, although I have tried seeking help I’ve mostly been brushed off on this issue. Granted I haven’t been very persistent. I don’t really know what I came here to ask but after being told today that I need to wait at least a month to see someone, who will probably brush me off again, I just wanted to get it off my chest in a (hopefully) judgment free zone. Just looking for some comfort or alternative coping strategies, tips for getting the docs to take this seriously etc. thanks guys

CatMummy1 Anxious and feeling helpless
  • replies: 3

I'm reaching out because I'm feeling totally lost. I moved to Australia from overseas to be with my partner. There are cultural differences between our families and his family are devout Christian. We wanted to start a family and were worried that wi... View more

I'm reaching out because I'm feeling totally lost. I moved to Australia from overseas to be with my partner. There are cultural differences between our families and his family are devout Christian. We wanted to start a family and were worried that without being married it would cause upset. With Covid meaning travel is a little uncertain We decided to elope with a few friends. We figured that would be the fairest way . Fast forward a month later my in laws still haven't forgiven us as they feel they should have been invited even if my family couldn't be there. The whole situation has sent me into a deep depression and state of anxiety. I haven't seen my family in 3 years, I'm an only child and I moved here to be with my now husband. It feels as though to my in laws my family don't matter. I honestly don't know what to do or think anymore I have gradually gotten worse over the last few weeks and I struggle to eat and sleep let alone concentrate. Im worried it will drive a wedge between my husband and I. My husband now feels it was a mistake to get married. I've tried to talk to him and figure out how to fix things with family but he shuts down at conflict and also doesn't really understand my level of anxiety. i honestly don't know what to do.

RosalieZ Breakup and Anxiety
  • replies: 1

Hi, all my life i have wanted to be in a long term relationship and I have never been that 'casual' person. I was with my boyfriend for a year and a half (im 28 and hes 34.) I have GAD which I can control, I take medication daily. But out of what see... View more

Hi, all my life i have wanted to be in a long term relationship and I have never been that 'casual' person. I was with my boyfriend for a year and a half (im 28 and hes 34.) I have GAD which I can control, I take medication daily. But out of what seemed for me, nowhere, he started getting distant with me and we ended up breaking up due to him not being 'ready to commit'. This obviously was hard as I thought we would be together forever. And I kept thinking how dare he not want to be with me im great! I just couldn't wrap my head around it. I've been seeing people from dating apps etc but no one seems ready to commit?? I'm just so frustrated and it gives me serious anxiety. Why does no one want to commit? Im talking people in their mid 30's who specify that they want a relationship. Any tips on how to feel better about this would be helpful. Thanks R

greendino when did you first become aware of your anxiety?
  • replies: 3

hi all, i recently started a new job after a horrible experience at a previous workplace. im 15, nearly 16, and was so excited to finally make some money after a few months off due to COVID-19. the people there are so lovely and all very chill, but i... View more

hi all, i recently started a new job after a horrible experience at a previous workplace. im 15, nearly 16, and was so excited to finally make some money after a few months off due to COVID-19. the people there are so lovely and all very chill, but i noticed that after my first shift i was getting extreme stomach aches days before my next shift. at the time i didn’t know why, but all i knew is that it was followed by shakiness and feeling light headed. i am usually known for having a bright bubbly personality, always seeing things on the bright side, but since i had started the job i felt a lot less bright and was really struggling to gain any motivation and would instead dwell on these stomach aches, until i finally told my mum. for a bit of backstory, my family has a history of depression and anxiety so my parents are very proactive when it comes to their kids mental health and well-being. my stomach aches, shakiness and light headedness quickly turned into panics before work which would leave me in tears. i dreaded going into work even though it was twice a week for 8 hours all up. i tried to push through and make it through shifts and build up confidence to go into work, but it ended up being way to panic inducing, so i ultimately came to the conclusion that i should resign until i have my panic attacks and anxiety surrounding working under control. the anxiety started off being based on how poorly i was treated at my pervious job, but over a few weeks i started feeling more and more anxious about more and more things. this was when my parents really started to notice my change in personality, how i stopped doing simple tasks like cleaning my room. i am consistently tired and have a feeling of dullness all the time. i haven’t sincerely felt happy in 2 months. i feel as though there is nothing ahead of me, just the same numbness forever until i die, which makes me feel very content with death, not bothered at all if i do die. i am booked for a psych appointment in feb, but time feels like it’s dragging slowly and i haven’t had a decent sleep in weeks. asleep by 3 am, awake by 7, drowsy until 12, calm/dull until night. it’s an endless cycle that i can’t seem to kick. i never knew this would be so hard to cope with, is this what’s to be expected or am i just sensitive? geez posting this lifts a whole weight off my shoulders, even if no one sees it.