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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. Remeber, this is anonymous and the Beyond Blue team are here to help if you need it This section is for people who are experiencing anixiety 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 you 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 worthile 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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Rupes79 Managing OCD
  • replies: 2

Hi All, Until the last couple of weeks I thought I had gotten on top of my OCD. Had a breakthrough will my psychologist and things were looking better after a very dark period. Unfortunately it’s returned with force and heightened my anxiety and I ca... View more

Hi All, Until the last couple of weeks I thought I had gotten on top of my OCD. Had a breakthrough will my psychologist and things were looking better after a very dark period. Unfortunately it’s returned with force and heightened my anxiety and I can feel myself becoming overwhelmed and slipping back into a depressed state. Has anyone had a similar experience? What has helped you get on top of your OCD? Thanks

Rubybleu Physical anxiety symptoms - muscle twitches, cramps, weakness
  • replies: 116

The past week or two I’ve been totally ruled by my health anxiety. I started having a weak feeling in my left hand and arm and something about MND came on TV and now of course I have MND. I’ve been experiencing muscle twitches and cramps/sore muscles... View more

The past week or two I’ve been totally ruled by my health anxiety. I started having a weak feeling in my left hand and arm and something about MND came on TV and now of course I have MND. I’ve been experiencing muscle twitches and cramps/sore muscles, mainly in my calves and forearms. I saw my Dr in relation to this and he tested my reflexes, strength and pulses and all was fine. I keep trying to reason with myself but I just can’t shake this MND idea. It’s ridiculous. My Dr only prescribed medication to take when I’m having a really bad moment but the problem is I’m having these every day for most of the day. Is anyone else experiencing this type of physical anxiety symptoms? This is all new to me as I’ve never experienced this type of anxiety before.

Justin95 Life of suffering?
  • replies: 5

I dropped out of high school year 10 (2016) because I couldn’t concentrate on my class work because of my ADHD. During this time up until now (2021) I read books constantly everyday and meditate to control my ADHD and possibly Bipolar disorder. It’s ... View more

I dropped out of high school year 10 (2016) because I couldn’t concentrate on my class work because of my ADHD. During this time up until now (2021) I read books constantly everyday and meditate to control my ADHD and possibly Bipolar disorder. It’s been almost 5 years since I left school and I’m planning to return and start my year 11 classes (2022). But I just don’t feel ready. My mom shouts at me tells me to act tough and stop being lazy, but I’m doing my best. Last night I checked my Facebook and saw old friends graduating uni and others already have girlfriends, while I haven’t even finished night school. I even saw my CRUSH have a boyfriend who looks handsome than me. I feel so low and behind. I read and study but I still can’t learn properly I feel like an idiot. PLEASE don’t recommend me to talk to some random suicide helpline because what I’m feeling is so overwhelming.

Jay_Tee22 Health Anxiety getting the best of me
  • replies: 5

Hi all, Hope everyone is well. i just came seeking advice/reassurance. I am 33 years old, have suffered from anxiety for a long time, was seeing a psychologist until this year as I thought I was better but I think covid lockdowns got the best of me. ... View more

Hi all, Hope everyone is well. i just came seeking advice/reassurance. I am 33 years old, have suffered from anxiety for a long time, was seeing a psychologist until this year as I thought I was better but I think covid lockdowns got the best of me. Anyway, recently my health anxiety has spiked big time, restless and constant worry set in that something was wrong with me, I decided i’d go and get a blood test and results came back today and one of my levels was elevated, doctor said mild but on the form she gave me it said high levels. Anyway I told her I am suffering big time with health anxiety and this was the last thing I wanted to hear, having anything wrong, she advised me not to worry and just wants to see whats causing this elevated level. I am now booked in for ultrasound and another blood test and won’t get results until Monday next week. As much as she told me not to worry, I am constantly worried, the doctor said to me she over investigates things anyway and also said I should be more concerned about getting Covid rather than whatever this is (weirdly that was somewhat reassuring to me) because I just don’t want whatever this is to be anything sinister. However like with anxiety we overthink and analyze everything that was said and worry about it and think what if they mean this or that etc - she giggled at one point as I asked whats worst case with this and she said I won’t tell you worst case cause that would stress me out - that in itself has stressed me out. My partner told me that if they thought it was really bad, they would send you straight to hospital or refer you to a specialist and not continue doing tests themselves as they are just GP’s. After all of this, I am just in a panic and worry! It’s really hard to cope with! As much as people say don’t worry about it, that is just as hard not to do.

jsm1974 Anxiety out of control
  • replies: 18

Hi all, My wife and I are (probably) separating due, ironically, to a bout with either anxiety or depression (or both) on her end which has made her feel numb. As a result, my own anxiety has been out of control....multiple panic attacks every day an... View more

Hi all, My wife and I are (probably) separating due, ironically, to a bout with either anxiety or depression (or both) on her end which has made her feel numb. As a result, my own anxiety has been out of control....multiple panic attacks every day and 'fight or flight' jitters the rest of the time....to the point that I cannot even eat, let alone do anything to distract me. I've been on medication for dysthymia, MDD, GAD, and ADHD for quite a while, but medication isn't really cutting it. I have never in my life experienced anything like this. I'm trying so hard to be there for her and to give her the time and space that she needs, but I feel as if I am failing in that regard as she can see right through me. I know I need to get my head right before I can be of any real comfort to her. I've been working at using mindfulness techniques, but much of the time I can't even identify the offending thought. I have had a few moments of respite here and there, but I can't seem to identify a pattern there. Does anyone have any techniques or strategies that I could use to calm my head/body down enough to be able to use mindfulness? I've been like this for well over a month, which simply can't be healthy and is definitely not helping me support my wife.

Justin95 Depressed about my appearance
  • replies: 3

Why is it that I constantly compare my appearance to other people. I am a male that is 5 foot 8. I’m 22 years old. At 75kilos. Just today I saw a man that looked better than me, he had a v shaped chest with a six pack abs. He gets plenty of attention... View more

Why is it that I constantly compare my appearance to other people. I am a male that is 5 foot 8. I’m 22 years old. At 75kilos. Just today I saw a man that looked better than me, he had a v shaped chest with a six pack abs. He gets plenty of attention especially from the ladies but I get ignored. No matter how I try too look good I always feel ugly when I go outside. Is there something wrong with me. How do you feel when there’s someone better looking than you? I’m just obsessed with the way I look.

MissJ94 Not good at anything
  • replies: 4

Hi All, Me again! Ive now been out of work for over a month. Im a registered nurse and finding it impossible to get a job. I feel like this time im more confident in my interviews but i keep getting rejected. Everytime i get asked "what made you leav... View more

Hi All, Me again! Ive now been out of work for over a month. Im a registered nurse and finding it impossible to get a job. I feel like this time im more confident in my interviews but i keep getting rejected. Everytime i get asked "what made you leave your previous job?" I end up breaking down in front of these people running the interview because of what happened at my last job, the harassment, the stalking. I dont know if thats whats bringing me down but i cant help but react that way. Lately the interviews ive been having, after them i just feel incompetent at even being a registered nurse. That feeling intensifies when i get the call or email to say i havent been successful. Im struggling to put more applications in for a job because i just dont feel joy at all doing it. Its a stressful job, and looking back i just have no passion left for nursing. I feel depressed at the thought of going back into nursing, i havent been happy at all working as a nurse. Ive been working in aged care which is the opposite end of where ive always wanted to work(midwifery). Its impossible to get a job in the hospitals when you dont have any hospital training. I just feel too stupid to be a nurse. And after doing some of my midwifery course(undergraduate), i even feel too stupid to be in that. I feel like im severely lacking in something. I hear of people working fulltime and really succeeding in their careers and i have no idea how they do it. I went into nursing thinking a job would be easy to come by and id have a heap of support and further education opportunities but its been the complete opposite. I got extremely burnt out working fulltime, it didnt work with my medication for bipolar. I moved on to part time night shifts and was severely lacking support which lead to the harassment and stalking by another staff. I would love to work in family/child health nursing but thats a 3 year course... even then i feel too stupid for it.. Its like theres no job out there for me, that im too stupid for it all. The guy im seeing has suggested going into hospitality where he works but that scares the crap out of me. Yeah theyre in major need of staff but i know for sure id end up breaking everything or something majorly going wrong and then with so many people to see it. I do those job quizzes to see what i might like but that changes on an almost hourly basis depending on my mood or energy levels. Just feel like i have no fight left. I really dont know what im doing anymore.

Justin95 Comparison is the death of happiness
  • replies: 1

Why is it that I constantly compare my appearance to other people. I am a male that is 5 foot 8. I’m 22 years old. At 75kilos. Just today I saw a man that looked better than me, he had a v shaped chest with a six pack abs. He gets plenty of attention... View more

Why is it that I constantly compare my appearance to other people. I am a male that is 5 foot 8. I’m 22 years old. At 75kilos. Just today I saw a man that looked better than me, he had a v shaped chest with a six pack abs. He gets plenty of attention especially from the ladies but I get ignored. No matter how I try too look good I always feel ugly when I go outside. Is there something wrong with me. How do you feel when there’s someone better looking than you?

PsychedelicFur Feeling out of place
  • replies: 2

Hello all, Let me give a short clarification ; I have always been what most would call a ‘solitary loner.’ Sure - I’ve had friends! Although I have never HAD A BEST FRIEND REALLY. Although many were not exactly my age. More of the older demographic, ... View more

Hello all, Let me give a short clarification ; I have always been what most would call a ‘solitary loner.’ Sure - I’ve had friends! Although I have never HAD A BEST FRIEND REALLY. Although many were not exactly my age. More of the older demographic, if you will. I just feel incredibly lonely and like such a misfit. I feel like a sore toe that is sticking out, quite hideously and badly. When I finally find someone who I genuinely think could make a great ‘best friend’ I then shortly find out that they already have someone that they call - a best friend. I have never been someone’s best friend. And it really stinks! I suppose, I don’t really like the term ‘best friend’ anyway...come to think of it! I feel so out of place. So disorientated. And even more so utterly devastated and confused. Recently, I was diagnosed with high functioning autism by my psychologist. I proud of myself for getting a proper diagnosis. And above all of that it was a bit of a relief for me. Finally I could identify the problem.. not that autism is a problem as such. I just finally knew that my brain was not wired like a non-autistic person’s. So I think a lot differently to most people. I just feel trapped and heavily misunderstood. I feel like I am just there in the corner and people don’t want to understand me because I am a little eccentric (personality and appearance wise) I feel misunderstood, overlooked and quite honestly a little invisible! Signed a sad, PF

blue_skies1 OCD?
  • replies: 13

Hi, I was wondering if anyone could help me point me in the right direction to get help about my irrational behaviours. The one that affects my life the most at this moment is the number of times I need to vacuum clean a day. To me, it doesn't feel l... View more

Hi, I was wondering if anyone could help me point me in the right direction to get help about my irrational behaviours. The one that affects my life the most at this moment is the number of times I need to vacuum clean a day. To me, it doesn't feel like a big task (as I just use the stick vacuum) to sweep up any crumbs or pet hairs I can see on the floors. But the problem is that it drives my partner crazy. He says it's excessive the amount of times I vacuum (I probably use the stick vacuum about 4-5 times to pick up things from the floor). I know it probably is unreasonable but if I don't do it, I can't relax and feel comfortable. I feel like I'm not even a 'clean freak' because there are other filthy places of the house I won't bother cleaning, it's more the visible things on the floor that I can't stand. I also noticed more recently I can't stand the way the carpet pile goes in different directions and I need it smoothed out. I'll step over uneven patches to make them smooth again (I know this is irrational but I can't stop doing it). During my high school years I had also experienced excessive hand washing that was very detrimental to the skin on my hands - they were always cracked and sore from overwashing. I couldn't get rid of the 'dusty' feeling on my hands and it could only be relieved from washing them with soap. I have no idea how or when I left that behaviour behind but I don't do that anymore. This was more for some background information but I'm more concerned about how I can actually stop the urge to vacuum so often. I KNOW it doesn't need to be done more than once a day, but how do I leave it alone? I feel hopeless because these behaviours are beginning to impact others. Does anyone know whether it sounds like OCD? Because recent articles I've read keep saying that 'OCD isn't about cleanliness etc' so I'm confused as to whether it is. Thank you to anyone who has bothered to read this extremely long post.