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

All discussions

River77 Throat issues and anxiety
  • replies: 9

Hi does anyone else suffer throat sensations due to anxiety? I have one particular spot deep in my throat that feels like lump that comes and goes, but what really scares me is some pinching pains I experienced, also ear ache and sensation in ear , j... View more

Hi does anyone else suffer throat sensations due to anxiety? I have one particular spot deep in my throat that feels like lump that comes and goes, but what really scares me is some pinching pains I experienced, also ear ache and sensation in ear , just one side of the face, and sometimes aches in that one spot or burns in the throat . So ,I saw ENT who couldn’t see nothing , swan done nothing, now I got from different doctor referral for U/S .... of course I fear cancer! Many thanks for your replies!

MissJ94 Dealing with social anxiety
  • replies: 3

How do i manage this? I have no friends, the only people i talk to are a couple family members. I cant maintain relationships because i panic that theyre hiding something or that theyre just going to let me go so i let them go first to avoid that hap... View more

How do i manage this? I have no friends, the only people i talk to are a couple family members. I cant maintain relationships because i panic that theyre hiding something or that theyre just going to let me go so i let them go first to avoid that happening, if that makes sense? All thanks to previous abusive relationships. I get very anxious even going to the shop. I have everything delivered or as click and collect to avoid being around people. I only do the click and collect if the delivery isnt available. I want friends, i want a social life, but this anxiety gets so bad. Even job interviews, ill have them locked in and then completely miss it without letting them know because of this anxiety! I have a job interview tomorrow, a job i REALLY am hoping on getting! Its literally a 5min walk for me. But im already having thoughts of just not turning up! Even going for a walk, i fear that people will see me and judge me, talk about me negatively. Every time im out i feel like everyones eyes are on me. Is it because im dressed funny? Because im overweight? Do i just look angry and thats why i feel like people stare? Do i walk weird or too fast? How is it possible to deal with it?

Trichster Me and my Trich
  • replies: 7

Hey guys! I’m trichster and I have Trichotillomania. For anyone out there who doesn’t understand what it is or for people who have it (like me) I’m writing this to help. Trich is a lot to deal with, and I know because I have it. I pulled my eyelashes... View more

Hey guys! I’m trichster and I have Trichotillomania. For anyone out there who doesn’t understand what it is or for people who have it (like me) I’m writing this to help. Trich is a lot to deal with, and I know because I have it. I pulled my eyelashes when I was young, I eventually got over it, then when I did a dance comp I had to have makeup on and it came back. This time on my eyelashes AND my eyebrows. It’s been a tough time and I know mine can be worse or yours can be worse but all I want to do is help others and get help myself. Here are some strategies I use/used to help me. Worry stones-stones with a flat side to help stress (stress may be to do with picking), any fidget toys such as squishy’s, slime or play dough, go to your happy place- where you feel safe, welcomed and happy-where you can get distracted and not pick and my personal favourite, just tell yourself you can do it and you aren’t going to pick. Anyway thanks for your help. I really appreciate it. Thank you.

Jazzy135 Anxiety and depression
  • replies: 8

My anxiety and depression is debilitating. Every day I convince myself I have a new disease and it's exhausting. Who would have thought anxiety could create physical symptoms to accompany the torment already going on in my mind

My anxiety and depression is debilitating. Every day I convince myself I have a new disease and it's exhausting. Who would have thought anxiety could create physical symptoms to accompany the torment already going on in my mind

Buzzybees101 Anxiety after pfizer :/
  • replies: 4

Hey all, I received my 2nd shot of Pfizer 3 weeks ago, and my heart rate has been seriously high on and off since. I've always suffered with anxiety and had alot of health anxiety when I was younger, and I can't tell if this is just my anxiety over a... View more

Hey all, I received my 2nd shot of Pfizer 3 weeks ago, and my heart rate has been seriously high on and off since. I've always suffered with anxiety and had alot of health anxiety when I was younger, and I can't tell if this is just my anxiety over all the side effects you read about, or if there is anything wrong, I went to ED and they did an ecg but couldn't draw blood because I am scared of needles they said the ecg is ok but had some small abnormalities... I am going to a gp tomorrow and hopefully will be able to let them take a blood test and get to the bottom of it, if it's anything, the doctor at the hospital said it's nothing sinister and they have had alot of people with this but nothing has been wrong and they don't know why people keep going to the hospital with this... has anyone here experienced this for weeks post vaccine and if so, how do you cope? Thank you. '

Matt_y Anxiety triggers Anger
  • replies: 2

Hi all, First time reaching out on a forum like this. Main reason it’s taken me so long is that I have only just realised that the idea of talking to someone face to face, or even to someone I hold dear, is just not realistic for me. For some reason ... View more

Hi all, First time reaching out on a forum like this. Main reason it’s taken me so long is that I have only just realised that the idea of talking to someone face to face, or even to someone I hold dear, is just not realistic for me. For some reason it actually compounds my anxiety which comes out in my worst trait, anger! This is something I hate. Let me say right now, that this anger is not physical in any way, but I would say it’s bordering on mental abuse to those close to me as I am unable to talk to them about anxiety or make them understand on how I’m feeling. has anyone else had an instance like this when the pills are only doing so much, and y out feel toy can’t talk to a professional or to those toy love and it makes it worse? Just looking for some coping mechanisms

GraceyJ Anxiety after drinking
  • replies: 5

Hi, I’ve been feeling really low and embarrassed after too many drinks on NYE. I was having a great time but then had too many and got emotional and then sick. My friends looked after me and took me home which was very much appreciated. I feel so hor... View more

Hi, I’ve been feeling really low and embarrassed after too many drinks on NYE. I was having a great time but then had too many and got emotional and then sick. My friends looked after me and took me home which was very much appreciated. I feel so horrible to have ended everyone night like that. My friends say it was ok and they didn’t mind but it doesn’t take away the guilt or embarrassment. There are also parts I don’t remember which makes me feel even worse. I know these feelings will slowly go away but I have been feeling so low about it all. There is nothing I can do to change what has happened but how do I get out of the self pity pit.

Araxdamas_Burres I hate myself. Hours spent diarying
  • replies: 7

I am devastated that I can't stop journaling. I am having serious bouts of sadness and panic attacks. When I started to journal, I didn't know it would develop into huge sprees of writing down my thoughts. Menial everyday things are written down like... View more

I am devastated that I can't stop journaling. I am having serious bouts of sadness and panic attacks. When I started to journal, I didn't know it would develop into huge sprees of writing down my thoughts. Menial everyday things are written down like This is what i ate for lunch today I cant multitask My parents told me about a friend that did x and even more menial thoughts than that. It is such an embarrassing and colossal effect on me. For a sense of scale, I currently have 3902 messages in a private discord server for journaling - just the discord server, not my notes nor my physical diary. I'd estimate that's well over 100000+ words. All in the course of a week or so. I won't tire from this. I'm almost crying for one of the first times I can remember, from the burden this has on my life. I write notes all night long as they pop into my head. ( I've actually pulled all-nighters doing this. Sometimes I literally type every single note as I think of them like I am mentally connected to dairy. I know what's causing it, probably. Its the fear that I lose part of myself by not treating it. I don't know where this fear came from, but I don't want to spend a lot time figuring it out. I need a quick solution to this debilitating severe form of memory hoarding. I've written down every logical reason why this is completely batshit insane and I still cant stop it. I hate how this is destroying my life. My parents don't get it. They're great but wouldn't understand these types of things. I thought I was going to post a logical coherent and emotional response but I absolutely cant. Please it would do so much if you could console me or offer some really smart advice. thanks a lot I hate that i have to give you such a poorly edited post.

Aussie.Girl Anxious about extra work
  • replies: 5

I'm deliberately keeping this vague in order to remain anonymous, but will try to include relevant information. I work on a casual basis in an job which cannot be done remotely. My work weeks typically vary between 2-5 days and average around 3. Duri... View more

I'm deliberately keeping this vague in order to remain anonymous, but will try to include relevant information. I work on a casual basis in an job which cannot be done remotely. My work weeks typically vary between 2-5 days and average around 3. During the last few months of 2021 I was working extra hours/days (5 days every week). I coped better than I thought, but still felt as though I had no time/energy outside of work to do anything else. My motivation at the time was that I would get a week off over Christmas/New Years. My boss asked me to keep doing 5 days a week indefinitely late 2021, & because I felt as though I didn't have a legitimate reason to say no, I agreed. The reason I have been working extra hours is because two of the staff (small team so this is nearly half the employees) are on maternity leave. In a month or so my boss will be on leave for 6-8 weeks too. In all honesty I am kind of dreading going back to work, as it's mentally & physically hard work and 5 days a week is a lot of pressure for me. Especially with the extra responsibilities I will have this year, once I commence my training. I am fortunate enough to actually like my job and the people I work with, but that doesn't mean that it doesn't make me exhausted and stressed being there what seems like 'every day'. Is it normal to be exhausted on weekends? I don't have any medical conditions that I'm aware of which would impact my energy levels. I'm only in early 20s, I should be able to handle working full-time hours, shouldn't I? Is it stress that's making me feel so tired all the time? I have a lot going on in my personal life currently too, which obviously isn't helping. It's not things I feel comfortable discussing here or with my boss. I don't know what to do. My boss is relying on me to do 5 days (which I agreed to) as there is currently no other staff available to fill my position. I don't know if I can do 5 day weeks long term though, and I don't know if it's better to mention this sooner or later. I still want to work there, and complete the extra training I was going to start this year. I would just prefer to do 3 or 4 days weekly and maybe 5 here and there. Sorry for the long post. Any advice is appreciated. Should I try and talk to my boss about the possibility of doing less days in future? If so, is it better to ask now or later? Or is it better to try and stick it out and see how I go with 5 days a week and then discuss later if it's not working?

Horse_ Venting
  • replies: 5

Hello. I’ve been dealing with mental health issues since I was a child. Since 2018 I thought I was finally free of the most life destroying issues until this year where everything has gone downhill. The psychologist I saw for most of this year thinks... View more

Hello. I’ve been dealing with mental health issues since I was a child. Since 2018 I thought I was finally free of the most life destroying issues until this year where everything has gone downhill. The psychologist I saw for most of this year thinks I have PTSD but I also have been having big problems with dissociation. I am going to see a psychiatrist at some point but, you know, waitlists. When I’m not at work pretty much all I do is lie in my bed. I go for short walks around the block to smoke, which makes my GP happy (aside from the smoking) because he thinks I’m depressed and the exercise will make “the nice brain chemicals” but I can’t be bothered to explain to him that 95% of the time the walks are exhausting and distressing because he won’t understand. I am exhausted all the time and these last few months I’ve been finding it increasingly difficult to be around any people at all including my co-workers. I’m desperately clinging to my job because it’s the only thing I have, without my job it’s all over. I feel I’m on the edge of my life completely coming apart. All the healthy coping mechanisms I’ve ever developed have been 0% effective this year. Mental illness has stolen so much of my life.