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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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AnxiousFriend Feeling crushed under the anxiety of large life decisions and alone in my experience. How can I cope and does anyone else struggle with this?
  • replies: 8

I've always had anxiety and I typically manage it fine through speaking to my counsellor when I need to. The past few years though I've noticed my anxiety become totally immense and all consuming when it comes time to make a large life decision. Rece... View more

I've always had anxiety and I typically manage it fine through speaking to my counsellor when I need to. The past few years though I've noticed my anxiety become totally immense and all consuming when it comes time to make a large life decision. Recently I was looking to buy a house with my partner. The house itself was fine but I wasn't in the best headspace leading up to the decision and so my partner was the one doing most of the heavy lifting. We had a few days to finalise our decision and I basically had a mental breakdown. I made myself sick, with constant fear and panic and inability to see light from dark. I had to say no to the house on the grounds of needing to get healthy again before I could make such an important decision. Since saying no I've been speaking to my counsellor regularly, and I've also started on Lexapro about 2 weeks ago, but my anxiety hasn't eased. It's become even more all consuming. I'm in a constant state of panic about my job (wondering if I'm not doing well enough), my relationship (wondering if I'm not meant to be with my partner), regret (about not buying a great property), or worrying that my experiences partying and using recreational drugs have ruined my brain and I'll never be normal again. The biggest one is the partner decision, it's hit my like a truck out of nowhere following the decision on whether to buy a house and I'm being snowed under by it. I'm putting off my work, I can't focus and I just want to feel normal again. I'll talk to my therapist only to feel terrible again the next morning. I desperately want my medication to start working but I'm also scared the emotional blunting will push me away from my partner who I really do love. My anxiety is the only emotion I've felt for about a month. I try to think rationally about my relationship but my anxiety is always the loudest voice in the room. I struggle to feel happiness or sadness or anything else. I'm considering seeing a clinical psychologist, and have been considering going into an inpatient program because right now I'm just not functioning. I guess I just wanted to understand if anyone else struggles like this? I asked my therapist if the extent of my anxiety is normal and he said for most patients no, but it is for some. I'm just a bit scared I'll never be able to make big decisions, and will sabotage things like my relationship and career.

Keeeks84 Corner of Struggle Street & Alone Avenue
  • replies: 7

Hi All, I'm new here. I ended up here after I google searched why my tongue was dry and apparently it's from anxiety - which makes sense because these days, my anxiety is through the roof. I live in Sydney and in one of the LGA's in lockdown. I am no... View more

Hi All, I'm new here. I ended up here after I google searched why my tongue was dry and apparently it's from anxiety - which makes sense because these days, my anxiety is through the roof. I live in Sydney and in one of the LGA's in lockdown. I am not allowed out of my LGA and I don't know anyone that lives within a 5km radius to join the singles bubble. All of my friends and family are in the other LGA's that are locked down. I live alone and I am so thankful that I still have a job and can work from home. I know alot of people are unable to which I couldn't imagine how hard that would be. On the weekend I had major anxiety. I've always struggled with it but last weekend was just ridiculous. I am struggling with not knowing how long we are going to be in this for. I understand the need for a lockdown, however, it doesn't seem to be improving anything. Not being able to see my family and friends really sucks. Before the complete lockdown, I was able to go to the office a few days a week which was great, because I had people there to talk to. I work for a great company and everyone that works there is like family. So not seeing them every day is hard. Obviously we talk on the phone but it's not the same. I worry every day that I have the stupid disease. Even though I've hardly left the house. The last time I went somewhere was last week when I had my first Pfizer vaccine. Since then I've had a negative test. I've stopped watching the 11am updates because it's too depressing and I've stopped going on facebook every 5 seconds. But even without that, you still can't avoid it. It's when the ads come on and they tell you how dangerous it is and that you should get vaccinated. There's no escape. My work has some agreement with councellors so I started with them. I need control over this. I've also emailed the Premier (lol) and NSW Health asking if I am able to move in with my Dad and sister for the duration of the lockdown due to my mental health. Just waiting on their response as I don't want to do it and then get in trouble. I'm a sucker for rules and I don't like to break them. I'm also grieving the loss of my Aunty who passed in May. I feel like i haven't had the chance to feel it. I spent a long time looking after her in her final months. It's hard to grieve when you can't see your family because you feel so alone. So that's me in a nutshell. I hope you're all keeping safe and soldiering on.

alayl What am I supposed to do?
  • replies: 2

I'm 23 and I haven't worked a day in my life. I have a lot of anxiety regarding job search and can never convince myself to actually apply for jobs even though its required through centrelink, and even if I did I am no way ready for a job interview. ... View more

I'm 23 and I haven't worked a day in my life. I have a lot of anxiety regarding job search and can never convince myself to actually apply for jobs even though its required through centrelink, and even if I did I am no way ready for a job interview. I don't feel capable and I don't feel good enough. Recently my job providers have decided i'm too difficult to work with and are less inclined to help me, which is how it went with my previous provider as well. So I feel stuck, have been for years. I've done some voluntary work, which was basically putting me on register and call anybody else to deal with the problems I faced. I don't feel like it taught me anything about how to work independently. I have no desire to work in any specific industry, I have no passion or anything. I spoke to my gp who decided I was neither anxious nor depressed despite being formally diagnosed with social anxiety. I have spoken to psychologists previously, several actually, I told them what I wanted out of my sessions and I ended up having anxiety explained to me, like i haven't seen several psychologists before who'd given me the same explanation. I know how it works and why it does what it does but that doesn't change that i'm still very much anxious. I don't have skills or anything desirable. I bailed out of TAFE because my anxiety and I suck at studying in general. I have absolutely nothing to offer. I don't even have a personality yet I still need to find work.

Bell87 Health anxiety running my life
  • replies: 23

Hi all, I haven’t posted in a long time but I’m really struggling with my health anxiety. So I recently got my jab and because I read up on the side effects eg myocarditis I’m completely freaking out that I’m going to get it. I got the needle yesterd... View more

Hi all, I haven’t posted in a long time but I’m really struggling with my health anxiety. So I recently got my jab and because I read up on the side effects eg myocarditis I’m completely freaking out that I’m going to get it. I got the needle yesterday and was anxious then I started thinking I have it as my chest felt funny. I went to sleep fine and thought if I do have it, it would stay and I would feel it all the time. I did read the stats and it is rare. Why do I do this to myself? I currently don’t see anyone or take any medication. I don’t like seeking help as I feel stupid when I go because I can’t control my emotions and just cry all the time. I just can’t bring myself to go and get the help I know I need.

Always_Anxious_ Health Anxiety & COVID Vaccine
  • replies: 12

Hello all, I am wondering if anyone is experiencing anything similar. I have always had severe health anxiety after one of my friend's passed away from bowel cancer. I can't shake the feeling that it could happen to me too. However, after receiving t... View more

Hello all, I am wondering if anyone is experiencing anything similar. I have always had severe health anxiety after one of my friend's passed away from bowel cancer. I can't shake the feeling that it could happen to me too. However, after receiving the AstraZeneca COVID vaccine (prior to it being put on hold) every twang or twitch I feel in my body I attribute to being a CSVT clot from the vaccine. I have been speaking to a psychologist about this, however, my anxiety has been getting worse and I am experiencing more physical symptoms of anxiety - the vicious cycle that it is. Does anyone have any coping strategies for a situation like this? Thanks in advance.

Moonchild 11:11 Anxiety without obvious triggers
  • replies: 6

I have recently started having some severe anxiety and panic attacks. The initial trigger for me was getting the vaccine.. I didn’t get sick physically however mentally It took its toll which came with a host of physical symptoms predominately palpit... View more

I have recently started having some severe anxiety and panic attacks. The initial trigger for me was getting the vaccine.. I didn’t get sick physically however mentally It took its toll which came with a host of physical symptoms predominately palpitations and chest pains, rib pains, muscle twitches and shooting pains etc. I have felt pretty good the last couple of days after panic attacks for a wk straight… I went a solid 3 days without palpitations, or overly noticeable pains. however the physical symptoms have returned last night… and I’m genuinely clueless as to why the relapse. I didn’t feel anxious at the time when the chest pains started. I practiced my tools, breath work etc and tried to go to sleep. No dice. There it was, that oh so noticeable heartbeat… I tried my best to get through it but ended up having to get up and take medication and wait for an hr before I was able to sleep. I am still learning a lot about anxiety but this is the part I don’t understand. I can correlate the physical symptoms when actually anxious or stressed but when it comes on for no apparent reason I’m stumped. I sat and cried last night because I felt so defeated. I’d been doing so well and was starting to feel normal and now I’m right back to where I started. I woke up this morning, palpitations as soon as I got up rather than sitting and dwelling I thought I would reach out to my fellow sufferers for some clarity. Is anyone able to explain this part to me? Why the anxiety without obvious triggers can occur? I would be most grateful for any info at this point. xx

Emilyll OCD & Hypochondria
  • replies: 12

Hi everyone, I have not been diagnosed with OCD or hypochondria but I feel like I do…(yet to see a therapist for this) For years, I’ve had 24/7 thoughts about my health and the health of loved ones. Especially the fear of my loved ones dying or being... View more

Hi everyone, I have not been diagnosed with OCD or hypochondria but I feel like I do…(yet to see a therapist for this) For years, I’ve had 24/7 thoughts about my health and the health of loved ones. Especially the fear of my loved ones dying or being diagnosed with a long term health condition. If I don’t do something I constantly ask myself “what if?”… what if I become sick because I didn’t check the cutlery? What if I lose my partner because I didn’t tell him to drive safely? What if I get sick because I washed my hands and then contaminated them again from touching something afterwards? There are so many other examples that I experience every day but my health (especially thinking that I have viruses and diseases in me) is the worst thing I have to deal with mentally and physically every day. I constantly monitor my heart rate and always google my symptoms once I feel “ill” I’m always upset because it is mentally exhausting having to worry about myself and my loved ones like this but I fear that if I stop worrying, everything horrible will happen my brain never switches off and I don’t know where to start or what to tackle first… advice would be greatly appreciated 🧡

hawk127 depressed and anxious but don't feel like I can tell anyone about it
  • replies: 3

I've felt like I've been on and off depressed and had social anxiety and just generalized anxiety (have been diagnosed and took antidepressants for a year) but it never really goes away. I can't really figure out what my problem is. I'm 22 and I thin... View more

I've felt like I've been on and off depressed and had social anxiety and just generalized anxiety (have been diagnosed and took antidepressants for a year) but it never really goes away. I can't really figure out what my problem is. I'm 22 and I think I felt like this since I was 15. I feel like there are so many reasons I could feel like this but whenever I try to talk to people about it I just feel guilty. Even when I spoke to a psychologist after one session they just said I was fine and didn't think I needed help after that. I feel like whenever I do want to talk about my feelings my family doesn't care and my friends or family both don't take it seriously, not even a psych. I don't know what I'm supposed to do. I always feel embarrassed about my emotions and afraid I will be invalidated when I have emotions that make other people uncomfortable. I even feel scared writing this post that I will be invalidated for writing this. I think this has a lot to do with my mother who used to basically invalidate everything I used to say, but my mother passed away 2 years ago and it's hard to talk to anyone about the issues we had since she's gone. It feels wrong about every discussing bad things that happened between us when I am supposed to be feeling upset that she is gone, instead of being selfish and still being upset about arguments/fallouts we had, etc, although I am obviously also upset she is gone. It has really affected me a lot. I also am just really bad at making friends in general, my family always teases me that I am socially inept and it feels like it is true. I never really had many friends in school and it feels like I don't have many now, except my boyfriend and one other friend I have had for a long time who I trust. The fact that I am kind of lonely has been really starting to bother me lately and I don't know what to do about it, I feel like I just don't connect to many people. I feel like if I had more of a support network I could deal with some of my issues and I would feel happier more but I just suck at that. I've tried starting new hobbies to meet people, but as I said I have difficulty connecting to people and it just doesn't really work. It feels like I have never quite fit in with a group of people properly.

Anne_Xiety Doc said to skip tetanus booster and now I’m freaking out
  • replies: 3

Hi, Bit of a weird one but I’ll try to keep it brief. I received a cat bite at the weekend, which hasn’t become inflamed or infected. I went to my doctor and he said that it was fine and doesn’t need antibiotics. I was concerned about tetanus and tol... View more

Hi, Bit of a weird one but I’ll try to keep it brief. I received a cat bite at the weekend, which hasn’t become inflamed or infected. I went to my doctor and he said that it was fine and doesn’t need antibiotics. I was concerned about tetanus and told him I have my second Pfizer booked for the end of the week. He said since they don’t like you having two vaccines within a week, to skip the tetanus and get the Pfizer instead (then get a booster in a couple of weeks just to be safe). I trust my doctor but my health anxiety has spiked because of this. I feel like I’m being hyper vigilant to the point of imagining symptoms like jaw pain and stiffness (I can still open my mouth as normal, I don’t have a fever, no muscle aches or other associated symptoms). I’ve read several studies that say most tetanus boosters are unnecessary and that the WHO doesn’t recommend them. Many countries like the U.K. don’t issue them either provided you’ve had the full course as a child (I have). I don’t think I’ve had a booster since though. The doctor didn’t seem worried about it. I’m just wondering if anyone else can share any similar experiences or words of comfort. I have encountered “imagined” symptoms before (like chest pain) that seems to get worse the more you focus on it. Is this normal? Any tips for controlling it? I find when I am distracted things aren’t so bad, but I find it’s very easy go back into “check up” mode without realising. I honestly wish I could just go to sleep for 2 weeks and wake up vaccinated against both with no worries. Thanks for reading