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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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Glenncoco88 Conflicted information
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone im new here and I just thought I would ask a question. Over the last 2 weeks my anxiety has come back and I’ve started taking medication. Over the last few nights I’ve been suffering panic attacks only at night so my dr another medication... View more

Hi everyone im new here and I just thought I would ask a question. Over the last 2 weeks my anxiety has come back and I’ve started taking medication. Over the last few nights I’ve been suffering panic attacks only at night so my dr another medication to help sleep. Said it should be ok to take with the other. The chemist said not to take both of them because they can interact and make things worse. So im just wondering is anyone in the same boat as me? What should I do?

Budgiebird Anxiety and feeling breathless
  • replies: 6

Does anyone else feel breathless with anxiety. I always feel like I can’t get enough air. I have several chronic illnesses and have regular medical checks but no medical reason for the breathless feeling other than anxiety. It’s quite distressing at ... View more

Does anyone else feel breathless with anxiety. I always feel like I can’t get enough air. I have several chronic illnesses and have regular medical checks but no medical reason for the breathless feeling other than anxiety. It’s quite distressing at times.

contrarymary why do i always think I am going to have a heart attack
  • replies: 23

I am 60 years and always think I am going to have a heart attack. I do not have any problems with my heart had plenty tests - GP says the chest pains I keep having are anxiety/stress of course as soom as i have a pain in chest i panic which of course... View more

I am 60 years and always think I am going to have a heart attack. I do not have any problems with my heart had plenty tests - GP says the chest pains I keep having are anxiety/stress of course as soom as i have a pain in chest i panic which of course doesnt help. GP says learn to accept nothing wrong with heart - easier said than done. I can get a pain in morning after some stress and during the course of day gets worse end up at doctors he does ecg nothing shows i then feel better for a while. Any advice re this anxiety

M3758 I keep messing up at work and I constantly self sabotage
  • replies: 15

Hey there I've recently made a pretty big mistake at work by not submitting a report I knew was supposed to, I avoided it and hoped it would work out and now the consequences of that have effected a client receiving what they need. I have been making... View more

Hey there I've recently made a pretty big mistake at work by not submitting a report I knew was supposed to, I avoided it and hoped it would work out and now the consequences of that have effected a client receiving what they need. I have been making little mistakes constantly but at the time i make them, I don't feel bad, it's only after that I feel guilty. My manager has already put things in place to support me but I just don't think I'm cut out for the role. I'm super embarrassed about how bad I've let it become by not doing what I am supposed and I'm extremely anxious to discuss it with my boss Monday. The big mistake can be corrected and I would like to fix it but I feel like I will be fired. I am looking for other jobs and I guess I'm looking for tips to come to terms with that I've stuffed up.

Von is lost Lockdown and missing out on life
  • replies: 4

I’m feeling very depressed about lockdown. I feel like I’m running out of time to meet someone to date, and just do the things that young people should be doing! I’m 26 now and starting to feel like I’m running out of time to do it work towards every... View more

I’m feeling very depressed about lockdown. I feel like I’m running out of time to meet someone to date, and just do the things that young people should be doing! I’m 26 now and starting to feel like I’m running out of time to do it work towards everything I want. Also lockdown has stopped a potential relationship from growing and that has made me really sad, especially with no end in sight

s_lydia Health Anxiety
  • replies: 3

Hey, well I never thought I'd see the day I'd ever share this but for years I've been dealing with anxiety and panic attack disorder, but lately it's turned into bad health anxiety or hypochondria. The slightest ache or pain will have me spiralling f... View more

Hey, well I never thought I'd see the day I'd ever share this but for years I've been dealing with anxiety and panic attack disorder, but lately it's turned into bad health anxiety or hypochondria. The slightest ache or pain will have me spiralling for hours, sometimes even going to the ER. I'm on medication (valium) but even that doesn't calm me down anymore, I feel like there's no winning. It's 4 am and I'm still up because I have a sore tooth and I'm now convinced my teeth are going to fall out, so I stopped eating. Being in lockdown has made my anxiety issues a million times worse, and I can't even have a friend or family member comfort me. I don't know what to do.

TheJackalRipper Stressed out from work and I want switch career
  • replies: 6

Hey guys, I'm currently working as a graduate accounts payable officer at an ASX-listed company where my main responsibilities involved processing hundreds of invoices and processing payments for the company's operating expenses. I was easily overwhe... View more

Hey guys, I'm currently working as a graduate accounts payable officer at an ASX-listed company where my main responsibilities involved processing hundreds of invoices and processing payments for the company's operating expenses. I was easily overwhelmed by the workload and I feel like I can't completed it within the deadline. I became so stressed out to the point where I just don't care if got laid off due to poor performance. Also, I'm starting to dislike my work not only because my role is too stressful but I hated working in the office job even though I was working from home due to the pandemic. However, there were some aspect of the job that I found rewarding which was the sense of achievement but I kind of dismiss that. I was thinking about switching career but I don't know which one that is suitable and interesting for me. I am struggling to find purpose in my life. I also have an accounting degree because I thought that I enjoy working in the office but after experiencing that, I am not keen to work in the office. I prefer a career that involved traveling around but with the pandemic going on, I think it was best just to wait it out. Thank you for reading my post and I appreciate any advice that you give me.

The_Bro A BOSS WHO IS A BULLY AND DEMEANING
  • replies: 4

Hi everyone When the Queensland premier was in Tokyo to present for the 2032 Olympics recently, some of you may have seen the footage of John Coates 'ordering' the Premier to attend the opening ceremony. His words and demeanor were widely criticised ... View more

Hi everyone When the Queensland premier was in Tokyo to present for the 2032 Olympics recently, some of you may have seen the footage of John Coates 'ordering' the Premier to attend the opening ceremony. His words and demeanor were widely criticised as bullying by the media. Your could see on her face the anxiety it caused the Premier. I thought I would share a passage of my life where I had a boss who caused me a good deal of anxiety for several months. My job involved regular presentations to prospects and clients where solutions to their business issues were tabled. I was going pretty well with a good success rate. The company was run by a person who was creative, energetic and persuasive - but who displayed little empathy to staff. Twice in a row in meetings I was running, he completely overran my recommendations, presented his own concepts without warning, and as a result created a confused client. His ideas were fine, but the point is the disregard for my presentation, no warning, and no apologies on his part were brutal. After the second time this happened, the client rang me and asked what was going on. He liked my ideas, also likes my boss's ideas, but wanted to know why he rubbished my work in front of a client. Of course this was already causing me some anxiety, and only added to it, as my work demanded a certain level of confidence that I was finding difficult to maintain. So I thought long and hard, prepared carefully, and went to see my boss. I asked if my work was contributing to the business and received a big 'Yes'. I then said I could contribute more, loved my work, respected his ability, but was not happy about being overruled with no warning in presentations. Then I held my breath as he was a known bully. To my relief he immediately said 'You know what I like - that you are strong and told told me how you feel. I will see if I can moderate a little and also let you know in advance if I want to change your ideas'. BINGO! Yes a weight was lifted, we became much better working partners, my anxiety fell, and my boss even told me my work was good from time to time! To me, the moral is that it is important to have self respect, and for others in turn to respect that. If not, act on it! But take care to prepare first and be very specific with your words reasons for discontent. Has anyone else in the forums experienced anxiety brought on by a boss who is unfair, a bully or demeaned them? Happy to hear how you coped! Regards, The Bro

sabbath18 Driving Anxiety
  • replies: 5

I’m 20, turning 21 next month and I’ve been on my L’s since I was 16. I only have about 10 hours logged, 6 of those are from 2 driving instructor lessons. I haven’t been behind the wheel since 2019. I am a very anxious person in general and the thoug... View more

I’m 20, turning 21 next month and I’ve been on my L’s since I was 16. I only have about 10 hours logged, 6 of those are from 2 driving instructor lessons. I haven’t been behind the wheel since 2019. I am a very anxious person in general and the thought of driving makes me so nervous. Not having my licence is the biggest insecurity of mine, I get so upset and embarrassed whenever anyone brings up the topic of me driving. I need my licence but I can’t push myself to start driving again. I understand I have to overcome my fear of driving by actually driving and getting my hours up but as soon as I get in the car, I feel as if I’m about to have a panic attack, my heart races so fast and my palms start to sweat. I feel as if I’m more of a danger to others on the road. I know my boyfriend is getting sick of driving all the time, I try not to burden him as I’m fine with using public transport or Uber but he insists on driving me, but I can tell he’s over it. I don’t know where to start or what to do about this. Please help.

Thommo1163 Where is all began
  • replies: 2

I have only been on this forum a day and I already feel a sense of relief with the support shown. For those who want to know why I am here I have another thread on it. I thought I would share a bit about how I belief my anxiety started. With my wife ... View more

I have only been on this forum a day and I already feel a sense of relief with the support shown. For those who want to know why I am here I have another thread on it. I thought I would share a bit about how I belief my anxiety started. With my wife deciding that after all these years she was no longer going to accept my anxieties & phobias & with lots of pain along the way I decided I needed to look back over the 58 years of my life to try and pin point moments to see is I could determine how far back my issues have been with me. They have become so a part of me I hadn't really taken notice of them, not that i didn't know I had them, just that they were me. My wife did much the same by allowing me to use them as excuses not to do things. She no longer is willing to allow that hence where I am today. I have managed to trace things back to a single moment in primary school where I was asked to speak in front of the class in show & tell. Being shy at that age I don't think it was anxiety that I took into it, merely shyness at the age of 5. But I wet my pants in front of the class and was ridiculed, laughed at and then embarrassed by the teacher who made me stand there and finish the show & tell. I had forgotten all about this incident until I recently dived back into my past. From that incident i found 2 friends who stuck with me. I believe I was bullied and ridiculed many more times over that period as the kid who wet his pants. The 2 friends became my best friends and from that moment, even though others would be friends, close friendships were never chased. I have lived much of my life with just a couple of close friends. I took the same approach into high school or sporting teams. 1 or 2 friends no more. Those friends tended to be more self confident which allowed me to stay in the background when we did venture into territory I wasnt comfortable with. That way they were the centre of attention I could could hide in the background if I had to. Amazingly still happens. Person i would say I am closest to now is an outgoing larger than life type. So when we go to the club or pub he takes centre stage, people gather around him and I am just to the side or can step into the background, yet still consider myself socialising. My idea of making friends is for them to find me. I may place myself in a scene, but never make the approach, place yourself at the same scene often enough and someone will always end up approaching you.