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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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Amy621 Anxiety
  • replies: 2

Hello i am currently going through a lot of anxiety and I just don’t know why I had an exam today and before the exam I actually called the after hour counselling service twice because I was having troubles with calming my mind and relaxing. I finall... View more

Hello i am currently going through a lot of anxiety and I just don’t know why I had an exam today and before the exam I actually called the after hour counselling service twice because I was having troubles with calming my mind and relaxing. I finally took the decision to defer my exam and thought that just by making that decision i am definitely going to feel better and I slept for a while but again my body is up and I am feeling very very anxious and have no idea what to do I havent had a proper sleep in days, my doctor would be calling me up in like 3 hours as I was lucky to get an appointment however I don’t know what to do with this anxiety for the next three hours. How do I make it go away

Yvaine Turning 25 and feeling unprepared for future
  • replies: 16

Hi all, I've recently turned 25 and just gotten out of a toxic job that really exacerbated by severe anxiety to the point that I'd gone on medication. Now working full time, recently turned 25 and feel like I'm still 18/19 and time is always running ... View more

Hi all, I've recently turned 25 and just gotten out of a toxic job that really exacerbated by severe anxiety to the point that I'd gone on medication. Now working full time, recently turned 25 and feel like I'm still 18/19 and time is always running out on me, like I'm always trying to catch-up on adulting yet feel like I'm no longer young. Get nostalgic and depressed when I think about the "better" times. Can anyone relate/share their journey/experience? Much love to all, Yvaine

reaktion Anxiety is affecting my work life.
  • replies: 2

I had to leave my job of 11 years 2 years ago. I have now found myself in a situation were I start a new job then just don't turn up after a day or 2 because I can't handle the new company, co-workers and new procedures. I can never sleep because I'm... View more

I had to leave my job of 11 years 2 years ago. I have now found myself in a situation were I start a new job then just don't turn up after a day or 2 because I can't handle the new company, co-workers and new procedures. I can never sleep because I'm allways stressing out and worrying about what's going to happen the next day I go in. I feel really bad about what I have been doing to all these employers who have put me on but I just can't help it. I've even been put on medication and medication to help me sleep but doesn't really do anything to help. I've even tried psychologists. I really need to find a way to get pass this, Im not lazy and i want to work but this feeling makes me not want to get out of bed. Has anyone got any suggestions? Thanjs

coastgirl12 coastgirl scared to fail
  • replies: 4

I am scared to quit my job. I feel like an outsider at work. I work hard and find I am not happy. I worry about what others say about me and I never ever used to care. My boss is horrible to me saying nasty things. I am older than her and I think thi... View more

I am scared to quit my job. I feel like an outsider at work. I work hard and find I am not happy. I worry about what others say about me and I never ever used to care. My boss is horrible to me saying nasty things. I am older than her and I think this makes her rude towards me. I feel like I want to quit and dont know what to do. Would you quit if it was the first job you had in two years but you were treated like crap?

Helpstar Have you ever tried a 'Power Pose'?
  • replies: 5

I have suffered with anxiety with public speaking, interviews, large events for a long time until I came across this simple technique called "Power Posing" the phrase coined by Amy Cuddy (she is amazing look her TED talk up). It's simple find a power... View more

I have suffered with anxiety with public speaking, interviews, large events for a long time until I came across this simple technique called "Power Posing" the phrase coined by Amy Cuddy (she is amazing look her TED talk up). It's simple find a power pose that you are comfortable with (search google for many examples) and before any event that may trigger your anxiety complete your power pose for 2-5 minutes. I like to put my hands on my hips and stand up tall in a "Wonder Woman" like stance. It may sound silly but it really worked for me. Sometimes I will just go into the toilets of a quiet place to power pose and could feel my energy shift. I would love to hear if anyone has used this before or if you do decide to give it a go please let me know if it worked for you.

anon143 Coping with others feelings?
  • replies: 4

I’m a little unsure on how to start this so I’ll just jump right in. I recently was on a FaceTime call with my mum, she was with my sister & her family. I don’t talk to my sister & haven’t really for a year due to very similar treatment I’m about to ... View more

I’m a little unsure on how to start this so I’ll just jump right in. I recently was on a FaceTime call with my mum, she was with my sister & her family. I don’t talk to my sister & haven’t really for a year due to very similar treatment I’m about to explain. In my opinion I find she is very condescending & patronising towards myself & my son for unknown reasons. I wanted to share some happiness from my day with my mum & proceeded to tell her the good news over FaceTime, as I was sharing that moment the adults in the same room as my mum began laughing at me, making a few “light hearted comments” & then my mum hung up. As they laughed & talked I went silent & started disassociating. Because I went silent & didn’t respond to them is probably the reason she had hung up. Of course this situation had me up over analysing what happened & it reminded me of exactly why I don’t associate with my sister & her children. It had been a year since we last talked & I honestly just feel it was a good reminder to have. But it also got me thinking about the past, my past. No matter how big or small my failures & victories have been, they have always had the same reaction. They always laugh or make light hearted jokes. Is this just how normal families work? Am I just an over reactive baby? They have always made my feelings & emotions feel invalidated. In the past before my son I would just put up with it but then they started showing similar bs towards my baby & I could no longer hold onto their toxic ways. I don’t really know what to say or do anymore when it comes to them doing that. If I stand up for myself they will become defensive & verbally abusive. If I don’t say anything then they just continue to laugh & make not so nice comments. There is no way to “win” with them. They’re toxic & I am finished with them.

Healthmadhelpp Could I have health anxiety
  • replies: 7

25 YO male I am also very obese. I have never worried about my health or had so many illness untill 2 year ago when I had some dodgy chicken meat and it gave me sickness. I went on to have over a year of consent abdomable pain all over, I convinced m... View more

25 YO male I am also very obese. I have never worried about my health or had so many illness untill 2 year ago when I had some dodgy chicken meat and it gave me sickness. I went on to have over a year of consent abdomable pain all over, I convinced my self I had bowel cancer I started googling and looking at stories and charts working out what my odds are of having it at my age, My aunty was diagnosed with bowel cancer 8 months after all my sypotmies started so that didn't help. Ive had bloods and a colonoscopy done and small bowel MRI which was all clear and normal. Ever since, every week there is something new for me to google and look up, another pain another illness ect. I do suffer from a lot of illness like, Tonsillitis pains in joins, chest pains, nausea, Lower back pain, Upper back pain ect. Every time I get over something something else comes and hits me. This year alone I have spoken to the doctor over 30 times, I have been up A and E 8 times, Urgent care centre 10 times. I get chest pains alot I always have ECG done and its always normal sometimes bloods and they are normal. I sometimes go up waited 6 hours to be seen and I know they cant do anything as it might be on going condition but sometimes I think I do it for reassurance I had headaches for 5 weeks every day and convinced my self I had brain tumour. I seen doctors who said they was sinus as it was more facial pain, But I couldn't accept it. So I went up to the A and E and was that desperate for help I lied about fainting and hitting my head, Knowing they would do some checks like CT and bloods ect. They all came back normal. I was referred for a head MRI which im waiting for results from. I had Virial laryngitis 2 months ago and was looking up throat cancer and lung cancer, looking at statics ect, This is what I always do with every illness I get no matter big or small I google. 1/2 SEE POST BELOW

Markymark313 Recently diagnosed
  • replies: 10

Hey guys this is my first post I recently was diagnosed with GAD which explained a lot,like why I was always tired ,fatigued ,trouble sleeping and avoiding certain situations.The last 2 weeks things got alot worse having big anxiety attacks which has... View more

Hey guys this is my first post I recently was diagnosed with GAD which explained a lot,like why I was always tired ,fatigued ,trouble sleeping and avoiding certain situations.The last 2 weeks things got alot worse having big anxiety attacks which has started impacting my work and social life. I am taking medication at the moment which is a being aid I guess but I am going to a psychologist tomorrow to see what help I can get there but I am unsure why I am getting anxious and having attacks the timing is very random and situation so I was curious if anyone could possibly shed some light on what going to the psychologist is like as that is making me anxious

Ali_A New relationship anxiety, parenthood and fear of not being enough
  • replies: 1

Hello, I am a single parent of a beautiful 11yo. Been on my own now for 10 years this year. Dating, or at least trying anyway, of and on for all this time. Nothing longer than 3 months or so. However I am just in the beginning of a new relationship w... View more

Hello, I am a single parent of a beautiful 11yo. Been on my own now for 10 years this year. Dating, or at least trying anyway, of and on for all this time. Nothing longer than 3 months or so. However I am just in the beginning of a new relationship with this great man for nearly two months now. He has been divorced for about 3 years himself, also with a 11yo. We have already talked exclusivity and we are both on the same page. Yet I find myself having this huge panic/anxiety attacks when I am alone. I fear, to the point that my heart feels like it’s tight in pain, that I will not be enough, that I can not possibly be good enough for this person. My friends are all in long term relationships, marriages and I can only really talk about what’s happening in my dating life from a funny side. I feel like they don’t really understand the anxiety that I feel it’s real. I had an entire 24 hours filled with shear panic and tears and I didn’t think any of my friends could understand what’s happening. My parents are passed away and I don’t have extended family (my child was at her fathers - she is not exposed to this side of me). In those moments I fail to see my self worth. I know I am a capable adult, I have a secure job, I pay my bills, car it’s payed for - mortgage on track and super just the same. I volunteer in my spare time and my child is happy and secure in her life. But the thought of having to share all those sides of me with a new person … and the fact that he is not quite as “in touch” with being in touch as I am scares the living light out of me. I want more, but I am not sure how. I am afraid that I have lost touch with how a relationship starts and evolves. Am I needy? Even though life carries on when we are not together. Or do I need to ask for what for my needs to be met? It is a spiraling thought process that goes on and on to the point that I look in the mirror and tell myself that this is what I deserve. I mean, who would want a anxious woman with such little self esteem? So… this is where I am. Even doing this seems, futile. There are people with much bigger problems and I am staying here writing about being scared of not being liked enough.

Guest_9632 Experienced Male Primary School Teacher new job riddled with anxiety
  • replies: 56

Hello, So this year my family and I made a sea change and moved to a new coastal town with a new job to boot. After working for 15 years in the same school where I was very comfortable, I’m now struggling to cope with the new surrounds and routines o... View more

Hello, So this year my family and I made a sea change and moved to a new coastal town with a new job to boot. After working for 15 years in the same school where I was very comfortable, I’m now struggling to cope with the new surrounds and routines of my new school. I’m now on anti deps, speak with a counselor and booked in for a psych (September was the earliest!) There is no doubt the big change of moving my family into new surrounds is what’s causing this anxiety and I do acknowledge this. I just can’t help over thinking everything I do and am actually fearful of what my colleagues think. I also now work in a open classroom with 2 other classes which is so foreign to me too. I’m use to my own room with 4 walls where I’m in control and can handle the surrounds. That’s all gone now and I’m at odds with dealing with it. At the end of the day I’m trying to get help, speak about it, my current school are supportive and I have even taken time off. But I’m still struggling to deal with the anxiety and over think so many things, especially on a Monday morning. I just don’t feel like my older self all. No doubt changing schools at the end of the year is an option but it feels so far off. I just need tips to revive the pressure and constant anxiety now. Any advice would be invaluable.