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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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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.

G.P Feeling alone and stuck
  • replies: 6

Hello... I guess I'm just here to find a place to put down my thoughts. I'm not sure what it is, but I'm currently living alone in a small granny flat, and have been here for almost a year. For the most part I've been managing well - it's the first t... View more

Hello... I guess I'm just here to find a place to put down my thoughts. I'm not sure what it is, but I'm currently living alone in a small granny flat, and have been here for almost a year. For the most part I've been managing well - it's the first time at my age (31) that I've been able to un trap myself from the mental struggle I had living with my parents. I've become more independent, confident and self aware. Lately though I've been having pangs to go back and live my parents. It seems petty, but I miss the small things - the home cooked meals, not thinking about managing a household (albeit a small one), and just their company. Sometimes I also feel alone, I'm not sure what's heightened this feeling lately. It's also ironic because my boyfriend lives within walking distance from me, and I see him quite often. I think what's worried me is the lease deadline - I'll need to put in my notice 6 weeks beforehand, but can't seem to decide. I've been stuck on this decision for a few weeks, and while there is no rush per se, I'm the type of person who likes to know what's next. I've confided in my friends and family, and they think it's best I stay here for the meantime because of my growth (which because I'm a generally negative Nancy, I don't seem to see). So in my head this indecision has stressed me out and made me feel quite anxious, I've trapped myself. While I see the logic in staying here, I don't know why I can't shake the feeling of still going back. At the same time, I know that the main reason I moved out to begin was because I was feeling mentally stressed living under the same roof as them. I'm not sure what to, and the more I think about it, I become triggered and cry for no reason at all. I feel silly for not being able to decide, is there something wrong with me? Thanks for listening... GP

Baileybasil Have no idea what to do with my life
  • replies: 22

I don’t have any passion or motivation anymore, not even for the things I used to like. Bad things happened during highschool and that caused me to drop out before completing year 10, now years later I’m still depressed but now I have to get my life ... View more

I don’t have any passion or motivation anymore, not even for the things I used to like. Bad things happened during highschool and that caused me to drop out before completing year 10, now years later I’m still depressed but now I have to get my life together, how can I do that when I have too much social anxiety to see my girlfriend or take a phone call? I can’t study anything I want to because they all have a requirement to finish year 12 to enter. And I also have no idea what I want to do and no drive to fix anything either. I think about the future and I only get upset, I don’t want to be forced to work a job I hate until I die or work until I’m old with no savings like my parents. I talk to people these days and I cringe at myself, dissecting what I said and telling myself it was stupid or lame.

Sanja04 Loss of balance
  • replies: 4

Hello all, im a newby here and wanted to share my situation and to see if anybody here can share some tips. Have suffered from anxiety/hipocondria for many years but this time is really hard. I did brain mri and its all fine thank god. My neck c3 and... View more

Hello all, im a newby here and wanted to share my situation and to see if anybody here can share some tips. Have suffered from anxiety/hipocondria for many years but this time is really hard. I did brain mri and its all fine thank god. My neck c3 and c4 have annulus tear, disc protrusion and flattening of the right hemicord with potential root impingmement. Also my c5 c6 and c7 have small disc bulging and protrusions. I also have hypoplasia of the right transverse and sigmoid sinus as well as right maxiallry mucosal changes...so all in all lots going on but my neurologist believes the balance issue is in my head. My gp thinks the same. Im sometimes ok but then sometimes i simply am scared to walk. I have never fallen or anything like that but i always feel like im on the boat. I really dont know what else to do to help my situation. Anybody here that could share some tips pls? Thank you

bumblebee3160 Health Anxiety! - Brain Tumour
  • replies: 3

I think I have health anxiety. I constantly feel like something horrible is wrong with me, the most common horrible thought is that I have a brain tumour. A friend just passed from a brain tumour and ever since he was diagnosed I have lived in consta... View more

I think I have health anxiety. I constantly feel like something horrible is wrong with me, the most common horrible thought is that I have a brain tumour. A friend just passed from a brain tumour and ever since he was diagnosed I have lived in constant fear. Unfortunately I started consulting Dr Google, I can’t stop worrying every little headache is a sign! It’s gotten to the point where I think I’m now having panic attacks, I get heart palpitations, my legs turn to jelly and literally shake uncontrollably, I cry and then I can’t sleep, I start jolting awake when I try to fall asleep. ugh it’s awful! And it’s so draining! I’m sick of feeling like somethings wrong with me all the time! I don’t know what to do or how to stop! Do I really have something wrong with me or am I just paranoid! Has anyone else felt this way? Have you had these horrible thoughts turn out to be true? Any tips and advise would be greatly appreciated! I just want my life back.

Panicked_Kylie New Girl
  • replies: 8

Hey, I'm new here. It's 1am, and I've been experiencing panic attacks for the last month. Tonight is particularly bad. I'm terrified, physically uncomfortable, extremely tired... its been going on all night. I feel helpless and alone. I live by mysel... View more

Hey, I'm new here. It's 1am, and I've been experiencing panic attacks for the last month. Tonight is particularly bad. I'm terrified, physically uncomfortable, extremely tired... its been going on all night. I feel helpless and alone. I live by myself, and my greatest fear is having a heart attack alone in my home- that fear is amplified 100x during a panic attack which seems to never end. I went to the hospital two weeks ago and had an ECG. Doctor assured me my heart was find. I'd like to believe him, but I don't. I think I'm a hypochondriac, which makes me too embarrassed and ashamed to seek further help. I started on escitalopram two weeks ago, but it hasn't helped. I'll be making an appointment at the doc ASAP to find out what more I can do. I don't know what I'm supposed to do. I don't know how to help myself. These symptoms feel all physical, not psychological or emotional, so I feel helpless and unable to control it. I wake up from a deep sleep having a panic attack... I'm at my witts end. I joined a Facebook group for anxiety and panic sufferers, but there are so many people there, my posts get lost amongst the masses, and I tend to write entire novels... that might bore people...

Leonay How to stop the backward slide
  • replies: 6

Twelve months ago I hit crisis point with work and family and attempted suicide. I spent time in hospital followed by ongoing support from a psychologist. Everything has been improving except my work where I feel intimidated by my boss, I have no sup... View more

Twelve months ago I hit crisis point with work and family and attempted suicide. I spent time in hospital followed by ongoing support from a psychologist. Everything has been improving except my work where I feel intimidated by my boss, I have no support or understanding and I am now almost back where I started from twelve months ago. It has been a very noticeable slide over the last six months in particular. I vomit each day before work, I get so anxious I get chest pains when I see her let alone talk to her. I am working really hard with my psychologist to put strategies in place to cope but I am wondering how everyone else copes when they feel themselves sliding back down that path again. According to my psychologist I am actually showing considerably more anxiety and depression than when I attempted suicide last year but I haven't done anything. I have to admit I have had thoughts but the strategies I have developed have helped to stop myself from carrying anything out. I know that I should be doing things that make me feel good like my art but to be honest I am so exhausted each day by the time I get home I don't have the energy anymore. I just feel like such a failure because I am letting my boss bully me, I'm too scared to speak up and my mental health has taken a really big hit. If anyone has any suggestions I would love to here how you are helping yourself. I love teaching (I teach primary school) but my boss has me in such a spin. I live in a small regional area so if I speak up it could hinder my chances of other jobs. Please if you have any thoughts I would be every so appreciative. I hate feeling like this and I need a kick to help me to get myself out of this rut. Thanks and take care