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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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jack0194 fear of driving Or Social Anxiety?
  • replies: 13

I'm not too sure exactly what's going on, to be honest. All I know is that sometimes I get random bouts of Anxiety either over nothing or over something really small that may have happened. Originally I used to have a more general fear of driving alt... View more

I'm not too sure exactly what's going on, to be honest. All I know is that sometimes I get random bouts of Anxiety either over nothing or over something really small that may have happened. Originally I used to have a more general fear of driving altogether. I used to think I would most likely slam my foot on the accelerator and cause an accident. But these days I find driving like riding a bike. Unless... I'm driving somewhere I've never been, I have to go in very heavy traffic or a very long distance (On a highway) Basically, since I've had my licence I've: Never been on a highway and hardly driven in very heavy traffic To be honest, the idea of driving on a high doesn't worry me that much, I feel like it's one of those things where once you have done it, it will be pretty easy to do. I worry more about driving all the way to the city for work and not getting a park. So basically what I'm getting at Is this more a social anxiety thing? Or fear of driving?

BabySteps Male Irritation
  • replies: 1

I get this Insecurity to look at Google Images of Justin Bieber or Harry Styles, or Alpha Male High School Kid's for 8 Years Ago. I could get Bullied by my Dad's Friend, If He wanted to Say something to me, I get Toxically Labeled as Shy for wanting ... View more

I get this Insecurity to look at Google Images of Justin Bieber or Harry Styles, or Alpha Male High School Kid's for 8 Years Ago. I could get Bullied by my Dad's Friend, If He wanted to Say something to me, I get Toxically Labeled as Shy for wanting to Reserve from Socially defending myself to Risk Emasculation or Oppression or Violence, If even You always feel In Comparison beneath your Generation and the Baby Boomber Or needing to defend yourself, as not being Homosexual because your a Celibate Incel Virgin

Catie_Rose Anxiety all day and not eating
  • replies: 14

Hi everyone I’m at the end of my rope. I have suffered anxiety and health anxiety for over 20 years but the last 6 months has been terrible I’ve lost 8kg in 6 weeks and don’t want to eat I’m just at a loss I don’t have panic attacks I just feel rotte... View more

Hi everyone I’m at the end of my rope. I have suffered anxiety and health anxiety for over 20 years but the last 6 months has been terrible I’ve lost 8kg in 6 weeks and don’t want to eat I’m just at a loss I don’t have panic attacks I just feel rotten all day like vague and yuck it’s so hard to explain I just want to be well

PsychedelicFur What about if my life stays this lonely FOREVER?
  • replies: 4

Hey there, I’m dealing.. with so much loneliness at the moment. Recently, a little over a month ago I was diagnosed, by my psychologist, with High functioning autism and BDD (Body Dysmorphic Disorder) which in a way was very much a relief. Because no... View more

Hey there, I’m dealing.. with so much loneliness at the moment. Recently, a little over a month ago I was diagnosed, by my psychologist, with High functioning autism and BDD (Body Dysmorphic Disorder) which in a way was very much a relief. Because now I can pinpoint what is ‘wrong’ with me in a way. And I can understand that my thoughts about my body are sometimes distorted and very intrusive due to the BDD. However, I’m writing this thread to say that I’m so lonely and will it be like this FOREVER? I’m in a course with people who really don’t get me. I feel alienated, isolated and so so so a lone. These people don’t seem to understand me because I’m perceived as different and they seem to avoid me because of it. It really sucks because I have never had a ‘best friend’ unless it was someone who wanted to manipulate, groom or use me in the past. And what about if I never meet my tribe? What about if I am always this lonely? Like I want friends. I want to be able to go out with friends and do normal things like drink, go to gigs etc. I am feeling so overwhelmed with my thoughts.

44Max44 Starting new job, very anxious
  • replies: 3

So I go in for my first shift at my new job today and I'm really anxious about it. It's not my first time working at a job, by at my other jobs I had friends working there that could show me the ropes so I felt a lot less anxious. Without going into ... View more

So I go in for my first shift at my new job today and I'm really anxious about it. It's not my first time working at a job, by at my other jobs I had friends working there that could show me the ropes so I felt a lot less anxious. Without going into too much detail, I applied for a job where I thought would involve me being at the store after hours and not having to interact with customers, but after getting to the interview and being offered the job I was told that I'd actually have to be in the store during working hours when customers are there. I don't have to directly interact with them but there is a possibility that one comes up to me and asks a question. The one thing I'm thankful for is that I get to wear whatever clothes I like to the job so to everyone else in the store I'd just look like a regular customer and not an employee which should cut down the interactions a lot. I'm anxious because I'm very introverted and don't like interacting with people and I'm worried I'll mess something up in the job or maybe get a complaint because of lack of communication skills or something. I don't know. Does anyone have any tips for starting at new workplaces? Any advice is appreciated. Thank you

elle64 struggling to recognise an unhealthy body perception
  • replies: 4

hi, this is my second forum here. i am writing to express my problem in recognising how badly my thinking towards my body and my eating habits has developed. my friend has been telling me everything i am doing is unhealthy, and up until now i've thou... View more

hi, this is my second forum here. i am writing to express my problem in recognising how badly my thinking towards my body and my eating habits has developed. my friend has been telling me everything i am doing is unhealthy, and up until now i've thought of my obsessive strategies related to food merely being based off a diet. now i can't lie and say i'm not aware of this growing infatuation with feeling skinny and achieving the standard and conventional appearance that i deem normal. i realise that my actions towards improving my body are suspicious and my friends have certainly not been turning a blind eye towards it. i think the scariest thing is that i know if a teacher at my school heard the way i talk about myself and the constant conversations revolving around calories and exercise that i think sound colloquial, they would immediately spot a red flag and would suggest the risk of developing something dangerous. at the end of the day, i am ultimately struggling to recognise the danger of what i am doing, yet i know if i was to talk this casually about it in a schooling or homely environment, it would draw drastic concern.

Autumn77 Self help books
  • replies: 5

Hi all, I've been off this sight for awhile and proud to say I've been doing really well. Reduced and discontinued most medications and been able to be strong enough to deal (?) with my anxiety...overthinking...worrying mind. Its been a year now, and... View more

Hi all, I've been off this sight for awhile and proud to say I've been doing really well. Reduced and discontinued most medications and been able to be strong enough to deal (?) with my anxiety...overthinking...worrying mind. Its been a year now, and so far this is what has happened. I've started a new relationship about 6 months ago...and still trying to feel absolutely comfortable around him. I still find it hard to show my whole self...and be completely open. And, I've just started a new job. So as you can see, I've gone through a few changes in the last 6 months and I would prefer not to return to my medications or the crutch as I like to call it. And I'm really looking for some great recommendations on some reading material. I've always loved self help books and did read them a lot in the past. Thanks for your help guys. Looking forward to your replies. Annie 🥰

TheWookie Pretty sure I have screwed up.
  • replies: 7

Just got back from my psychologist appointment. I have been antsy all week about it, and pretty wound up the last few days, because we were all set to induce the panic attacks using hyperventilation. Breathing is a trigger of mine. And once in a pani... View more

Just got back from my psychologist appointment. I have been antsy all week about it, and pretty wound up the last few days, because we were all set to induce the panic attacks using hyperventilation. Breathing is a trigger of mine. And once in a panic we were using EMDR therapy to work towards ACT (acceptance and commitment therapy). So yeah I am kind of really drained and weirded out at the moment. Anyhow... I have my friend, the only person I have actual contact with, who is also my carer. We were introduced through a st vinnies program called Compère about 8 years ago. He is pretty much my only friend and support person. I have been seeing this psychologist for about 18 months now, and have had my friend in the session with me. As I have pretty chronic anxiety and agoraphobia he drives me to the sessions. I also have lived in his backyard in a converted pool house flat for 4 years just about. He is about the only person, family included, who has been there and been help to me over the time we have known each other. He has personal knowledge of depression and has had a panic on a plane previously so knows the depth of that fright. And I included him in the sessions as it is him who would take me to shops or appointments etc, out in public. So he could talk to my psych about support methods and such. He also has chronic pain and other health issues, and has not been in a good place himself for a long time now. I understand that, and have tried to not trouble him as ,ich with my own garbage. So. The point of this post. I have gotten a lot better at coping with the thoughts and sensations I get which would once have triggered a full panic. I know a lot of what comes out of me, thoughts and comments, are negative. I have a bad habit of setting myself up to fail. Like if we went for a walk around the block I would usually have an anxiety attack most of the way and I would try and prepare for that, but that came across as setting myself up for failure. I feel like I have failed if I am not able to do something without an attack. And the majority of what I say, I can’t breathe, I am going to die, am I breathing okay, my pulse is wrong etc etc is all repetitive. Regardless of whether I had done the same walk the day before, I will still come out with the same questions and comments etc. I know for a fact that is frustrating. And must be highly frustrating to hear the same thing again and again. Today, while in a panic, i barked back at him. I screwed up.

Michelle34 OCD and food
  • replies: 1

I have OCD around food. My problem is I can’t handle my husband cooking (we take turns) some thing he makes I can eat but he is the exact opposite of me. He eats expired food, handle raw meat and then rinses his hand (no soap) and I literally just ca... View more

I have OCD around food. My problem is I can’t handle my husband cooking (we take turns) some thing he makes I can eat but he is the exact opposite of me. He eats expired food, handle raw meat and then rinses his hand (no soap) and I literally just can’t put his food to my mouth. Which means because we have a limited food budget I’m basically starving every second week. He gets annoyed with me asking him questions about the meals, how he cooks them and intentionally cooks stuff I won’t eat because he says I’m being ridiculous. Get it, but I can’t change that right now. Is there any information I can give him regarding OCD and food so he will wash his hands properly?

Gerryboy90 How I handled most of my anxiety symptoms and only heart palpitations left to go.
  • replies: 7

Hello, some months back I posted how I didn’t want my anxiety to get worse because I was having symptoms like chest pain, headaches, blurry visions, back pains etc. And how I’ve had an ECG and heart Blood Test done and all came back fine. Well, I sta... View more

Hello, some months back I posted how I didn’t want my anxiety to get worse because I was having symptoms like chest pain, headaches, blurry visions, back pains etc. And how I’ve had an ECG and heart Blood Test done and all came back fine. Well, I started by embarking on my a research. I started reading on ways to keep my heart healthy and to relieve my anxiety. Please, before I continue. I don’t really know the particular food or exercise that started to reduce my symptoms. I’d like to think it’s a combination of everything. So during my research, i watched some videos and they mentioned “Dates”, so I started eating it, two per day. I started walking more because I heard walking helps reduce the likelihood of heart attacks and other cardiac events. I walk about 1 hour every day, about 5 to 6km competed every hour. Then I came across some article on the wonders of beetroots and how it helps to relieve blood pressure by relaxing your nerves, I started eating it and then started to eat at least 2 cloves of garlic a day, I read that it relaxes the hearts nerves. I mostly eat them at night. Also, at night, i make sure I eat at least one citrus fruit like orange or mandarin. I drink lemon water every 2nd day. Also, I added an apple, pear, kiwi , and some spinach to my nightly snacks and a cup of green tea. All these I heard are good for the heart. I now have strawberries, blueberries, almond and cashew nuts added to my morning cereal, added Mindfulness to my exercises. And for about 3 weeks now, I haven’t had any of those symptoms except for heart palpitations. I have also increased the number of my sleeping hours from 4 to about 5-6 every night. I used to be scared of sleeping cos I always feel like I’m going to die of a heart attack in my sleep. Also, thanks to the new ECG feature on the Apple Watch, I now check mine at least once a day. I keep track of my heart rates. And all of these helped in reducing my anxiety. Fingers crossed that soon, the heart palpitations would be gone. I hope this helps someone else.