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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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ypla Depersonalisation
  • replies: 4

I've been having this feeling where I feel like I'm not in control of my body and actions. Let's say I start a conversation with someone and in mid conversation, I forget what I was saying, or cannot say the things I want to say. I've been to many aw... View more

I've been having this feeling where I feel like I'm not in control of my body and actions. Let's say I start a conversation with someone and in mid conversation, I forget what I was saying, or cannot say the things I want to say. I've been to many awkward situations because of this condition. Another time, I feel like I've done something bad (that I obviously didn't do like murdering someone) and feel guilty about it. It feels like I have two versions of myself and my other half acts independently from myself. Has anyone felt the same? Should I bring it up with my psychologist? or do I need to see a psychiatrist?

Stefan164 Should I seek help for OCD/Anxiety?
  • replies: 10

Hey everyone, I have had anxiety for quite a long time now and I also think I have had OCD for a long time but this has never been formally diagnosed. It is at its worst when I am stressed or feeling anxious and effects me in a variety of ways For ex... View more

Hey everyone, I have had anxiety for quite a long time now and I also think I have had OCD for a long time but this has never been formally diagnosed. It is at its worst when I am stressed or feeling anxious and effects me in a variety of ways For example at the moment I have recently started the lab work component of my honours at university this year. Throughout the day my mind is constantly in overdrive when working as I am constantly checking and double checking things throughout the day. Whether or not I put things back in the fridge and closed the door properly, if I switched off powerpoints, if I put enough liquid in the jars, if I followed the right step, If I labelled things right etc. Even today I was the last one to leave the lab and I checked some of the powerpoints and fridges 4 or 5 times before leaving I was even heading to the door but had to double back because of that lingering anxiety feeling so I could check them all again. All of this is leaving me mentally and physically exhausted at the end of the day and my concentration is getting worse as all of my focus is going towards these habits. The work is enjoyable but the experience hasnt been great so far because im feeling constantly stressed. I've tried all these years to get over these issues using lifestyle changes and they somewhat help although I am not consistent and tend to drop things for a while when Im not in a great mood. Can anyone relate to or has overcome some of these issues? Any advice would be appreciated and thanks for taking the time to read

socialmoth Anxiety around certain people
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone, I'm looking to get some advice on how to handle anxiety around specific people. My step sister has one really good friend who it seems she uses as a crutch a lot in social situations. While this is totally fine, the friend has said some ... View more

Hi everyone, I'm looking to get some advice on how to handle anxiety around specific people. My step sister has one really good friend who it seems she uses as a crutch a lot in social situations. While this is totally fine, the friend has said some bad stuff about me and has told people that she doesn't like me (she has even said this to my boyfriend of 4 years). She also very subtly puts me down when she's around by making snark remarks and laughing at me. I don't have the best relationship with my step sister already and I think this is what started it. Even though I have spoken to my step mum about how this person makes me feel (she makes me lower my self worth and the anxiety I get before seeing her makes me feel physically ill), my step mum still keeps inviting her to family gatherings. This is really upsetting to me and is another thing in itself as my family doesn't really take others into consideration. I just found out that this person has been invited to my families mother's day brunch on Sunday and already I'm feeling a pain in my chest, can't eat properly and having minor panic attacks. I can't bail on this brunch and I want to work on my resilience to be able to power through my anxiety in these situations. Does anyone have any tips on how to handle your anxiety around people who make you feel this way?

Here2Talk How to get motivated to exercise whilst living with anxiety?
  • replies: 9

Hi all, Wondering if anyone has tips on exercising whilst living with anxiety. I’ve had GAD (generalised anxiety) since childhood, am somewhat overweight and have never been able to stick to exercise well. I realise this is true for most people regar... View more

Hi all, Wondering if anyone has tips on exercising whilst living with anxiety. I’ve had GAD (generalised anxiety) since childhood, am somewhat overweight and have never been able to stick to exercise well. I realise this is true for most people regardless of whether they have good or bad mental health, but isn’t it ironic, a thing which can improve your health and longevity and your mood and life in general is so hard to do. Even when you want to do it. To make things worse I work full time and study and have 2 young kids and lots of creative projects (eg songwriting and recording, blogging). So definitely having too much on my plate is a problem. But anyway just wondering if anyone with anxiety had tips or stories to share for getting it done?

csci2555 Not good enough
  • replies: 9

I’ve recently started a new job and it’s completely overwhelming me. I’ve developed a habit over recent years where my negative self talk is destroying my confidence to do anything and my fear of failure is paralysing. These feelings have overridden ... View more

I’ve recently started a new job and it’s completely overwhelming me. I’ve developed a habit over recent years where my negative self talk is destroying my confidence to do anything and my fear of failure is paralysing. These feelings have overridden any excitement I had for the new role and I’m missing the comfort of my previous long term workplace. I’d been there a long time but was also pretty miserable, I’m not sure if it’s because I don’t like the career path I’ve chosen or if I’be just become lazy and unmotivated. I use going out on the weekends to forget all about these thoughts, but this just comes back to haunt me on Monday and Tuesday when I feel like trash and the cycle continues. Struggling at the moment

LachieC New job anxiety pls help
  • replies: 9

Hello Everyone hoping your well, i recently got a new job I start on Monday and my anxiety and depression are causing havoc, I was originally so excited but someway or another this anxiety is ruining it. plus I also found out I will be working every ... View more

Hello Everyone hoping your well, i recently got a new job I start on Monday and my anxiety and depression are causing havoc, I was originally so excited but someway or another this anxiety is ruining it. plus I also found out I will be working every Saturday and Sunday as part of this postion, does anyone else always work weekends, I’m worried I wont get to see my family thank you for your time any help would be highly appreciated

MelJan1990 I am worried and scared
  • replies: 6

I am a high school teacher. At midnight on a Friday night, a teenaged boy showed up on my camera down the side of my house. He tried to get in but I keep my doors locked. I called the police but he was gone by the time they arrived. The police said b... View more

I am a high school teacher. At midnight on a Friday night, a teenaged boy showed up on my camera down the side of my house. He tried to get in but I keep my doors locked. I called the police but he was gone by the time they arrived. The police said because he didn't break in there wasn't much they could do. I am worried this boy might be associated with the school I work at. It's hard to see clearly who he is though as he was wearing a covid mask. I am so scared he is going to come back again. I live by myself and I can't stop thinking what if he comes back again and breaks in next time? I am so scared and worried

Yen2 Do I have dermatillomania or just a bad habit?
  • replies: 6

Hi everyone. A bit of background: I have a history of anxiety and have been biting my nails and picking on my skin on my fingers ONLY for over 10 years. Please bear in mind I'm 19 years old this year. - I noticed I bite and pick due to stress and anx... View more

Hi everyone. A bit of background: I have a history of anxiety and have been biting my nails and picking on my skin on my fingers ONLY for over 10 years. Please bear in mind I'm 19 years old this year. - I noticed I bite and pick due to stress and anxiety. BUT I have also unconsciously bit and picked whenever I'm bored or my fingers are "imperfect". I keep my make sure my nails don't show any whites and try to make sure majority of the skin around my fingers are at the same layer. - My family thinks its a bad habit. I have been to a dermatologist where he said my skin was dry and easily flakes and that was why I pick my skin. The psychologist told my mom its connected to my anxiety. I believe both are partly true but don't tell the full story. - During high moments of stress and anxiety such as in exams or during a busy day at work, I will unconsciously torture my finger to the point of bleeding/infection. I will only notice after I feel the pain or taste the blood during a nail biting session. - I have had episodes of general improvement. I found out after years of observation that I have less symptoms during end of year holidays when I have the motivation to grow my nails long for a manicure and when I have little to no stress in my environment. I also have been able to see some whites during my time with braces. However, I still picked and bite when the pain wore off. I don't have much money to see a psychologist but if there is anyone with a similar experience please do give me some tips. Thank you!

Rollingstone101 Scared Of My Existence
  • replies: 1

I have autism and borderline personality disorder I was diagnosed with depression 5 years ago but came out of it about a year ago I have no life there is a world but I'm not in it everybody has somewhere to go and someone to talk to but I just feel n... View more

I have autism and borderline personality disorder I was diagnosed with depression 5 years ago but came out of it about a year ago I have no life there is a world but I'm not in it everybody has somewhere to go and someone to talk to but I just feel none of it I hate how get on with people I hate everything that makes me who I am I don't understand why I'm alive and have to feel like this I'm really useless does anybody else live like this?

Oddities 10 years later
  • replies: 27

I've never been very good at talking about my feeling but here goes. I'm a 31yr old guy, with a beautiful soon to be wife and my wonderful 19 month old son. I've had stable employment for over 10 years now and try to end each day ahead of the last. W... View more

I've never been very good at talking about my feeling but here goes. I'm a 31yr old guy, with a beautiful soon to be wife and my wonderful 19 month old son. I've had stable employment for over 10 years now and try to end each day ahead of the last. What alot of people don't see though, is my anxiety that makes me double check everything, it makes me doubt my ability and at times makes me feel like I'm going insane. I can only describe this as a feeling of my mind is stuck in an unrelenting, thick fog of madness. For 9 of these 10 years I've had a pretty good handle on things and have moved forward well, although the recent passing of my grandfather whome I was close with has turned everything upside down. let's go back, and I will keep it brief. I was diagnosed with general anxiety disorder 10 years ago and put on medication, I was also smoking a considerable quantity of cannabis and drinking. This lasted 12 months before I crashed in an almighty collision of reality and what I'd been avoiding. I was put on a second medication, to which I had a rare reaction where I didn't sleep for 5 days and the sickness was almost unbearable, this combined with my grand ideas to stop smoking cannabis and stop taking the first medication all at once, leads me to my visit to the local Mental Health Hospital. I had a sneaky pill before they got to me to drag me out there so by the time I was being examined I was ok, and managed to talk my way out of it. Two days later I had a visit to a Psychiatrist who spoke with me at length and decided that a third medication was the correct medication for me. I was underweight, couldn't eat for days at a time and wasn't sleeping. This medication after 4 weeks had that sorted. Cut back to today, and I've been having more bad days than good and have been struggling quite alot. I've scheduled regular appointments with a psychologist and am now feeling like its day 1 all over again. My partner is amazing and has truly been the anchor I've needed and without her I hate to think of where I could be now. I'm not sure what I'm looking for here, but any support from fellow sufferers might be the thing I need on a bad day to see that light at the end of the tunnel. When its bad, I feel like I'm losing my mind, like this is it and I'm about to say goodbye to my dwindling grip on reality. I don't want to feel like this anymore, I just want to be happy again