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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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PsychedelicFur Things that can help when having an anxiety attack
  • replies: 3

Hello there, I hope all is well. I have started this thread because I think it’s important that people who suffer or people who don’t even suffer from anxiety are aware of things or rituals that can help when having an anxiety attack. I don’t know fo... View more

Hello there, I hope all is well. I have started this thread because I think it’s important that people who suffer or people who don’t even suffer from anxiety are aware of things or rituals that can help when having an anxiety attack. I don’t know for sure if this thread as been posted before but I’m wanting to do this because I know how hard it can be to when you are trying to be in the moment when having a panic attack some of my favourite things to do when having an anxiety attack is : laying down on my bed to try and help me live in the present moment. This helps if I am at home. Sometimes going for a walk to gather my thoughts and get fresh air helps me. Playing with a fidget spinner, stress ball or small toy helps, immensely. Find something to draw, write about or finding something to read. Focus on three things you can touch, two things you can taste and one thing that you can smell. It helps distract the mind from anxiety sometimes. if you have any suggestions perhaps you could put some responses below. all the best, lots of love PSYCHEDELICFUR xx

Mina19 My pet rabbit died yesterday and I feel so sad
  • replies: 4

Hi people my pet rabbit died yesterday she was attacked by a stray cat and I feel so sad and horrible because I wasn’t there to protect her when it happened. I first felt numb and quiet but now I’m feeling overwhelmed and sick to my stomach. I feel g... View more

Hi people my pet rabbit died yesterday she was attacked by a stray cat and I feel so sad and horrible because I wasn’t there to protect her when it happened. I first felt numb and quiet but now I’m feeling overwhelmed and sick to my stomach. I feel guilty like my rabbit hates me for what happened. I have many pets that I love and take care of well but I didn’t expect this to happen to her. I just feel sick. I already have severe anxiety and ptsd and this is just making everything worse. Please give me some advice.

Kaylazik Help
  • replies: 3

I can’t do anything anymore I give up on everything I’m so scared to just do basic thing I keep trying to talk to my parents about it but no one understands how hard it is to just sleep or wake up everyone just think I’m lazy but it’s just this feel ... View more

I can’t do anything anymore I give up on everything I’m so scared to just do basic thing I keep trying to talk to my parents about it but no one understands how hard it is to just sleep or wake up everyone just think I’m lazy but it’s just this feel where I can’t do even if I really want to I just can’t. My parents been trying to get me a job and they put me on this course and after the first day I give up because the thought of going back scary me so bad I was looking up how to suicide because I’ll rather that then go back I been crying about it for about 10 hours straight now I’m so tired and exhausted and I just don’t know how to explain this to my parents

alexis123 Struggling to leave the house
  • replies: 7

I’ve had anxiety and depression for awhile now but past couple months i’ve struggled to get out of the house or out of my bed and i am usually a very social person but i just keep pushing my friends away because i don’t want to burden them with all m... View more

I’ve had anxiety and depression for awhile now but past couple months i’ve struggled to get out of the house or out of my bed and i am usually a very social person but i just keep pushing my friends away because i don’t want to burden them with all my anxiety, any tips on how to become more social again? I really miss my friends and they still invite me to everything it’s just sometimes i think it’s better if i don’t go and avoid me having anxiety out with them?

Pops06 Driving and test taking anxiety
  • replies: 1

Hi there, just wondering if anyone else suffers from driving anxiety and also test taking anxiety? I really struggle with driving however I have gotten a lot more confident over the past few years. I feel ready to finally take my driving test, howeve... View more

Hi there, just wondering if anyone else suffers from driving anxiety and also test taking anxiety? I really struggle with driving however I have gotten a lot more confident over the past few years. I feel ready to finally take my driving test, however have uncontrollable anxiety about failing the test. Even thinking about it sends me into a panicked state. For context, I’m 30 years old and have failed the practical driving test twice because I physic myself out. I also have dyslexia which I think has impacted my ability to drive and given me ‘fear of failures’ when it comes to test taking. Can anyone else relate or provide any suggestions on how to conquer this fear?

Jolly_Chaplin anxiety episode, had to leave and didn’t say goodbye
  • replies: 1

So I’ve been in Tasmania for about a month now, travelling alone, and have become more close with a girl here who I’ve been seeing for about 3 weeks. Just tonight I saw her before she went to the movies, By which time we’d finished hanging out, every... View more

So I’ve been in Tasmania for about a month now, travelling alone, and have become more close with a girl here who I’ve been seeing for about 3 weeks. Just tonight I saw her before she went to the movies, By which time we’d finished hanging out, everything was fine and I was back at camp, cooking and settling down for the night. She later said her friends were going to a bar. I felt lonely and it had been a while since I’d done anything like that so I decided to see how it would go. I approached the pub and situation with a strong attitude for all to go smoothly. but after about 40 minutes or more, all the noise, people and loud music got just too much for me and sent me into a bad pattern and everything told me I couldn’t stay there any longer. I feel like i don’t even know where both of us are going and if we are even in a relationship. Her mate at the bar said something when I arrived to greet them like oh here’s your friend, which I also temporarily questioned inside my head. At on point my friend/gf took her friends hand to join the dance floor and I felt excluded, overwhelmed, and just left.. whilst driving home I get a message saying, ‘where are you?’ I then had to try to explain about how anxiety stopped me and how i was sorry and I didn’t even know it was going to happen. i drove back to my camp thinking, well, now it’s over, she’s gunna have trouble understanding me and I’ll be a difficult match for her and we are over. I know it probably isn’t true but these situations I just can’t seem to avoid and it’s really hard sometimes to have people understand me when I do these things. I just wished sometimes I didn’t get so consumed by panic. I gave it my best shot but still ended up making matters worse. I’ve dealt with things like this for YEARS and am no stranger to how and why it happens. I just wish it was easier sometimes, and easier on other people having to deal with it when it happens.

ThomasJakeLim Closeted Introverts...you are not alone
  • replies: 3

Hi there I just like to share my experience. I am an introvert, like people in small doses and small talk is hard work. The world screams for extroverts, big personalities and overlooks hidden gems. It is easy to feel anxious cos you feel there is no... View more

Hi there I just like to share my experience. I am an introvert, like people in small doses and small talk is hard work. The world screams for extroverts, big personalities and overlooks hidden gems. It is easy to feel anxious cos you feel there is no place for you. For many years fake it till you make it is me and it comes at a price, my mental health. Which probably explains why so many people are suffering from anxiety. It does not discriminate. I use the term closeted introvert to describe myself. If you are a closeted introvert, you are not alone....the outspoken salesman of the year sitting beside you may be one too. So how do I cope...know your break point and take a break...take a day off or even 2. Sleep in. On a long run, it's worth it. I remind myself constantly work is not my life..it's only part of. Easier said than done I know...I have my bad days and I mourn how I feel to the point I can grief no more and feel better...it's like coming out of a sauna...weird but true....I like end my post with ...be kind and love your introvert self.

lady_frazzle Devastated and feeling stigmatised
  • replies: 5

I had to do a pre employment drug test today for which I declared I take one of the drugs mentioned (prescribed). The result came back showing this drug as expected and I have been told they are now sending this back for further analysis to see if I ... View more

I had to do a pre employment drug test today for which I declared I take one of the drugs mentioned (prescribed). The result came back showing this drug as expected and I have been told they are now sending this back for further analysis to see if I misuse this drug and if I am telling the truth. I wrote I use as needed (which is correct) and tried to say as little as possible as I feel my anxiety and management is my business. I now feel I am going to be compared to whatever standard they have as “normal” when this medication is subjective based on the person. This has absolutely thrown my anxiety through hoops. I had taken more of this medication than I normally would this week as my young child had to do medical tests which could reveal something serious. I do so much to manage my mental health myself and it doesn’t impact my work (there are many good things from anxiety which make me a better worker), however right now I feel so vulnerable and stigmatised

Budgiebird Anxiety and chronic illness
  • replies: 2

Hi I’m new to beyond blue. Glad to have found it. I suffer with severe anxiety caused I believe by my several chronic illnesses and chronic pain. It’s tough. I feel like I miss out on living a ‘normal ‘ life as I’m generally housebound except for doc... View more

Hi I’m new to beyond blue. Glad to have found it. I suffer with severe anxiety caused I believe by my several chronic illnesses and chronic pain. It’s tough. I feel like I miss out on living a ‘normal ‘ life as I’m generally housebound except for doctors appointments. Anyone else have experience with chronic illness and anxiety ? I see great doctors and a psychologist but don’t have anyone I can really talk to who actually understands.

Jarred28 Cant stop panicking
  • replies: 13

As of the past few weeks i've been unable to control the constant fear and panicking. Constantly getting chest tightness and have trouble breathing. I've had multiple tests done on my heart and lungs but they all came back with nothing unusual. I've ... View more

As of the past few weeks i've been unable to control the constant fear and panicking. Constantly getting chest tightness and have trouble breathing. I've had multiple tests done on my heart and lungs but they all came back with nothing unusual. I've also been on/tried about 10 different antidepressants over a few years and they all seem to stop doing anything after a while. Going to see my shrink in a few weeks hopefully. I'm just not sure what they're gonna do and if anyone has some suggestions or ideas as ive tried everything I can think of and nothing works, i wish i was the person i was in my late teens that had no worries and could sleep great. Thanks