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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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CKM Wanting Advice for Family who Gaslights
  • replies: 2

Hi all, I've struggled with depression/anxiety for the better part of 7 years now, although I was only officially diagnosed about 7-8 months ago. Recently, my anxiety has taken over my life and I physically can't go to new places or places far away f... View more

Hi all, I've struggled with depression/anxiety for the better part of 7 years now, although I was only officially diagnosed about 7-8 months ago. Recently, my anxiety has taken over my life and I physically can't go to new places or places far away from home without a panic attack. As per my counsellors help, I've taken small steps to lessen my anxiety and am overall happy with the progress I have made (a few months ago I could not even leave the house for a 5 minute walk around the block). The new things I am able to do without panic now are short, quick walks, driving to the grocery store, and have started to eat at least 2 meals a day. I also passed my drivers test which I was very panicky for, and have overcome but am still nervous about driving on my own. I think I have made good progress for only a few months time. However, a lot of my family disagrees (specifically my mum and my grandma). They are pressuring me to do many things that I know I am not ready for yet. Such as getting a job, or travelling far away to visit people. I have told them many times I can't do those things yet and that my counsellor told me to keep taking small steps I know I am comfortable with. The problem is, every time my mum visits me we always ended up angry and arguing over my anxiety. I try to tell her what things I can and can't do, but it's not good enough for her. To make matters worse, she often ends up crying and saying things like "how do you think I feel?" and other gaslight-like phrases. Usually when she leaves I breakdown and cry a lot because I am physically unable to explain how I feel in words to her face when she asks me big and overwhelming questions like "why can't you do this?". I would really like some advice on dealing with family members who are trying to divert my anxiety into their own personal issues when it isn't. And how I can prepare myself to answer questions like why I can't do something, when the simple answer is my anxiety won't let me. Thanks for reading, any response is appreciated.

Rhianna_n New baby anxiety
  • replies: 2

Hi there, 5 weeks ago I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. I’m absolutely in love with him and want to enjoy every minute but I find myself constantly thinking about all of the things that can harm him. I find it hard to sleep at night because I’m t... View more

Hi there, 5 weeks ago I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. I’m absolutely in love with him and want to enjoy every minute but I find myself constantly thinking about all of the things that can harm him. I find it hard to sleep at night because I’m terrified of SIDS. I’m worried that his bassinet will buckle from under him, that he’s too cold, that he will roll over and suffocate, etc. I find myself constantly checking up on him and that my anxiety levels are through the roof. Any advice on how to get through these early stages of parenthood and beyond that? FYI, I’m a first-time mum and have just started medication for anxiety and depression, and also see a psychologist fortnightly. I’m hoping these things help, but any other advice or just knowing someone understands will help further put my mind at ease.

Braveenough Difficult phase
  • replies: 6

Hello I am not sure if this is me or there are other people going through the same phase. I am facing separation and I am a mother to a beautiful 2 year old. The anxiety is taking toll and I am feeling nauseating and do not feel like eating but that ... View more

Hello I am not sure if this is me or there are other people going through the same phase. I am facing separation and I am a mother to a beautiful 2 year old. The anxiety is taking toll and I am feeling nauseating and do not feel like eating but that is making me feel week. I don't know how to eat. Sometimes I feel if I am doing it right by taking the call to separate or I could have done something. I don't have any friends and don't make friends easily and have been clinging to my husband and perhaps that could be the reason for separation. I am so confused. My brain is thinking too much. It pats me on the back to take such a string call and at the same time I feel sad and cry and get too emotional and think how am I going to make this happen and give my baby a good life. I just wanted to right down and feel as if I am talking to someone. I want someone to just run his hand on my head and say it will be alright my child, you are a brave girl, you can do it or someone who can hug me and tell don't worry I am there. I hope there is light at the end of the tunnel and acknowledge that there must be so many people feeling the same way. It's just that I lack that ability of making friends. Thanks for reading. Regards

Unhappy_Girl Don't understand what is happening to me!!!
  • replies: 11

For the last 9 years I have what I think are panic attacks. I get heart palpitations, get cold yet sweat, feel nauseous and sometimes my legs feel all tingly or not there. This happens intermittently. Sometimes when we are going somewhere new and som... View more

For the last 9 years I have what I think are panic attacks. I get heart palpitations, get cold yet sweat, feel nauseous and sometimes my legs feel all tingly or not there. This happens intermittently. Sometimes when we are going somewhere new and sometimes going to a familiar place. Today I had a doctors appointment and only got half way to town and had to turn around. I had been feeling anxious but thought I'd be okay (sometimes it goes away once I'm on the road and sometimes not). The doctor a while ago gave me some medication but when I took it within 15/20 minutes I would have a major 'wave' come over me that was really scary. Does anyone else have something like this and if so what have you done to cope. If I can't get this sorted out it means I won't have much fun in retirement as we were planning to travel around Australia (grey nomad). I'm at my wits end to get this sorted. It is so frustrating and it really upset me today.

Helenmaree46 Anxious about returning to work after breakdown
  • replies: 6

Hi everyone. I am returning to work in 2 weeks after taking 5 months off due to severe anxiety and panic attack. During this time I have been able to considerably lower anxiety and stop panic attacks. I'm returning to work in 2 weeks and am noticing ... View more

Hi everyone. I am returning to work in 2 weeks after taking 5 months off due to severe anxiety and panic attack. During this time I have been able to considerably lower anxiety and stop panic attacks. I'm returning to work in 2 weeks and am noticing the return of all the dreaded physical symptoms whenever I think about it. I don't want to go back and panic . Any helpful advice please .

Deanohh Social anxiety
  • replies: 3

Hey guys just looking to talk with others who might have the same difficulties. Truely feel for anybody struggling with there mental health it's so horrible. I have found social interactions quite hard since the age of 16 after leaving high school an... View more

Hey guys just looking to talk with others who might have the same difficulties. Truely feel for anybody struggling with there mental health it's so horrible. I have found social interactions quite hard since the age of 16 after leaving high school and into the real world. I was always popular and sociable throughout high school. But then got into the habit of smoking marijuana? I don't know if this plays a part. But basically ever since starting work I was quite nervouse n held onto the fear of if I'm doing well enough. It has carried on for over 10 years. I'm now 27 I work in the construction industry. And everyday work is hard. I desperately won't to connect with people but am so stand of ish due to fear. It has gotten worse to the point I don't feel comfortable around friends. Even lately it's like it's nearly turned into general anxiety? Worrying about anything. This has left me depressed and well and truely struggling I had moments where my social anxiety is completely gone? I went on a road trip with my brother. And because it was something new I just switched of relaxed and was my old self. But after comming back to work I struggle. Does anyone have similar problems where a certain situation they have always feared and turned into a big deal?.

44Max44 Hearing someone but not understanding them/Always having to ask people to repeat themselves
  • replies: 3

This is a problem I've had for a while now. I have pretty bad social anxiety so a lot of the time my mind is racing when talking about someone so what they say goes in one ear and out the other. I hear what they're saying but I just don't understand ... View more

This is a problem I've had for a while now. I have pretty bad social anxiety so a lot of the time my mind is racing when talking about someone so what they say goes in one ear and out the other. I hear what they're saying but I just don't understand them. I always have to ask people to repeat themselves which sucks because it makes it seem like I'm not paying attention to them when I am and makes me come off as rude. It's gotten to a point where a lot of the time I just pretend to hear what they say and nod or something and hope that's the right response. I'm not sure if this is because of a physical or mental problem. On one hand I did injure my ear drum in one ear as a kid, so I could possibly be slightly deaf in that ear. But on the other hand I also suspect I have ADHD so maybe that's causing it. Does anyone else experience this? Do you have any tips? Thank you

yellowsocks879 Driving anxiety is taking over my life
  • replies: 2

I get so extremely anxious whenever I drive. Sometimes I think that it is just a bi-product of the pandemic and not having been able to drive during lockdown. Other times I recall times where my behaviour was really edgy for something as simple as dr... View more

I get so extremely anxious whenever I drive. Sometimes I think that it is just a bi-product of the pandemic and not having been able to drive during lockdown. Other times I recall times where my behaviour was really edgy for something as simple as driving to school. e.g. obsessively checking the time, cleaning my glasses routinely and thoroughly before driving. I've tried to speak to my parents about how sick it makes me feel and they responded by telling me that I'm being stupid, childish and dramatic and that I need to suck it up. I tried again today and they responded in the same way. I had my first panic attack last year and I don't know what to do anymore. I hate feeling like this. I feel like this 'driving anxiety' has woven its way into other aspects of my life.

always1trying struggling with the idea of getting married
  • replies: 5

Hi everyone. I have recently got engaged and initially we both wanted a wedding date that is close due to our families and selves being religious, so that we can start a family. I have found since getting engaged that I am much more anxious, and doub... View more

Hi everyone. I have recently got engaged and initially we both wanted a wedding date that is close due to our families and selves being religious, so that we can start a family. I have found since getting engaged that I am much more anxious, and doubting myself over the engagement. I am unsure how to work out my thoughts and feelings on the subject as I do love him, but with only 11 months to go until the date I do not know if I should discuss about a date change. I have always doubted my abilities on having a child and getting married e.g. the major lifestyle change and how I would cope with the responsibility. My psychologist passed away last month, and Im feeling a bit isolated as to whom I should talk to about it. My fiancee just keeps saying "everything will work out - don't worry" which I feel makes me more anxious. any tips would be great. Thank you kindly

Ultimate_Worrier Anxiety in High Performers
  • replies: 3

Hi, I wanted to start a thread on this, because I find it is not something which is often covered in the resources on line. I am generally healthy, and have a very successful career, and good family life. I find I am fine 11 months of the year, and t... View more

Hi, I wanted to start a thread on this, because I find it is not something which is often covered in the resources on line. I am generally healthy, and have a very successful career, and good family life. I find I am fine 11 months of the year, and then I will get a dreadful bout of anxiety lasting for a week. I don't have full on panic attacks, but I will need to take most of the week off work, and find it almost impossible to concentrate on anything. I will feel like I'm going mad, and obsess over whether I will ever be normal again. Then it passes, and after building up some confidence, I get back on with life. I always find myself wondering whether this is just a permanent thing that will always happen, or whether my job stress brings it on, and I should try to manage that differently. Just wondering if anyone else has the same thing? Cheers