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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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stingingb33 How do you deal with emotional "holes"
  • replies: 4

I always feel like there is an emotional hole within me. I try to distract myself but nothing seemingly works. I've been advised that I would have to learn to live with it, but honestly I am struggling with it. Sometimes I feel I'm wasting every seco... View more

I always feel like there is an emotional hole within me. I try to distract myself but nothing seemingly works. I've been advised that I would have to learn to live with it, but honestly I am struggling with it. Sometimes I feel I'm wasting every second of life and need to do better at 'living'.

Angela_B How to handle a friend with anxiety and paranoia
  • replies: 2

My best friend and I have been close for 4 years, but I’ve noticed her becoming increasingly distant lately. She finally opened up about her anxiety and depression a few weeks ago, to which I tried to listen and be supportive. I saw her on the weeken... View more

My best friend and I have been close for 4 years, but I’ve noticed her becoming increasingly distant lately. She finally opened up about her anxiety and depression a few weeks ago, to which I tried to listen and be supportive. I saw her on the weekend and everything was fine. However, that evening she called me. She knows I’m looking for a job, and earlier that day I’d asked her how she got her job, and where she found it advertised. I’d thought nothing of it. She abused me however and accused me of deceiving her and going behind her back to get a job at the same place as her, demanding to know why I wouldn’t have ‘just asked her if there was an opening.’ I tried to calmly correct her and explain that I had no specific interest in her role and hadn’t actively sought it in any way, knowing she’d tell me if there actually was an opening there. However, she wouldn’t believe anything I said. Of course, I got angry at the accusations. I have never done anything behind her back and I’ve always supported her. She also lashed out claiming I have a ‘social circle’ that I’m hiding from here, which again is not true. She was furious that I’d never introduced her to a uni acquaintance I barely know. She was hysterical by the end of the call saying she just ‘doesn’t know who to trust.’ At first I was really upset and angry, but I’m honestly very concerned about her. She’s never turned on me at all in our friendship, and I have never turned on her. I feel her mental health is deteriorating but I can’t help her while she’s so hostile toward me. I’d appreciate any advice.

Guest_4593 Covid, masks and a panic disorder
  • replies: 3

We have Caught up to the rest of the world And Where In lockdown.. wearing a mask is not unusual for my job at times usually for no more than 10 to 30 minutes.. but i tend not to because i find it hard to Breathe and feel Claustrophobic and other fee... View more

We have Caught up to the rest of the world And Where In lockdown.. wearing a mask is not unusual for my job at times usually for no more than 10 to 30 minutes.. but i tend not to because i find it hard to Breathe and feel Claustrophobic and other feelings. but now we have a Compulsory mask wearing at all times. How are people that have been doing this all year dealing with wearing a mask for 8 hours a day with a panic disorder

felixre Night terror anxiety
  • replies: 1

Hi there! I’ve been struggling with night terrors for the past 10 years of my life. They never seem to get better or go away, which is odd because I’m now 19. I get severe anxiety from these night terrors, thrash in my sleep and scream/yell for help.... View more

Hi there! I’ve been struggling with night terrors for the past 10 years of my life. They never seem to get better or go away, which is odd because I’m now 19. I get severe anxiety from these night terrors, thrash in my sleep and scream/yell for help. Once I am awake, I feel this impending sense of doom and fear. My heart races and I physically can’t move. I can only speak and cry out for help. I am worried about this because I am getting roommates in just under a week, and worry about what they will think. Could this be linked with PTSD?? Does anyone else have these kind of experiences? Is there any way to get help? Please let me know, it would be nice to know I’m not the only one.

Farren Gadding about with Farren
  • replies: 4

I was recently told I had generalised anxiety disorder after a near fatal diet success then I xperienced sleep paralysis and now after reading about it am almost happy to find out its so common-really relieved.

I was recently told I had generalised anxiety disorder after a near fatal diet success then I xperienced sleep paralysis and now after reading about it am almost happy to find out its so common-really relieved.

SHELBY MUSTANG New Job, struggling to learn, feeling very anxious, co worker rude and impatient
  • replies: 1

Hi there after many years I managed to secure a government administration job, its only casual bit I work full time. I have been in the job only 9 days so far and the office is short staffed and everyone is overworked, I am expected to watch what eve... View more

Hi there after many years I managed to secure a government administration job, its only casual bit I work full time. I have been in the job only 9 days so far and the office is short staffed and everyone is overworked, I am expected to watch what everyone does and take detailed notes, the only problem is I still do not have computer access and the training manual is several years out of date. Last week, I was left to work on my own processing transactions and whenever I was unsure I had to ask my co worker for help, she also logged onto a spare pc so I could work. My co worker is very grumpy, impatient and unapproachable, every time I asked her a question she would roll her eyes and ask why didn't I take notes when I couldn't find the relevant spreadsheets etc. I already have a folder full of handwritten notes in this job and feel I am overloaded. This co worker has been in the job many many years so everything is 2nd nature to her and she would have been in my position once as a newbie. I can do say 75% of the job myself, but need help with bits and pieces to fill in the blanks especially the complex software with its myriad of menus. If you read my past threads and posts, I have resigned from jobs if it is a toxic environment or feel I am being exploited, life is too short, but I want to hold onto this job as it pays well and I need to put more money into my savings and retirement accounts. The other office workers are fine, so I will do my best to avoid this particular individual if the others are in. One of the other girls has been there several months and said she still doesn't know everything so I take some comfort in that. Maybe I am being paranoid as I do have a few self esteem problems, I haven't been sleeping at night and have to wake up early for this job at 5.00am. I used to take sleeping pills, but they make me very drowsy the next day and I cant afford to be switched off in this job. I also feel my anxiety may also be causing some brain fog, confusion and forgetfulness. I had to ring a few people for making a couple of mistakes, nothing major, didn't cost the company any money etc, but not a good look to those affected and I wanted to take ownership of my mistakes and build up a relationship with clients and not have them remember me as the guy who makes mistakes. Thanks for reading, I needed to vent as I am always anxious now in my time off now wondering how bad my upcoming work day will be.

Butterfly_Wings_of_Hope Anxiety surrounding COVID
  • replies: 2

Hey guys, so I am in a place where are currently in COVID lock down and I have anxiety. First of all, I just want to say that if your anxiety has been triggered by COVID, I just want you to know that I am with you in spirit. I understand how hard it ... View more

Hey guys, so I am in a place where are currently in COVID lock down and I have anxiety. First of all, I just want to say that if your anxiety has been triggered by COVID, I just want you to know that I am with you in spirit. I understand how hard it is to think rationally when people are panic buying and everything... and I just want you to know I support you. Where I live, we have just gone into another lockdown and we have to wear masks to walk outside. There has been insane panic buying... and I just don't know how to do my part, to encourage people that we live in a SUSTAINABLE country, and we don't need to bloody panic! The panic is infectious and I don't know how to get my city to stop being so silly ... I suppose I can't control other people. It's just really frustrating. Today, I was really anxious to go to the shops cause I ran out of milk. But I called a help line and managed to get to the petrol station, and buy milk and toilet paper. I am really proud. I also managed to get my living room table clean even though I am stressed and sleep deprived. I'm proud about that too. I am a disability support worker (part time) and I am really grateful because I am getting paid to stay at home and not work for five days, which I think is a huge blessing. Perhaps God knew that I needed a break, haha. I am trying to surround myself with positive and relaxing activities during the lock down, like my mindful coloring and I have a jigsaw puzzle ready to do if I get bored. I am trying to stay relaxed but sometimes it's hard ... last night I had a dream that our beautiful country god invaded and that we were at war, i woke up terrified and i had to cling onto my husband. COVID just messes my anxiety up so bad... and if it messes you up too just know you are not alone. Love and peace. ~Butterfly

Cait101 Recent ED diagnosis...
  • replies: 6

Hey everyone, just recently been diagnosed with anorexia, major depression and anxiety. I hate discussing the anorexia with anyone because i feel a lot of people are mis informed about it. I have a lot of anxiety that revolves around it and it just s... View more

Hey everyone, just recently been diagnosed with anorexia, major depression and anxiety. I hate discussing the anorexia with anyone because i feel a lot of people are mis informed about it. I have a lot of anxiety that revolves around it and it just snowballs. Also have a phobia of vomiting to add to the mix. Have just woken up panicking feeling sick so trying to distract myself on here.

Mina19 A lot of worrying and physical/mental symptoms
  • replies: 3

Hi people Female age 22. the last few weeks have been extremely stressful for me. I already have ptsd and severe anxiety and the last week moving home, being away from family, university assignments, worrying about the past and future especially has ... View more

Hi people Female age 22. the last few weeks have been extremely stressful for me. I already have ptsd and severe anxiety and the last week moving home, being away from family, university assignments, worrying about the past and future especially has really put a strain on me. I noticed my stomach had been off and I’m having looser stools and nausea, just feel yucky in general. I was also on a probiotic which I don’t know if that contributed to the diahrea because I also felt crap after taking that too. I’m just scared what if I’m dying and I just feel on edge a lot now. My anxiety has been stable for some time but this just threw everything off. im sorry if it looks like I’m complaining I just needed to talk somewhere. hope to hear from anyone

ourorbit Starting my first full-time job as a mental health clinician
  • replies: 3

Hi all, I have recently graduated from my social work degree and have landed a great job in NSW Health working with the community. I have been dealing with my anxiety since I was a baby, and currently believe I am handling it the best I ever have wit... View more

Hi all, I have recently graduated from my social work degree and have landed a great job in NSW Health working with the community. I have been dealing with my anxiety since I was a baby, and currently believe I am handling it the best I ever have with a good support network and medication. However, these coping mechanisms have not stopped me feeling full of crippling anxiety and self doubt over beginning my new job on Monday. I suppose some of my fears are centered around me not being good at my job, not catching onto concepts quickly enough, and just being generally inadequate to help my clients through their own difficult circumstances. I am so afraid of something bad happening to my clients due to my own mistakes or negligence. I am terrified of missing assessments or documentation that I have to do, and not doing everything perfectly the first time around. I think this stems from my fear of others being disappointed in me. I hold really high expectations of myself and have been told that I place unrelenting standards on any kind of work I do. I also suffer from bowel issues induced from my stress and anxiety that cause me severe pain, so I also have anxiety over getting this pain at work and not being able to do my job adequately. I suffer from panic attacks every now and then (used to be daily however I have gotten my anxiety under control where I now have panic attacks maybe once every few months) and am afraid of having a panic attack at work. I am also sad over losing a lot of my free time to full time work, and not being able to see family and friends as much as I’d like to as I value this time deeply. I have this sense of grief and existential dread that I will now be working for the rest of my life, and I have entered this mundane and predictable phase of my life where I work 5 days and look forward to the weekend. I am so afraid of my life being mundane, boring and unfulfilling and get the sense that beginning full-time work symbolises the beginning of just that. I already know most of the people at my work as I completed my final university placement there, and they were all very keen for me to come back as a member of their team. This should be comforting to me, however I feel it places more pressure on me to perform to a high standard in my role to meet the expectations I THINK they have of me. The inside of my head is a mess right now and I’d love to hear if anyone has experienced something similar or has any tips or advice?