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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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Tripleshotcapnosugar ADHD in adults
  • replies: 1

Anyone been diagnosed with adult adhd and how have the symptoms affected your personal relationships?

Anyone been diagnosed with adult adhd and how have the symptoms affected your personal relationships?

Anon285 I want to stop
  • replies: 3

Hi there, I am trying to stop worrying about two things: my appearance, and my health (because of long/term injuries that limit my ability to exercise). I know no one cares about my appearance, and it feels stupid. I keep these concerns to myself - I... View more

Hi there, I am trying to stop worrying about two things: my appearance, and my health (because of long/term injuries that limit my ability to exercise). I know no one cares about my appearance, and it feels stupid. I keep these concerns to myself - I take photos throughout the day to check what I look like in different angles, clothes etc. I purposely disabled my camera for half a year, but as soon as I put it back on again, I’m taking them again and I’m disappointed in myself, I’ve tried many times to stop, and I started this 4 years ago. I’ve seen a psychologist about it, who recommended thinking about positive aspects of my appearance and thinking realistically (example ‘no one cares and if they do it doesn’t matter’ and not looking at photos. For some reason I can’t kick this habit - like I get something from it, either reassurance that I look fine, or look ‘not good’. Thinking about it deeper, maybe it stems from insecurity from negative social experiences, I don’t know. I also worry about my health because I have injuries that keep flaring up preventing me from exercising (this has been going for nearly a year, they’re getting better though). I’m waiting patiently for the injuries to go away, doing physio exercises, and then I accidentally injure myself again and I get worried about how long this will last because I’m losing fitness and I gained a bit of weight since I’ve been unable to exercise a lot like before. I distract myself with funny videos, work, study and volunteering, but if I’m not doing those things, I’m literally thinking about this. For hours a day. It’s an unhealthy obsession, unhelpful to anyone because there are so many things in this world that matter more than these things. I don’t have friends, because most people are spending their time doing stuff while I spend it obsessing about these things. I’m not relatable because I worry. And I don’t want to talk about that, so I don’t talk. I have done that since year 10 (5 years ago) and had no friends throughout that because of this too. My question is: have you experienced anything similar to this before too? Also, any ideas about what to do with your free time? Thanks

emily_p Anxiety physical symptoms
  • replies: 2

Hi guys I have anxiety I just want to know if it's normal/does anyone Relse get pain in the middle of there chest between cleavage. Sharp pain comes and goes even when you feel normal.. I've been to my docs and he said it's my anxiety, just never had... View more

Hi guys I have anxiety I just want to know if it's normal/does anyone Relse get pain in the middle of there chest between cleavage. Sharp pain comes and goes even when you feel normal.. I've been to my docs and he said it's my anxiety, just never had this And it keeps coming back sort of like a burning feeling with a sharp pain Doesn't last long. Hope makes sense. Thankyou

John_z Cardiac heath anxiety
  • replies: 2

I’ve been dealing with health anxiety for about 3 years, as well as anxiety and body dysmorphia for 5 although I’ve largely moved past my dysmorphia. I’m 17 years old. I can track my fear of heart related issues back to when I first went to hospital ... View more

I’ve been dealing with health anxiety for about 3 years, as well as anxiety and body dysmorphia for 5 although I’ve largely moved past my dysmorphia. I’m 17 years old. I can track my fear of heart related issues back to when I first went to hospital with issues about anxiety and self image, as my eating habits had changed they tested my blood and found I had low potassium levels and decided to do an ECG which came back clear but there was confusion about prolonged QT syndrome, it was just a misreading on the doctors part and it was checked by a specialist who ruled it out although that moment would forever change me, the panic I felt when being told that my heart had been damaged by my mind was terrifying. I was fine for the following year until I had my first experience with chest pain. It was sharp in my left side and lasted only a few seconds this would trigger a line of panic attacks until one day I had a panic attack so severe about my heart and pain I went to the ER they did an ECG, blood tests and an x-ray and found nothing except for lower potassium yet again. worried about long qt syndrome as low potassium can be a symptom of it my GP and I decided I should see a cardiologist. Had an echocardiogram and another ECG and my heart was in perfect conduction and my QT was perfectly within the limit. I continued to fear my pains that would continue as well as heart palpitations that were a lot rarer than the pain itself but felt like 1 or 2 very loud beats like my heart was changing gears. I decided to get help for the anxiety and after being prescribed medication and seeing a therapist a went a year without panic attack constant cardiac fear. This was success for me as my pain was still there but I could tell that it was muscular skeletal and not related to my heart but rather my back and sternum. BUT recently 6 months after coming off my mediation and stopping therapy I a had a panic attack with the stabbing pain again and now I get constant heart attack symptoms I went to ER got an ECG a X-ray and blood tests and was told I was fine although again, low potassium. I felt amazing for a day until I found that prolonged QT syndrome and low potassium were closely linked and rushed myself to a hospital to get another ECG, there they found my QT was again normal and assured me that prolonged QT syndrome would always be present in ECGs and I was fine. I felt good for a day but now i’m crippled with anxiety i’m scared to exercise, I feel so ill and alone.

PersonAnonymous Anxiety of Disappointing Someone? Please share
  • replies: 5

I have been dealing with my anxiety for years now but have on realised in the last few months that I have a fear of disappointing people. If you have any stories please share and maybe we can find people like us to know we're not alone.

I have been dealing with my anxiety for years now but have on realised in the last few months that I have a fear of disappointing people. If you have any stories please share and maybe we can find people like us to know we're not alone.

Busymum Old job vs new job anxiety
  • replies: 2

I really need some advice. I've had anxiety and depression on and off for years. Mostly mine is environmental and I'm taking care of my mental health by seeing a psychologist regularly. The thing is - my anxiety/depression is not triggered by emergen... View more

I really need some advice. I've had anxiety and depression on and off for years. Mostly mine is environmental and I'm taking care of my mental health by seeing a psychologist regularly. The thing is - my anxiety/depression is not triggered by emergency situations - in fact I seem to do well in these situations and are able to think clearly and help the person who is in need. I'm the "go to" person when someone wants help and I will go all out to help them. I actually feel good about myself when I'm helping someone. I want a job where I'm helping people more than I currently do so I've gone for a couple of "emergency based" positions but the anxiety when I apply is horrible. I took a typing test yesterday, I was shaking and could barely type yet I've been typing for over 20 years. I'm comfortable in my current job (I've been there 10 years) but really want a change but this application/test anxiety is debilitating and stopping me from applying and when I do apply I don't test well at all. The test is apparently designed to see how you cope in these type of stressful situations (as in emergency situations) but my issue isn't the emergency its the test..... I don't know what to do - the testing I've done previously does not reflect my skills and performance when I actually do the job but my self esteem can't keep taking rejection based on test results. Do I just stay where I am? Do I just take the test knowing that I'll likely fail and end up depressed that I'm not good enough? I'm so angry at myself right now for my performance on the typing test - I don't even know if I'll have an opportunity to progress.

Nightwing81 Living with anxiety
  • replies: 4

Hi all! I wanted to get some tips from people on what you do to reduce your anxiety. I'm doing remedial massage and exercise. I'm trying meditation but I'm finding it hard to focus because my mind doesn't stop racing. Any suggestions welcome!! View more

Hi all! I wanted to get some tips from people on what you do to reduce your anxiety. I'm doing remedial massage and exercise. I'm trying meditation but I'm finding it hard to focus because my mind doesn't stop racing. Any suggestions welcome!!

Shelton Anxiety and panic after stopping smoking
  • replies: 18

I've never suffered with anxiety or panic attacks before but after finally stopping smoking four months ago, I've been struggling with insecurity. All the books say the anxiety from nicotine withdrawal should have stopped by now so what am I left wit... View more

I've never suffered with anxiety or panic attacks before but after finally stopping smoking four months ago, I've been struggling with insecurity. All the books say the anxiety from nicotine withdrawal should have stopped by now so what am I left with? Im seeing a psychologist and working closely with my GP but just wondered if anyone else struggled with this.

AverageAusGuy Anxiety- waiting for my test results
  • replies: 8

Hi all, So I struggle with health related anxiety as well as generalised anxiety and depression. In fact I usually try to avoid going to the doctor at all costs (due to my anxiety) but recently I decided that I want to take better care of my health a... View more

Hi all, So I struggle with health related anxiety as well as generalised anxiety and depression. In fact I usually try to avoid going to the doctor at all costs (due to my anxiety) but recently I decided that I want to take better care of my health and get regular check ups. Recently I had a skin check and the doctor removed a tiny suspicious mole (that I didn't even realise I had) to send away for a cancer test. Now I am a wreck waiting for my results. Like alot of people who have health related anxiety my mind is immediately going to the worst case scenario. I almost wish I didn't get the check done as I have been mostly in control of my anxiety lately and I hate this feeling. My life has been great lately and my anxiety hasn't affected me at all until I had to do this test. I am sure that almost everyone who lives in Australia has had to get a mole removed and a cancer test at some point in their life. I keep telling myself that this is a normal part of life but my health anxiety keeps affecting me. I just assume that whatever can go wrong will definitely go wrong for me. If anyone has had similar experiences or tips I would be glad to hear them. Especially if it relates to waiting on health related results or skin cancer checks. Thank you.

Guest_10385 Escalating anxiety over social expectations at new job
  • replies: 1

Hi everyone, I started a new job a month ago. I always find work pretty stressful, especially new jobs. This time it's worse, because this follows a period of unemployment and I've had to move for the job too. As a result, I find work really tiring. ... View more

Hi everyone, I started a new job a month ago. I always find work pretty stressful, especially new jobs. This time it's worse, because this follows a period of unemployment and I've had to move for the job too. As a result, I find work really tiring. Everything is objectively going well, and my immediate team and supervisor are really nice. However, at the end of the day and especially the end of the week, I'm exhausted. The rest of the cohort who started with me (it's a grad program) always go out for Friday drinks. Sometimes I can drag myself out until 7-8pm, though I don't really drink, but at that point I become so exhausted that I can barely keep my eyes open, and feel like crying. The other people seem to stay out until after midnight, and as a result seem to be bonding better. I just feel like everyone must think I'm really unsociable, or even undedicated to my job or unambitious. There seem to be extremely high expectations of people who start in the grad program. I'm pretty intimidated by other grads who openly talk about how to become CEO, etc (and their advice usually seems to involve saying you should go out with colleagues all night every Friday). I'm too scared to intimate that that's not really my goal. I just want to find an interesting/challenging role where I can contribute and apply my skills, but I don't think I'd be good at nor enjoy managing a lot of people. Unfortunately, it's getting to the point where I am more and more anxious as Friday approaches, as I simultaneously want to find excuses not to go out, and feel bad about doing so. I keep having insomnia because I am so worried about this. I have even started cancelling most other activities outside of work, that I enjoy, to try to have more energy, but this just makes me sad. I enjoy other social activities, especially in smaller groups, so it's not that I'm a misanthrope or anything. I don't even think I really have social anxiety, though I've been diagnosed with other anxiety disorders including GAD, OCD and panic attacks (this situation seems to be setting off the GAD, but haven't had any panic attacks thankfully). I just find it stressful being around a lot of people for a long time, so by the time it's 8-9pm and I've been in the office (open-plan) and then out for drinks for 12+ continuous hours, I really can't stand it anymore. But I'm getting more and more stressed that people will perceive me negatively for not going to drinks, or always being the first to leave.

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