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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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MayBaby Are these intrusive thoughts?
  • replies: 5

TW: mention of self harm and suicide Hi all, I (27) have been struggling with some thoughts for the last couple of years, but I am unsure if they are intrusive thoughts going by what I have read online. Whenever I am stressed from work due to being a... View more

TW: mention of self harm and suicide Hi all, I (27) have been struggling with some thoughts for the last couple of years, but I am unsure if they are intrusive thoughts going by what I have read online. Whenever I am stressed from work due to being afraid of making mistakes or remember something I am embarrassed about I get repetitive thoughts or images in my head. It began with the image of harming myself. The thing is I know I wouldn’t action these thoughts. It is more a feeling of my brain not being able to cope or accept what is happening in reality so it just goes into these thoughts automatically to think of something else. My understanding of intrusive thoughts is the person is afraid that they will action on their disturbing thoughts. I feel these have been amplified in the last year working from home, almost as if I don’t have any co-workers or distractions around me blocking them out. Some background on me: I feel like I may have had intrusive thoughts as a child/ teenager. I can remember as a kid watching my parents making me dinner as I thought they could poison me. In school if a teacher was physically close to me I would have to block out the thought of kissing them. Aswell, I haven’t been diagnosed or anything but I am positive I have dermatillomania since I was younger, obsessively picking the skin of my fingertips when idle or stressed. I guess I am just wondering if what I am experiencing now are intrusive thoughts and if I should get help for them. It just sounds a little different to how others feel when experiencing them. thanks

ScaredBetty Constantly sick all the time- Health Anxiety?
  • replies: 1

I know I suffer severely from health anxiety and have for many years, I obsess over my health and I always think there is something majorly wrong with me which leads to many trips to the doctors and obsessive google searches about symptoms. My main q... View more

I know I suffer severely from health anxiety and have for many years, I obsess over my health and I always think there is something majorly wrong with me which leads to many trips to the doctors and obsessive google searches about symptoms. My main question though is this- I find I am always sick as in flu sick where I get a sore throat and chest and feel just generally unwell like I have a really bad cold or flu, and this happens to me all the time to the point where I miss out on a lot because I am constantly sick. I know anxiety can give you many physical symptoms but this is more like I have a really weak immune system and I am just sick all the time. I live a healthy lifestyle and I exercise and eat well and feel as though I do everything right to boost my immune system so its becoming really frustrating to come down with a cold all the time. I don't know if I am doing this to myself because my constant stress and anxiety is destroying my immune system and making me sick all the time, does anyone else experience this and have any advice? And how did you get back to your normal health.

Kazkat Tips to help feel more control in life
  • replies: 3

Hi I have had anxiety since I was a child. I can't remember a time when anxiety didnt control my thoughts. I am really interested in anyone's tips on strategies to feel more in control of your life and in your relationship

Hi I have had anxiety since I was a child. I can't remember a time when anxiety didnt control my thoughts. I am really interested in anyone's tips on strategies to feel more in control of your life and in your relationship

Frogsong Loneliness
  • replies: 30

Is it just me or are there others out there who have trouble making friends. I've lived in the area for such a long time but can't seem to find my niche. I've tried on several occasions to participate in different things but for one reason or another... View more

Is it just me or are there others out there who have trouble making friends. I've lived in the area for such a long time but can't seem to find my niche. I've tried on several occasions to participate in different things but for one reason or another, my anxiety and fear of being rejected takes over. I know it's something l have to try and overcome but it's really hard and I am 60. I'm very kind and tolerant, married to a man who l know loves me, but he isn't social which doesn't help. If it wasn't for my kids, l think l would just pack up and go. So if there's any one who is going through similar things I'd love to hear from you.

Ab67 Scared mum of anxious teen
  • replies: 4

Scared mum of anxious teen here. She took herself to Headspace for crisis counselling. I am so proud that she knows where to turn for support when she needs it. But I am very unhappy with the advice she tells me was given - that there should be no re... View more

Scared mum of anxious teen here. She took herself to Headspace for crisis counselling. I am so proud that she knows where to turn for support when she needs it. But I am very unhappy with the advice she tells me was given - that there should be no restrictions on her computer use (which means she will be up late (12-3am) even on a school night and that I should talk to her less (stop going into her room, which means I do not see her when she is home) and communicate more by text (which she does not answer). I find this advice incredible and unworkable. Three appointments in and we now only see our daughter when she leaves the house for school and her one outing with friends on the weekend. She doesn’t join us for meals. She barely eats. She is disconnected, and getting more disconnected to her family with every day - but seems happy out with her friends. It’s Sunday and I expect she will spend from Sat 3pm to Mon 7:30 am in bed with her computer, and give me daggers if I go in to see her. Any suggestions to engage with me and the world are shot down and I am asked to leave her alone. Headspace do not include me as a parent in the sessions and I totally respect my daughters privacy if that is what she wants/ needs. But spending more time alone in bed on a computer seems like very bad advice to me and our relationship is deteriorating daily. Can anyone suggest the best ways I can support my daughter? Anxiety sufferers please help me understand - Is it good advice for her to stay in bed for extended times? Do I respect my daughters wishes and leave her alone or disrespect them by trying to engage with her? Thank you the advice

Indeed Anxious feelings about my girlfriend
  • replies: 4

Hi everyone I have been in a relationship with this girl for a couple months now and so far everything has been great. Lots of affection and deep conversations etc. But I can never shake the feeling of it all going to crap. Every now and then (more c... View more

Hi everyone I have been in a relationship with this girl for a couple months now and so far everything has been great. Lots of affection and deep conversations etc. But I can never shake the feeling of it all going to crap. Every now and then (more common recently) I have strong thoughts of her cheating, lying about her loving me, or manipulating me for some malicious purpose. I want to talk to her about it so I can be comforted and whatnot but she is not an emotionally stable person and has breakdowns every now and then. I feel as if just the idea will trigger one. She has also said in her most recent one that it was triggered because she felt as if she was a burden on the people around her and felt as if the people who love her, felt as if she didnt love them back. Today was even worse because my brain was tired and I couldnt rationalise my thoughts like usual so I had a small depressive episode. I have a tendency to overanalyse stupid things and was getting the impression from her recent messages (snapchat) that she was geting fed up with me, and that is what sort of triggered it. I want to be able to talk to her and be comforted by her the same way she says I do for her but I feel that is impossible. Is there a way I can deal with these types of emotions and intrusive thoughts without involving her? Sorry for this being a bit rambly and I will clarify anything in replies.

Tamrby I don't know if this is normal but...
  • replies: 2

Okay so 3 years ago I had a few panic attacks, they were horrible but when they stopped happening I thought I was done with it. However now I feel it coming back, I'm not too sure what it is to be honest but I get the biggest pit in my stomach like t... View more

Okay so 3 years ago I had a few panic attacks, they were horrible but when they stopped happening I thought I was done with it. However now I feel it coming back, I'm not too sure what it is to be honest but I get the biggest pit in my stomach like the ones you get when you get caught doing something really bad or something but the come multiple times a day. My legs shake and go numb and I start hyperventilating. Normally I can calm myself down if I'm in the middle of class as I don't want anything to happen but It's becoming harder to manage. I already struggle to act "normal" in school and I get more nervous thinking about the people in my class and what they'd think if I broke down in my class... I really don't want the panic attacks to come back. Anyone got any tips on how to prolong panic attacks to I can at least make it to the end of class, breathing techniques don't really work on me and I'm often silently suffering because I don't want to annoy my friends or making anyone think I want attention or anything, believe me in that situation thats the last thing I want. Anyways any advice would be greatly appreciated thanks

Marie547 Why is my anxiety back? - Confused
  • replies: 4

Hello, I have been a long time sufferer with anxiety and I generally manage it pretty well on my own. 5 years ago it was at an all time high, around that point in life I felt lost and lonely, not many things seemed to be going right for me. I tried c... View more

Hello, I have been a long time sufferer with anxiety and I generally manage it pretty well on my own. 5 years ago it was at an all time high, around that point in life I felt lost and lonely, not many things seemed to be going right for me. I tried counselling, mindfulness, Yoga talking with friends.. all of which seemed to help for a very short period of time but it would always return. I then met my husband and I have been very well since, and although I still had anxiety I have very rarely had a flare up outside of what would be considered a normal stressful situation. My anxiety is back again and I am struggling to figure out what the trigger is. My life situation is great at the moment. Generally I have always been able to figure out the trigger but I don't know why I am feeling this way and I don't know how to fix it and reign it in. Has anyone else experienced anxiety for what seems like no particular reason? Has anything helped you to cope with it? I feel selfish and guilty for feeling anxiety when I I cant think of anything that should be giving me anxiety. I am getting the same feelings I had 5 years ago, like I am starting to loose control of my anxiety once again.

ashkey Anxious to begin driving
  • replies: 3

Hi there, I'm sure by the title of this thread that it's obvious what I'm struggling with. I'm turning 30 this year and while I would love to get my licence finally its been really quite tough even getting in the car to drive. I know where my anxiety... View more

Hi there, I'm sure by the title of this thread that it's obvious what I'm struggling with. I'm turning 30 this year and while I would love to get my licence finally its been really quite tough even getting in the car to drive. I know where my anxiety began and it's the reaction from my little sister and my dad both laughing and yelling as I started the car for my my first time when I was 16 and mum was teaching me. I know they didn't mean their reactions and I have mentioned this event to them both, trying not to pin blame because I know it wasn't deliberate, but my sister had the easy ride of getting her license and now has her opens, a new car and gets all the admiration. I know this makes me sound envious and yeah, I am, I'm not ashamed to admit it. I have progressed over the years being able to talk about my anxiety with driving where I never was able to and I get closer everyday on wanting to book a lesson. My problem is is that I have to keep it a secret from my dad and sister because if they knew, I know they would be supportive but it would come across the wrong way and set me off. My mum has agreed to keep the secret when I start but I'm paranoid that if my Dad found out he would be hurt and then it will set me back as he has a tendency to make everything about him and thinks he has done something wrong and gets hurt. He doesn't understand that it's not personal but something I need to do. So, after all that, my question is, has anyone dealt with this, is currently dealing with a similar situation or have any tips that got them to their first driving lesson with an instructor that made them feel comfortable. I guess I just want the answer more so on how to push past my dads feelings more so than the actual driving. I love my dad and have a great relationship with him but every conversation about driving he takes so personally and I can't deal with it. It doesn't make me better and he just won't understand. Any assistance with this is always appreciated. I just want to grow and have more freedom and learn. I know it will give me more strength in general. Thankyou

CoffeeCake24 How do I breakup with my seemingly emotionally abusive partner?
  • replies: 3

Hello there, Just recently I met this guy and when we first started dating, like most relationships in the beginning, it was just amazing. He was everything I had wanted in a man. And I felt appreciated and wanted. However, lately things have seem to... View more

Hello there, Just recently I met this guy and when we first started dating, like most relationships in the beginning, it was just amazing. He was everything I had wanted in a man. And I felt appreciated and wanted. However, lately things have seem to deteriorate between us. He seems to put zero effort into our relationship. For instance, he lives quite far away from me and he doesn't drive me home anymore when I come to stay. And when I do catch public transportation home he doesn't even walk me to my train and make sure I get on my train, safely. He doesn't come to visit me anymore. We either meet in the city, at a mutual friend for him but families' house for me. Or even at his house. I feel very unloved, unappreciated and very much unwanted. I feel like I am also being emotionally abused because when I speak up about my feelings and my concerns he gets very frustrated and angry with me. Knowing, perfectly well that I suffer enormously from anxiety I try to act brave and speak my concerns. I have tried wording things differently. And now I feel very nervous and frightened to tell him my concerns as usually he says that 'I hurt him when I need reassurance about our relationship.' or he tells me I am 'too sensitive' when he calls me a name, jokingly. And usually when I speak up about the issues that occur throughout our relationship he tells me that he 'isn't in the mood' to talk about it or he needs alone time and then he leaves me feeling very confused and upset. And he tells me sometimes issues I bring up 'are not fair on his behalf because he does a lot for me.' Recently, I tried to break it off with him because I told him I felt within myself that I wasn't fully prepared nor ready to move in with him even though a week prior I thought the idea was wonderful and practical. I told him I needed to think about it and he told me that we didn't have long to think about it because he wanted to get the ball rolling as quickly as possibly. I was so stressed because he suddenly was making me feel horrible and worried about where he was going to live. I was panicking because he seem to be placing the blame on me. Saying things like 'oh you have really seem to of f*cked things up for me now.' I feel scared to talk to him about my feelings and concerns because I don't like us having arguments. I know deep down this man isn't good for me and even others can see that by the way he treats me. How do I leave him?

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