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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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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.

ReachOut83 Trying to move forward
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone, thank you for taking the time to read my post. I have had depression and anxiety most of my life. I struggle with shyness, but at times I become very lonely. I’m trying to move forward with my life. At this point in time I am unemployed.... View more

Hi everyone, thank you for taking the time to read my post. I have had depression and anxiety most of my life. I struggle with shyness, but at times I become very lonely. I’m trying to move forward with my life. At this point in time I am unemployed. I am trying to get on top of my mental and physical health. I have multiple appointments coming up with diabetes educator, diabetes specialist and a psychiatry appointment. It’s a lonely road doing it all by myself, but I’m a survivor and I will do it! At this point in time, I have a lot of anxiety about getting back into the workforce. I was in a job where I was constantly bullied, humiliated, and threatened with dismissal almost on a daily basis. My fear is, is that it could potentially happen again. I’m a shy person. I suppose I am what you might call a people pleaser. My previous girlfriend really wanted me to take this job where I was constantly bullied everyday, so I could get her this expensive engagement ring. I have hopefully learned my lesson about sacrificing my own happiness for someone else’s isn’t worth it. A lot of the the time I get quite lonely, and will take myself out to the beach, or to a cafe somewhere. At this point in time my focus is my mental and physical health, then I will start looking for work. Hopefully in the second half of the year I can enrol myself into Tafe to do a course in metal fabrication. I got the meetup app today and found a shyness group that meet for coffee on Sundays. I still have struggles with my sleep, I am awake most of the night and sleep right though to midday. At times I struggle with suicidal thoughts and anger with all of the bullying that I have experienced. Not just in the workplace, but during my adolescence also. Hopefully after my appointment with the psychiatrist tomorrow, I can start to heal and make some positive changes in my life. Thank you for stopping by to read my thread. kind regards.

phillips__ frequent chronic overthinking about whether i've been rude or offended somebody- please help
  • replies: 3

Basically, I have a habit of going to bed and then thinking through what I did and said that day, and then getting caught up in little bits of conversation or my actions and whether they offended somebody, or made me come across as rude. I usually en... View more

Basically, I have a habit of going to bed and then thinking through what I did and said that day, and then getting caught up in little bits of conversation or my actions and whether they offended somebody, or made me come across as rude. I usually end up finding some little thing to fixate on and then obsess over whether I was out of line, and I'm tired of it. It takes a lot of energy, but I can't stop doing it until I'm sure that the other person has forgotten about it or was not offended in the first place (which are both very hard things to find out), or until I find something new to fixate on and let that fester in my brain instead. For example, last week, my teacher asked me to answer a question but addressed me by the name of one of my classmates, instead of my actual name. I stared at him for a few seconds (I remember not really knowing what to do) until my classmate (whose name was called instead of mine) told him that he had called her name instead, and then he went to check the class list and finally said the right name. At the time, I didn't think much of it, but now I'm really worried. I feel like I overreacted a lot, and now he probably thinks I'm rude. Names are important and all, but he IS a busy man and probably has to remember a ton of names, plus it's an honest mistake that everybody makes. I should've just corrected him politely and then carried on, but nO I had to stare at him, and now I've spent two hours panicking over it. I'm trying to console myself that he probably has forgotten by now, but even so, I feel like it was really rude of me to do that, and I have no way of contacting him to apologise. This happens too frequently to be healthy. Please help me out and be honest- was I rude??

Weaponsofmassdisstortion Well that's it, the support I once recieved is finished
  • replies: 2

I am now officially on my own. Cast adrift once again. As of the first of March I am no longer a member of the support group that helped me get through the lockdown. No more in depth talks. No more long emails back and forth. No more going to art gro... View more

I am now officially on my own. Cast adrift once again. As of the first of March I am no longer a member of the support group that helped me get through the lockdown. No more in depth talks. No more long emails back and forth. No more going to art group. I wish I had a time machine. I wish I could go back to about 8 years ago; When I was holding down four crappy jobs. When I was part of another support group. When I had friends who had mental health problems like me. Before the NDIS came along ruined everything. I was living in a crappy share house. I was hated by a large group of people because of vicious rumours. I was broke. I was always tired. But I didn't care. I felt as if I was where I belonged. That was a high point of my life. Back then I was almost happy.

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