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

All discussions

sharkgirl social Anxiety
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Hey, I am new here. I have a 7 month old baby and I get very overwhelmed leaving the house with him. I love my son so much and want him to have the best life but I just can't seem to get past feeling terrified of people judging me and my parenting. I... View more

Hey, I am new here. I have a 7 month old baby and I get very overwhelmed leaving the house with him. I love my son so much and want him to have the best life but I just can't seem to get past feeling terrified of people judging me and my parenting. I signed up to go to playgroup but the last time I went I was so nervous I just stood in the corner and struggled to start any conversations with other parents. Does anyone else have trouble or had trouble leaving the house with their new baby? if so any tips on how to overcome this?

amyt- How to help study anxiety!
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Study anxiety can be challenging, it can come with pressure, stress and even feelings of hopelessness. As a current year 12 student and having previously and currently experiencing these study anxiety feelings, I can help if you're feeling lost. Some... View more

Study anxiety can be challenging, it can come with pressure, stress and even feelings of hopelessness. As a current year 12 student and having previously and currently experiencing these study anxiety feelings, I can help if you're feeling lost. Some small things to start off by easing your mind is LISTS!! Every anxious persons favourite thing! Begin with taking a deep breath, if you're feeling overwhelmed, and grab some paper or a note book and begin writing down a to-do list. I personally love to write down in dot points what homework and study I have to do in order from needs more work to least, and a great tip for studying is do homework, study on maths for 45 minutes, then spend an hour on your weakest subject and another hour on a different subject, great method for planning and memory! My main tip for you all with study anxiety is meditate in the morning, night and before beginning your studies, it's proven that meditating improves your memory skills, so that's a plus alongside the meditation and clearing your mind. And of course the lists and planning out your days to clear and organise your mind!

Matt SA Who do you go to?
  • replies: 17

So I’m 41 and am the person everyone in my family & friends group comes to when they need help. Inside I’m cracking under the pressure & I feel like when I’m pretty much in crisis I have no one to turn to. I’ve been seeing a psychologist and for the ... View more

So I’m 41 and am the person everyone in my family & friends group comes to when they need help. Inside I’m cracking under the pressure & I feel like when I’m pretty much in crisis I have no one to turn to. I’ve been seeing a psychologist and for the most part it goes well - but I still find when the pressure gets high I want to fall apart but feel so completely alone.

DassaJassa Drug Induced Daily Anxiety
  • replies: 34

Hello readers Here is my story... I'm a 22 year old Male who has been struggling with daily anxiety and now depression as a result. Around 4 months ago, I was using the Illicit drug methamphetamine with a friend, I never regularly experimented with t... View more

Hello readers Here is my story... I'm a 22 year old Male who has been struggling with daily anxiety and now depression as a result. Around 4 months ago, I was using the Illicit drug methamphetamine with a friend, I never regularly experimented with this substance, let's say every few months we'd set aside a few days and have a bender with mutual friends. Maybe 10 times in my lifetime, max. I was a regular weed smoker and on occasion ecstasy, so we can establish I wasn't a model citizen. I was caught up in the fun and it was common practice with my friends, this is my main regret, I can't undo it, i wish I could now, with that said, let me tell you about my incident. That night, 4 months ago, after smoking quite a large amount of the drug ice, not knowing at the time how much was too much as I generally thought I could handle it and having been awake for possible 48 hours? Hard to say considering how long ago it was, I then proceeded to smoke some weed, which this wasn't a new thing, I often would mix drugs without incident. I proceeded to have a shower, shortly after getting in i began to feel really uncomfortable in the chest, my focus was then drawn to my heart-rate, being on a stimulant, it was racing, I immediately left the shower, got dressed and entered my roommates room, complaining of chest pain and concerned, he said not to worry, that i was just "paz". the intensity increased and I began having problems breathing, and was convinced I was having a heart attack, I demanded he call 000, After a half an hour wait with me on the ground, fearing I was about to die, I was taken to hospital, they diagnosed an overdose. I was sent home and since then, have had daily chest pains, chest tightness, constant palpitations and pounding heart, headaches, random pains, constant fear of having another incident, panic and various other terrifying symptoms. After countless visits to GP's, I was referred to a psychologist, I'm on my sixth session and it does help, I have longer periods without losing control but I'm still struggling. I've been considering antidepressants since it was recommended by the GP months ago but I'm really worried about it making me feel worse in the initial weeks, my symptoms already terrify me, particularly heart related one's. I've read myself into hysteria about side effects, what's worse, my parents aren't even aware of any of this, for their own sake. I just don't see myself ever being normal again, I fear this is permanent

Bomber11 Driving Anxiety
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Hi This is my first post so I may struggle to put my feelings in to words. Driving in unfamiliar places raises my anxiety to extreme levels in some cases, blurred vision, shortness of breath and racing heart that leave me avoiding going anywhere out ... View more

Hi This is my first post so I may struggle to put my feelings in to words. Driving in unfamiliar places raises my anxiety to extreme levels in some cases, blurred vision, shortness of breath and racing heart that leave me avoiding going anywhere out of the ordinary. I’m finding it hard to rationalise the feelings or work through them so I can work on a solution. I feel as though I’m missing out on travel opportunities and seeing new places and the longer it goes on the worse it becomes. The same feelings come about in most unfamiliar surroundings and I have this innate fear of not having my bearings and losing my sense of direction. This is something I’ve worked with and put up with for years. Anyone experienced anything similar

Gg22 Extremely anxioua after return of panic attacks
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Hello everyone, I have been diagnosed with GAD I mainly struggle with health anxiety. My anxiety had been pretty stable the past few months, havent had any panic attacks. I see a psychologist and do CBT, practice meditation, exercise and do activitie... View more

Hello everyone, I have been diagnosed with GAD I mainly struggle with health anxiety. My anxiety had been pretty stable the past few months, havent had any panic attacks. I see a psychologist and do CBT, practice meditation, exercise and do activities that calm me.. a week ago i experienced 2 panic attacks and i feel i have tried everything and I am still getting no relief. I feel really upset that there really is something medically wrong with me even though i have seen my GP many times. My panic attacks start with a big warm rush throughout my body, my heart races, i get hot, dizzy and shake afterwards.. is this what panic attack is? I'm honestly unsure anymore. I can be laying in bed watching tv and this happens. I dont understand. I feel at my wits end with this. This is also started with the traumatic birth of my son 16 months ago and recently i have been wanting another l, i think this is what has started my anxiety and panic attacks again. I have ann app with my psych but the wait time is 4 months so i just don't know what to do in the meantime. Im sick of anxiety stopping me from doing what i want in life but i am so terrified of the thouhht of going through all the birth etc again. Any advice would be appreciated

David9 How to survive
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Hi all, I am just new to this forum and desperately need help from people who understand. I want advice as how to start my day. I suffer from anxiety and the start of each day is when I am most frightened. I am in a job I hate but it pays the bills f... View more

Hi all, I am just new to this forum and desperately need help from people who understand. I want advice as how to start my day. I suffer from anxiety and the start of each day is when I am most frightened. I am in a job I hate but it pays the bills for now. I want to wake up in the morning and rather that hide under the covers trembling I want to be able to rise and greet a new day even though I know it is going to be stressful as usual. This anxiety is slowly grinding me down to a point where it is really scaring me about where it will end up.

Weaponsofmassdisstortion I prefer it the other way
  • replies: 6

I am not really sure if this belongs on here. But here goes; I went to two different libraries over the space of a month. I had to get some printing done. The first one was a trial. I got told off for not wearing a proper surgical mask. I had to use ... View more

I am not really sure if this belongs on here. But here goes; I went to two different libraries over the space of a month. I had to get some printing done. The first one was a trial. I got told off for not wearing a proper surgical mask. I had to use a qr code screening app. The app however wasn't ready yet. So, I had to use one of the staff's cards and put money on it. I also had to sanitise my hands three different times. The second library was so accommodating. I had never printed from there before. They took me through all the steps. My God, it was so weird. I thought I had stepped into an episode of the twilight zone. Like why are you being so nice to me? Does anyone else have this problem? Like you does it surprise you when people are actually nice to you? and you don't know how to react?

contrarymary Coronary artery disease (CAD) anyone have any advice for someone just been diagnosed
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After going backwards and forwards to GP and emergency and cardiologist I have been diagnosed with CAD which has been a shock i have been given a diet plan and told to come back in 12 months and if I experience chest pain go to ER does anyone else he... View more

After going backwards and forwards to GP and emergency and cardiologist I have been diagnosed with CAD which has been a shock i have been given a diet plan and told to come back in 12 months and if I experience chest pain go to ER does anyone else here have CAD and can they offer advice on living with it day to day. My local hospital runs are cardiac rehabilitation clinic but due to covid it's not operating. as you can imagine my stress and anxiety levels are at a all time high

Christie123 I am very lost
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I am starting Uni this year in a degree I don’t want to do.I am lying to myself because I need to do something. I need to be able to give a good answer when they ask me what I am want to do now. I have no idea what I want to do so I am just doing thi... View more

I am starting Uni this year in a degree I don’t want to do.I am lying to myself because I need to do something. I need to be able to give a good answer when they ask me what I am want to do now. I have no idea what I want to do so I am just doing this to give them an answer. I look over the course work and cry, I drive past the campus and I feel sick because I know how much rides on this. I can’t just not do anything, that would make me more pathetic than I am right now. I have been looking for a job for the last 7 months and I’ve sent out and given hundreds of resumes but still no callbacks. I gotten rejected so many times and re did my resume so many times and get nothing sticks. I even went and did a course to make myself seem more employable and no luck. I got called for two interviews Yesterday, woke up with a burning fever but smashed a couple panadols and went to it. Thought I did well in the first one but didn’t get it and I read the wrong time for the second one so I missed it entirely. I read 5:30 what it actually said was 3:45. Why am I such an idiot? I don’t have any skills, or interesting things about me that make me employable or just enjoyable to be around. I worked at a shitty job for 2 years getting underpaid and I was fired. I just got out of high school and it seems like everyone has their life together and mine if just yuck. It’s a bit dramatic but U need to let this out. I know if I tell my parents they’ll either turn it in me and make me feel like shit or get weird. If I tell my friends they’ll make fun of me and I usually I’d want to laugh but I don’t know how to tell them that this isn’t something I want to laugh about. I see my sister being isolated and I try to stand up for her but there is only so much I can do. I’m just lost . I don’t know who I am. I am good at nothing, I am not charasmatic, creative or good with people. I’m not smart or strong I’m just going with the flow until it blows up in my face. I hate it