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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. Remeber, this is anonymous and the Beyond Blue team are here to help if you need it This section is for people who are experiencing anixiety 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 you 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 worthile 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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Sophie_S Health anxiety
  • replies: 3

How do you cope with health anxiety? I’ve had so many tests and have all come back normal, yet I’m constantly feeling light headed.. I have so many symptoms with it and it doesn’t make it any better because then I’m just making up crazy scenarios whi... View more

How do you cope with health anxiety? I’ve had so many tests and have all come back normal, yet I’m constantly feeling light headed.. I have so many symptoms with it and it doesn’t make it any better because then I’m just making up crazy scenarios which leads to panic attacks which leads to me feeling even more crappy.. it’s just one vicious cycle. I’m constantly thinking about what my kids would do all day if I died, who would find them? Who would feed my 8 month old? I haven’t felt normal in 3 years since this all started. I want to feel normal again. I feel if this keeps going on I’m going to lose my battle.

NeevL Anxiety over job opportunity
  • replies: 8

Hi, Just wanted to ask for some advice from someone who might have some experience with this or have been in a similar situation. Over the past few months, I have rigorously applied for internships to a variety of different companies/businesses in th... View more

Hi, Just wanted to ask for some advice from someone who might have some experience with this or have been in a similar situation. Over the past few months, I have rigorously applied for internships to a variety of different companies/businesses in the hope of gaining some experience during my university degree. I'm graduating in a years time and ever since COVID hit, this has brought me a great deal of anxiety. I was so scared of graduating without any practical experience, especially in a time with low employment prospects. I recently did an interview for an unpaid internship which was advertised as 3 months in duration. The job advert requested someone that could commit to around 25 hours a week. This unpaid internship is not part of my degree, just something I wanted to do on the side for experience. Today the man called me and offered me the position, however expressed that he is changing the role to 6 months unpaid. I financially can not afford this and the fact that I will have to commit over 600 hours unpaid is making me extremely stressed and sick. I know I will regret turning down the opportunity, especially if I don't get an offer from anywhere else. My parents have told me to express this to the recruiter, but I'm scared he will replace me. I'm considering telling him later on down the track, but I don't wan't want to disappoint or inconvenience anyone, let alone jeopardise using this experience for my resume when I finish. Any advice? Thanks

CHNN Anxiety over past actions and trauma (Strong Content)
  • replies: 6

Hi everyone, I was very hesitant to post anything here because even the idea of discussing my problems is giving me anxiety. I have been suffering severe anxiety for several months (I have had anxiety and depression for most of my life) including anx... View more

Hi everyone, I was very hesitant to post anything here because even the idea of discussing my problems is giving me anxiety. I have been suffering severe anxiety for several months (I have had anxiety and depression for most of my life) including anxiety attacks and strong, intrusive thoughts. I was bullied for most of high school and in year 9 when I was pushed by one of these bullies I snapped and assaulted him with a weapon. Afterwards I was sent from the police station to mental health suicide watch for 3 days. I have been able to move on with my life more or less but my anxiety over the event has resurfaced recently. I was sentenced to probation and counselling but I could never reconcile the event or how I really feel about what happened. I wish I could of sworn at him or stood up for myself, anything other than attacking him. I have anxiety about thinking about how I SHOULD think about the incident. The event was mentioned in the local paper and a news article is still online. I have intrusive thoughts and compulsions about reading the article or otherwise searching for information about the event. I tell myself that I shouldnt feed my compulsion but another part tells me I should read it. Which gives me more anxiety. I have suffered with anxiety, depression, autism and suicide attempts my entire life. In a perfect world I would like to seek treatment, but I have had bad experiences with useless psychologist and medication that has given me side affects. I have no support network, my father is suffering bad PTSD and my mother has anxiety, I feel like telling them about my problems will only exacerbate theirs, and that's the last thing they need. Thank You for reading, I hope that any answers given in this page could also help others.

Sienna18 Debilitating health anxiety
  • replies: 2

Does anyone else experience debilitating physical symptoms of anxiety? One night I ended up in the hospital due to constant heart palpitations and tachycardia. I had bloods and numerous ECGs done and was told it must just be anxiety since nothing cam... View more

Does anyone else experience debilitating physical symptoms of anxiety? One night I ended up in the hospital due to constant heart palpitations and tachycardia. I had bloods and numerous ECGs done and was told it must just be anxiety since nothing came back. But I can't shake the feeling that something is seriously wrong. I get intense palpitations where it feels like my heart stops and restarts over and over again. This sends me into a panic and my heart races, I feel sick, I tremble and just can't calm down. The fear of getting heart palpitations and the associated panic has meant that I literally can't focus on anything else besides how I'm feeling. I don't even like to go for a 10 minute walk because as soon as I feel my heart rate increasing, I freak out. I can't sleep, I can't study, I can't do anything. At night especially I get this really weird sensation in my stomach, that feels like its full of air/ churning like I'm hungry even though I'm not. It makes it feel like its difficult to breathe and it makes my heart beat more obvious. All I want to do is sleep and I can't even do that. I am seeing a psychologist and I have gone back to the Drs numerous times because I'm not convinced something isn't wrong. I'm getting more blood work, another ECG, and am going to see a cardiologist hopefully for peace of mind. This is controlling my life and I don't know how to go on.

KittyCat17 Pregnant and Anxiety through the roof
  • replies: 4

Hello all, I havent been on here for a couple of years now. I suffered quite bad GAD for around 2 years and thankfully through different techniques- seeing a psychologist and getting into healthier lifestyle patterns I managed to get pretty on top of... View more

Hello all, I havent been on here for a couple of years now. I suffered quite bad GAD for around 2 years and thankfully through different techniques- seeing a psychologist and getting into healthier lifestyle patterns I managed to get pretty on top of it for the last couple of years. However, I recently found out I am pregnant and my anxiety has come back in FULL FORCE. This was a planned pregnancy but it happened a lot quicker than I thought it would. I am very grateful we have had no issues but I just cant believe how bad my anxiety has spiked since finding out. I have Emetophobia (fear of vomit) and I always knew there would be the chance of morning sickness but in my naïve self thought "ah I will deal with it when it comes". Now I am pregnant its an ALL consuming thought day in day out. I am halfway through 6 weeks - which is meant to be the week morning sickness starts and, although I havent really felt nauseous, I cannot stop thinking about it. I have also been really tired, which I know is a normal symptom, but again can't help this making me feel anxious as well! I am constantly on edge, my body is shaking every time I try to relax and my thoughts are all consuming. I keep googling numerous things online, which I know is bad, and that also has made things worse. I have been breaking down the last few nights thinking things like "maybe I shouldn't of done this" or "I am not ready for this but I can't get out of it now". This is all to do with control and its made me realize the way I dealt with my anxiety a couple of years ago was probably a form of taking control of my life and now its come back to bite me as I feel totally out of control now and its reared its ugly head again. I just wondered if anyone else had these feelings during pregnancy and what you did to overcome them? I keep thinking oh hopefully this will pass when I get into the second trimester, but thats not for another 6 weeks and I do not know how I will cope day in day out when I can barely function and its only been a week! At work its the worst because no one knows and I just dont want to talk to anyone. Then on the weekend I just want to hide away at home and not leave the house but I also know this isnt healthy

Zoley Does anyone else have Intuitive thoughts that seem to take over everything?
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone, this is my first post on here. Ive been struggling with anxiety for about 8 months. It had gotten to the point where it was affecting every part of my life, I couldn’t control my brain and it felt like anxiety was controlling my life. I ... View more

Hi everyone, this is my first post on here. Ive been struggling with anxiety for about 8 months. It had gotten to the point where it was affecting every part of my life, I couldn’t control my brain and it felt like anxiety was controlling my life. I needed help so I started therapy about 6 months ago and started taking medication around 3 months ago. I’m still struggling and lately it’s most days I feel like anxiety is winning, not me. ive tried all the breathing techniques, I’ve even tried yoga and am currently trying to be motor physically active because I really used to enjoy that. does anyone have any tips to help control anxiety? Any help would be appreciated. I guess it helps to know that I’m not alone

Guest_245 Thoughts on Corona Pandemic VS Social Anxiety
  • replies: 1

My Pandemic VS Social Anxiety Opinion I will be honest that during the corona virus pandemic it has really shown me that isolating at home hasn't bothered me because before this, I have always been a home body and I have made no effort before this pa... View more

My Pandemic VS Social Anxiety Opinion I will be honest that during the corona virus pandemic it has really shown me that isolating at home hasn't bothered me because before this, I have always been a home body and I have made no effort before this pandemic to socialise with people for my own lifestyle due to, what I now believe is because of social anxiety, and the mask wearing has been surprisingly comfortable to talk with as it disguises any embarrassment or awkwardness I would feel. Now, this just means that when restrictions ease again I feel I have alot of work ahead of me to try and open myself up to social opportunities with others. By this I mean to hopefully be willing to chat about peoples days and get to know them on a more personal life basis. What do you guys think on the mask wearing and isolation restrictions in 2020?

Soraya_A GAD/Chronophobia
  • replies: 1

Hi, I'm a healthy 18 year old female isolated at home 24/7 who is currently experiencing severe anxiety and fear about the future and passing of time. It started 4 months ago, i don't know what triggered it. All i think about is the time and negative... View more

Hi, I'm a healthy 18 year old female isolated at home 24/7 who is currently experiencing severe anxiety and fear about the future and passing of time. It started 4 months ago, i don't know what triggered it. All i think about is the time and negative outcomes for the future. It's taking over my life I feel completely drained. Would like to hear similar experiences and any advice given to overcome this phobia of time.

quince Eating woes
  • replies: 38

Hey everyone, Just wondering if anyone has some ideas or suggestions to help me out. I'm a 30 year old woman, currently staying with my parents while I'm stuck here during the pandemic. Since the start of the year I've fallen back into old eating dis... View more

Hey everyone, Just wondering if anyone has some ideas or suggestions to help me out. I'm a 30 year old woman, currently staying with my parents while I'm stuck here during the pandemic. Since the start of the year I've fallen back into old eating disorder patterns. I've been well for the past 8 years, though admittedly the past 2 years have been up and down with restricting. I'm on a mental health care plan for depression, and have been working through things a bit with my psychologist, however a couple of weeks ago we decided it was best to get my GP involved as things haven't been improving. I saw my GP, and he wanted me to make a commitment to stop purging (such a shitty behaviour that I hate), and to make a partial disclosure about the issues I have with eating, so that I don't have to 'put on a show' in front of my parents that I am eating normally. So basically, I am seeing my GP again on Friday, and I have managed to achieve neither of these things I committed to. I am worried about what he will say/do next, and also just feeling really physically exhausted and tired of everything. Does anyone have any suggestions for how to talk to family about eating issues without feeling like you're a massive disappointment to them? Or just general words or reassurance? x quince

NicoleWatts New here and wanting some help/advice
  • replies: 3

Hello. Im 26 and ive been having anxiety/derpession/adandoment issues for a few years now. Its hurting my relationship. I feel like im always letting my hisband And children down on a constant basis. Some days ill let the housework go And the house w... View more

Hello. Im 26 and ive been having anxiety/derpession/adandoment issues for a few years now. Its hurting my relationship. I feel like im always letting my hisband And children down on a constant basis. Some days ill let the housework go And the house will be messy. I loose my cool and get aggitated easily. I dont like being touched. I just need help or even need to talk to someone. Please