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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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Jillian_T Fear of having depression
  • replies: 4

Hi this is my first time doing anything like this. so. So my fear was and still is having depression. I know its really stupid but I can't help it. It all started when my cousin told my mum I had depression, luckily my mum isn't stupid and she asked ... View more

Hi this is my first time doing anything like this. so. So my fear was and still is having depression. I know its really stupid but I can't help it. It all started when my cousin told my mum I had depression, luckily my mum isn't stupid and she asked me if I did. I said no. But now I've been thinking about it more and more, my anxiety doesn't help, and I have recently been searching how to know if you have depression and its scaring me because I don't have the strength or courage to ask my mum for help. I don't understand why I'm so worried, I used to been in control of my anxiety but now this topic is starting to bring it back. I don't understand and I'm seeking help.

wiwolf Going Out With Social Anxiety
  • replies: 9

I'm trying to get out more to help my depression. For example I joined a gym, and it gives me free access to a pool. I'm excited about that, but in my mind I have no idea how I can do that. I can't fathom how I alone could go and swim in a pool. Or l... View more

I'm trying to get out more to help my depression. For example I joined a gym, and it gives me free access to a pool. I'm excited about that, but in my mind I have no idea how I can do that. I can't fathom how I alone could go and swim in a pool. Or like, do laps? Do I get in, swim a certain number of laps and then just get out? How do I not look creepy?

Bennyboy10 digestive issues due to SSRI
  • replies: 1

Hi Everyone just wanted to know if anyone has experienced stomach issues while on an SSRI? I have been on them for about a year and suffered really bad with stomach pains and Diarhea. Problem is im not sure if its my anxiety or the medication that is... View more

Hi Everyone just wanted to know if anyone has experienced stomach issues while on an SSRI? I have been on them for about a year and suffered really bad with stomach pains and Diarhea. Problem is im not sure if its my anxiety or the medication that is causing this. And it just becomes a vicious cycle as i suffer with anxiety about my health.

Felixblack Muscle twitching, bizarre soreness, tingling hands and feet
  • replies: 10

Hi all I'm new to this forum and just reaching out to see if anyone out there has or is experiencing muscle twitching all over, strange muscle fatigue and soreness particularly in calves and forearms that cannot be explained, tingling/pins and needle... View more

Hi all I'm new to this forum and just reaching out to see if anyone out there has or is experiencing muscle twitching all over, strange muscle fatigue and soreness particularly in calves and forearms that cannot be explained, tingling/pins and needles in hands and feet...as though there's not enough circulation there.. occasional sharp shooting pains in muscles or possibly nerves. I have had a very stressful past 12 months so I'm hoping these odd new symptoms are anxiety related. I have definitely had the worst health anxiety ever this past year... could these new symptoms be my body's way of telling me I'm in fight or flight? Two doctors do not seem to be concerned. I'm worried about MND or MS or something else and am I am booked to see a neurologist next Monday. I'm trying hard to stay positive but I cannot believe anxiety/stress could cause such blatant physical symptoms. Feeling scared and alone. Hope to hear from someone!

Guest_13432 Odd anxiety symptom
  • replies: 3

I don’t know if anyone can relate and if you do please respond, I kind of get a feeling like Im high on some kind of drugs during my panic attacks, it’s really distressing! thank you.

I don’t know if anyone can relate and if you do please respond, I kind of get a feeling like Im high on some kind of drugs during my panic attacks, it’s really distressing! thank you.

TheBigBlue Understanding Anxiety, is it even possible?
  • replies: 1

It’s been a tough few months, I have been working on my complex trauma & depression & have noticed small improvements. But I feel like my anxiety is getting worse. So my past 2 sessions with the psychologist have been focused on that. My psychiatrist... View more

It’s been a tough few months, I have been working on my complex trauma & depression & have noticed small improvements. But I feel like my anxiety is getting worse. So my past 2 sessions with the psychologist have been focused on that. My psychiatrist also prescribed a new anti-anxiety med but I’m yet to notice any effect as yet (it’s only been 6 days use so far). Anyway, I am truly mystified by my behaviour with the psychologist. I was telling her about the time I was at a party & was too scared to ask for a spoon. It’s sounds incredibly ridiculous, but that’s what happened. I decided not to eat my slice of cake because I was too scared to ask for a spoon! So the psychologist said let’s practise now. I had to pretend to hold the cake & ask for a spoon. There was no one around except her & I. And I felt so embarrassed & humiliated I couldn’t bring myself to do it. And I burst into tears. A week later I’m still mystified why I found this so difficult???? Today my anxiety was elevated after just talking to the psychologist about my breathing. She wanted me to do the breathing exercises we had practised last week. But I would not do it until she looked away. I just couldn’t stand to be watched while I “breathed”. So she had to turn away from me while I did it & she talked me through it. What the h*ll is wrong with me???? Then she asked me to say one thing nice about myself. I couldn’t. I told her this & she kept pushing me. I finally come out with “I guess I’m caring”. She said ok, let’s work with that. And she made me repeat after her numerous times “I am a caring person & that is why people like me”. Over & over. She was waiting for me to say it in an affirmative manner. When I finally did she praised me & said to give myself a pat on the back. But I couldn’t. I wasn’t feeling any achievement, didn’t feel like a deserved a pat on the back. She mentioned that I have some very negative core beliefs (we’ve been through all that previously) but as it turns out, It seems I can’t accept praise from others or even praise myself without feeling awkward, embarrassed, humiliated. i don’t understand why feel this way? Why is anxiety so hard to live with & understand? why do I do the things I do? does anyone else find their daily lives messed up because of anxiety or missed opportunities because your anxiety? Or am I the only sad soul out there who doesn’t fit into this world?

Guest_13432 Fear of losing touch with reality
  • replies: 5

Hi everyone, this is my first time doing this and I’m terrified but here goes. one night I got spiked with MDMA by people I knew, I have had history with anxiety, it didn’t affect me that bad but I felt a lot of anger with the people who did it, fast... View more

Hi everyone, this is my first time doing this and I’m terrified but here goes. one night I got spiked with MDMA by people I knew, I have had history with anxiety, it didn’t affect me that bad but I felt a lot of anger with the people who did it, fast forwards 2 months I went out with the same people, they were talking about taking MDMA and a few minutes later I was convinced I got spiked again, I had someone I could trust with me and they took me out of the situation and tried to convince me I wasn’t spiked but I wasn’t having it, it felt so real and was convinced something was wrong.. after that night my anxiety has been so bad, where do I begin.. firstly I am convinced that I am developing schizophrenia because after that night I have been so paranoid.. I always have panic attacks that I have been spiked again, I can’t drink from bottles, I don’t trust anyone and always think they have alternative motives, during this time of my life my then girlfriend had left me and literally attacked me, I couldn’t believe who she had become which made me even more paranoid, I can’t go out on a date without some type or paranoid thinking, it’s causing me panic attack after panic attack.. I have so much on my mind so I apologise if I’m not making complete sense, to go back to what I was saying about the night I thought I got spiked, I was conviced I actually got spiked for a while but realised when I had a similar panic attack that I didn’t, but I’m still very paranoid about everyone and question everyone’s motives, I’m scared that these are the first signs of schizophrenia and I’m developing it, I’m terrified can someone please help, thank you.

Andre_P Anxiety and Psychosomatic symptoms
  • replies: 18

Haven’t been on here in awhile. This has been the hardest year I’ve ever had - EVER. I’ve been looking for a new rental for the past 8 weeks solid. Put it this way, if I were to get paid for the effort I’ve put in id have about $3000 of extra money i... View more

Haven’t been on here in awhile. This has been the hardest year I’ve ever had - EVER. I’ve been looking for a new rental for the past 8 weeks solid. Put it this way, if I were to get paid for the effort I’ve put in id have about $3000 of extra money in my pocket. I don’t even know where to start. I’ve got to get out of this place. Can’t stand living with dad. Not only does he not support me or is unable to, he actually annoys me and further fuels my anxiety/ocd/panic. My anxiety is affecting my OAB and is creating very real symptoms. The rental market has gone completely mental and there must be up to 12-20 applicants per house. I have looked at 500 homes online, 60 - 70 in person and applied for up to 14 homes. My record is immaculate but it’s a numbers game and people don’t like pets. while I’m anxious I’m also quite frustrated that someone won’t give me a go. I’m starting to really dislike people and I’m just pissed off I can’t get out of this place no matter how hard I try. I just need a break. Mums trapped in QLD n I’m trapped here in WA. I’m trying to organise a house for mum n I. The covid19 was the worst thing to happen to this economy and people’s attitude and perception in general. I need a house the most but I’m getting the least acknowledgment. I gotta be honest I can maybe go on like this for another month. I’m seeing my psychologist and he’s good but yep I give it a month before I completely lose the plot. To be honest I’m soo tired at looking for homes it’s ridiculous. I suffer with ocd so doing something over and over is something I actively try and avoid to be normal. Looking for rentals for 8 weeks solid makes me feel very distraught to say the least. anyway...

Andrew22 Health Anxiety
  • replies: 2

Hello, I’ve had health anxiety for some time now. About 3 weeks ago I was really convinced I had Brain cancer as I was getting really bad headaches and tingly feeling in legs had a mri and everything was fine. Now because I still have a tingly feelin... View more

Hello, I’ve had health anxiety for some time now. About 3 weeks ago I was really convinced I had Brain cancer as I was getting really bad headaches and tingly feeling in legs had a mri and everything was fine. Now because I still have a tingly feeling and now my muscles ache a lot I’ve convinced myself I have ALS. Recently my throat has been really tight and feeling of something is in it. I just feel really depressed and not motivated right now and have convinced myself that I have this rare disease. Can anyone help me?

Sam42 What can a Psychologist really do for you?
  • replies: 4

Hey Guys, I've have been struggling with debilitating anxiety for a while and had a few bouts of depression as well. I've posted on here before and the support has been great. I was hoping to ask for some more advice as it's been almost a year since ... View more

Hey Guys, I've have been struggling with debilitating anxiety for a while and had a few bouts of depression as well. I've posted on here before and the support has been great. I was hoping to ask for some more advice as it's been almost a year since then. I have been to see my GP a few times and I've seen a psychologist once (Until COVID happened and I haven't been able to go back). Currently, they have opened back up and before I talked myself out of it again, I book another appt for late August. My anxiety has gotten to a point where it's affecting my everyday life and ability to live (for a while now if I'm honest) and I feel as though I stuck in a sort of limbo in wanting to move forward, but not being able to on my own. Recently, I've had to open up to my parents which has been difficult but necessary. My mum has been trying to occupy my time, get me moving rather than dwelling and trying to provide some purpose, which has been good. But I feel like I've just gone as far as I can with just that, and I'm still not able to move forward in my life. I'm on a leave of absence from uni as it was getting to be too much for me. the deadline is running out on this and I don't know if it would be the right decision to return or not or even to try a new path. It was taking a significant toll on my mental health and I was becoming incredibly frustrated and disappointed in myself - I struggled to concentrate, focus and retain information. Also, myself self-discipline and motivation were almost nonexistent - only the pressure of deadlines was enough to get me to get any work done. So, my question is what can a Psychologist really (and practically) do for you? I really just wish and need to get myself back to a point where even if I am still struggling with my anxiety and can manage most aspects of day-to-day adult life. Also, if any of you guys with similar issues may have some advice on how to cope and manage to work or study (especially from home) any advice would be appreciated. It is incredibly difficult and disheartening to struggle with every small thing and to work and study so hard only to come out the other side feeling as though you remember nothing. Thank you all in advance.