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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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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.

Whatsinaname I can't be alone
  • replies: 1

Hi, I hope everyone is well, I'm in rural victoria so heading into lock down again. I've been working from home since march, in the office on and off. I always thought it would be great to work from home but turns out if I'm alone to much my anxiety ... View more

Hi, I hope everyone is well, I'm in rural victoria so heading into lock down again. I've been working from home since march, in the office on and off. I always thought it would be great to work from home but turns out if I'm alone to much my anxiety sneaks up on me. I have a bad habit of ruminating and distractions are what stops me. If I'm alone there is nothing stopping me. The idea of being locked down from seeing my parents and even my inlaws is terrifying. I'm lucky, I'm allowed to work from my parents house, due to my anxiety. But it does make me.wonder, how happy can I ever be if I cant be alone?

Alfie11 Waking up with anxiety
  • replies: 3

Hi im new to this forum been struggling with anxiety for a few years now didnt realy know what it was for the first few years. I finally went to my gp to get help today after another 16hour long attack yesterday that put me in the emergency room. I r... View more

Hi im new to this forum been struggling with anxiety for a few years now didnt realy know what it was for the first few years. I finally went to my gp to get help today after another 16hour long attack yesterday that put me in the emergency room. I really need help to try and manage this i tried for a long time to do it by myself but anxiety won that battle and has been winning for a while now i need my life back.

SwansandSharksMan Irrational Fear of Loud Noises
  • replies: 1

I have a fear that has troubled me all of my life. It is a fear of sudden loud noises. In particular, balloons popping and fireworks. For some reason, the sounds cause a reaction in my body and it gives me a really bad feeling. It can make me jump an... View more

I have a fear that has troubled me all of my life. It is a fear of sudden loud noises. In particular, balloons popping and fireworks. For some reason, the sounds cause a reaction in my body and it gives me a really bad feeling. It can make me jump and in often a reflex action I will put my hands to my ears. It means that if I go somewhere like a childrens’ party, I am very on edge about balloons popping. I will often hide away or disappear because I am so troubled with my fear. I have often avoided social situations if I knew there were balloons or fireworks. I would often hide away in toilets or other areas to avoid. I used to be really bad when I was young. I was scared of thunder storms. Even the small popping sound a Christmas cracker would make scared me. I am ok with this sound now, but when I was young, I would block my ears when the family was pulling the crackers. One year at Christmas, my parents were extremely nasty. I was putting my fingers over my ears as the crackers were being pulled because I hated the noise. It was like a loud bang to me. My parents were wanting me to not put my fingers over my ears and telling me not to do it. I got very scared and had to go in the other room. I was frightened of both the sound and my parents being angry at me. The next thing I remember is my mum and dad both coming towards me and hitting me at the same time. It was like I was being gang beaten. Then followed big arguments between my grandparents and my parents over the treatment of me. Then I was accused of ruining Christmas. Then my mum wasn’t talking to me. I am ok with Christmas crackers and thunder now, but back then I was really frightened. Can anyone relate to this?

Whatsinaname Skeletons
  • replies: 8

Hi everyone, I am going through a pretty rough time at the moment. Had a panic attack on sunday after a movie triggered a memory of something I regret. Just wondering if anyone is haunted by skeletons that are well over a decade ago? And if so does a... View more

Hi everyone, I am going through a pretty rough time at the moment. Had a panic attack on sunday after a movie triggered a memory of something I regret. Just wondering if anyone is haunted by skeletons that are well over a decade ago? And if so does anyone have any tips of loosening their grip on you? Thanks as always

Beaniegirl Anxiety makes me doubt my relationship
  • replies: 2

I've been with my boyfriend for 8 years and he is my best friend, I can't imagine a future with anyone but him. We have had some difficulties in our relationship in the last few years and while I feel that we are past that now, my anxiety is causing ... View more

I've been with my boyfriend for 8 years and he is my best friend, I can't imagine a future with anyone but him. We have had some difficulties in our relationship in the last few years and while I feel that we are past that now, my anxiety is causing me to question our relationship, doubt how he feels about me and worry that we aren't going to last. Logically I know that these thoughts are my anxiety speaking and not my true thoughts, as I don't think this way when I'm not feeling anxious. However, I'm worried about the effect this could have on my relationship, as my boyfriend is quite sensitive emotionally and he can take on my negative feelings when I'm anxious and feel sad himself. This makes me feel like a burden to him and worry that one day he will feel that it's too hard to deal with me and my issues and leave me. I've talked to him about these fears and he assures me that this will not happen but I'm so scared. I also worry that friends and family I've spoken to about this just think that our relationship is the cause of these feelings and that I should leave, but I absolutely do not want to do that. I've started speaking to a counsellor and really hope I can learn how to manage my anxiety, as I don't want it to ruin my relationship. I want my relationship to go back to being my safe, happy place where I don't overthink and misinterpret every little thing as a sign that my boyfriend is going to leave me. I want to trust in the love we have for each other and ignore those horrible thoughts in my head.

MarkBt Anxiety turning to Anger
  • replies: 13

I suffer from health anxiety and was extremely anxious when all of the COVID-19 cases were occurring in March. Unfortunately, I live in Melbourne and I guess you can see where this is going now.. Like many others, I went into lockdown with a sense of... View more

I suffer from health anxiety and was extremely anxious when all of the COVID-19 cases were occurring in March. Unfortunately, I live in Melbourne and I guess you can see where this is going now.. Like many others, I went into lockdown with a sense of hope that we could beat the virus and the vast majority were on board. When things were looking better my anxiety began to ease and I was functioning kind of normally. Now with the recent jump in cases, the anxiety is back but with a new twist. I am really, really angry and starting to take it out on others. Like many Melbournians I am furious there has been a complete and blatant disregard for others' health by it seems a not insignificant part of the community. I generally avoid conflict which can also be a problem, but lately if I see someone do something stupid I get really angry and actively have a go at them. I know the anger stems from the anxiety and the fact that I want to feel safe again. However, I don't see others are on board and I'm acting out. I'm getting also frustrated at what I see as dithering by the Authorities here. Anyway, enough of the personal view i'm struggling and becoming angry not sure what to do with the anger

CGreen Feeling Panicky
  • replies: 1

I’ve recently started a new job and I have walk to work every morning as I don’t have a license. It’s only 10mins walk. But, lately my anxiety has been crazy! I got panicky one day walking and my heart started beating fast. But as soon as I started t... View more

I’ve recently started a new job and I have walk to work every morning as I don’t have a license. It’s only 10mins walk. But, lately my anxiety has been crazy! I got panicky one day walking and my heart started beating fast. But as soon as I started talking to my dad on the phone I was fine. Now, I am too scared to attempt walking to work again in case it happens again. Does anyone have any tips for me that has experienced similar to try and help me relax and just enjoy the walk? Thanks