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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. 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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New_Experiment Catastrophic thinking - I always go to worst case scenario
  • replies: 1

Hi, I am increasingly becoming aware that any random fact about a disease or any heart condition that I read anywhere takes me to vivid imaginations of my family members suffering it and dying from it and where I am not there to help or see them cons... View more

Hi, I am increasingly becoming aware that any random fact about a disease or any heart condition that I read anywhere takes me to vivid imaginations of my family members suffering it and dying from it and where I am not there to help or see them considering I live in another country (can't travel due to covid) and it brings me to tears and makes me want to call up and check on them despite the time difference (they are usually sleeping). I haven't actually called them up to check on them during such thoughts, but I am usually super eager to talk to them in the next most convenient time. I am just looking for a way to manage this cascading thought process because it feels very scary. If anyone else has this, how do you manage it?

Green grass Social pranking scares me, so I stay home.
  • replies: 3

I am not a fan of social pranking that takes place to total strangers. I’ve seen on social media where women have a blanket thrown over them while shopping and other situations where women are the target of being frightened. I mainly live with anxiet... View more

I am not a fan of social pranking that takes place to total strangers. I’ve seen on social media where women have a blanket thrown over them while shopping and other situations where women are the target of being frightened. I mainly live with anxiety and PTSD. I have nightmares regularly and avoid going out as I have been hassled many times because of my sexuality and how I dress. So I don’t want to go out and now be more frightened of pranks. Are there Others who are worried by these pranksters who target women. thanks

Tori_L Grades Impacting Mental Health
  • replies: 10

I don’t even know if anxiety is the best place to put this but I am diagnosed with anxiety and depression. Compared to last semester, where my grades were still good in the D, HD area. This semester I’m most likely floating in Credits and would count... View more

I don’t even know if anxiety is the best place to put this but I am diagnosed with anxiety and depression. Compared to last semester, where my grades were still good in the D, HD area. This semester I’m most likely floating in Credits and would count myself lucky to get a Distinction. I know it’s not necessarily bad but I pride myself on my grades and the fact that not only will my grades be lower but this is my final semester of Uni. So these will be my last grades and instead of going out with a bang I’m leaving a flop. I’ve been quite upset about this for a bit but tonight I went over the edge. I got marks back for a 2 question multiple choice quiz and didn’t get either correct!! This has impacted my marks now to a point that if I get a 70 in my final (which is the grade I seem to be averaging) I would be 2% away from getting a distinction for my overall grade. I cried hard for 40mins and still am trying to catch my breath. I’m just so scared of looking mediocre even though a) I know I’ll still pass and b) my parents are still happy with that. but for myself!? I can’t accept it, I congratulate other people on their grades but if I was to receive something similar Id want to vomit and I’d absolutely hate myself. I’m rambling now but yeah, I just feel worthless and disappointed.

junyu I just want to know why
  • replies: 5

Hi, my name is Jun, I'm one of those sensitive type. Sometimes I feel so alone cause I see and feel a lot, but no one really understands how I'm feeling and why I'm feeling this way. sometime when I'm alone by myself I would have some panic attacks a... View more

Hi, my name is Jun, I'm one of those sensitive type. Sometimes I feel so alone cause I see and feel a lot, but no one really understands how I'm feeling and why I'm feeling this way. sometime when I'm alone by myself I would have some panic attacks and when I'm around people I feel like I'm being someone else. Ami going crazy ?

T_93 Advise with work anxiety
  • replies: 4

Hi there, im not really sure what to do. I don’t want to worry my family anymore as they know I have battled with anxiety and really bad depression in the past and feel as though I need to work it out on my own. i just started a new job in customer s... View more

Hi there, im not really sure what to do. I don’t want to worry my family anymore as they know I have battled with anxiety and really bad depression in the past and feel as though I need to work it out on my own. i just started a new job in customer service, and it is making me feel sick to my stomach...I get so scared I’m going to get into trouble or something bad will happen plus I think I hate dealing with people and how rude they can be. My anxiety is almost getting the better of me but I’m trying to fight it and remain as calm as I can possibly be! Iv started waking up weird hours of the night thinking about the new job and all I am thinking about is the job but then my thoughts start to escalate and I think about a whole bunch of other things and bad things that I have gone through and tell myself I am failing and I’m not good enough....Iv been told I put pressure on myself and I believe that I do a little bit. however, I just hate feeling this way because there are so many people out there that have much worse problems and I feel I am being selfish and not grateful for the blessing I have in my life. I am gay and my family are so supportive and incredible and same with my friends. I’m just not sure what to do and wonder if anyone has any advise. thank you for whoever is reading this and sorry for the rant! T.

Xanner Frustration with the received wisdom
  • replies: 6

I started suffering from anxiety in 2002. I was hospitalised for nearly a month. Treatment with a certain medication was effective, and I was eventually able to reduce the dosage substantially, but never to zero without a return of some symptoms and ... View more

I started suffering from anxiety in 2002. I was hospitalised for nearly a month. Treatment with a certain medication was effective, and I was eventually able to reduce the dosage substantially, but never to zero without a return of some symptoms and disrupted sleep. Then in 2014, the TGA decided that this drug was too prone to misuse and made it a schedule 8 drug, with the net result that it was no longer available to me, so I had to stop taking it, which I did over the space of a few weeks. (This drug is meant to be highly addictive). I returned to my pre-medication disturbed sleep pattern, but was largely free of the other anxiety symptoms. Until now. There's no apparent external cause of my anxiety. I'm not fixated on anything. I'm not under stress (unless you count the anxiety symptoms). I just have a feeling of shakiness, some tingling in the fingers, muscle aches (from being constantly tense) and at times feel so light headed with pounding heart that I have to stop and wait for it to subside. I also have a hair-trigger sensitivity to any momentary stressor, such as the phone ringing, or someone knocking at the door. None of these things cause me any fear any more, because I know what they are, but they are still disruptive. So why is the received wisdom that I have something wrong with my thinking, such that cognitive behavioural therapy would help (been there, done that). Or lifestyle? Or diet? Why can it not be that my body has simply got its chemical levels wrong, and requires pharmacological correction? Why can I not have the medication that worked for over a decade? Why does any prolonged use have to be associated with judgemental words like "addiction", "dependence". I don't see diabetics been told to suck it up, and deal with it. They get the insulin they need, and no one ever suggests that they shouldn't take it for too long, or that they need to wean themselves off it.

Lone My day with my best friend anxiety
  • replies: 4

So I woke up today and took my child to school, i then had a coffee and went back to bed, I then did some work on the computer because even when I have a day off I can't stop thinking about work, I was yet to eat anything for the day because I was to... View more

So I woke up today and took my child to school, i then had a coffee and went back to bed, I then did some work on the computer because even when I have a day off I can't stop thinking about work, I was yet to eat anything for the day because I was too anxious, I managed to eat something now but it is 330 and I am lying in bed still yet to brush my teeth or comb my hair, I just don't have the energy, I feel really guilty and sad that I have not done more, I live on my own

Mr_Jesse When Google confuses more than helps understanding Anxiety
  • replies: 5

Hi everyone. I am a pretty healthy and active 59 year old. Life is pretty bloody good. Great kids and grand kids. Amazing wife and a business that has actually grown during covid. My only whinge is I didn't get to spend my 60th in Santorini as planne... View more

Hi everyone. I am a pretty healthy and active 59 year old. Life is pretty bloody good. Great kids and grand kids. Amazing wife and a business that has actually grown during covid. My only whinge is I didn't get to spend my 60th in Santorini as planned. A few weeks ago I had a massive panic attack from no where as I put my head down on my pillow to go to sleep. Everything before hand seemed fine. I had only felt this sensation once in my life previously and that's when I had an MRI after suffering transient global amnesia. Jumped out of bed and the feeling was very 'off'. Was then crook in the tummy. I thought this must have been the issue. Bad fish or something. It happened 3 nights in a row. All good during the day and evening but when head went to pillow my world caved in on me. Now during the day I was feeling off. Anxious? Just not right, Can't sleep. Go to Docs. My doc away so see random Doc. I hadn't had a drink for 24 hours so he said alcohol withdrawal and prescribed medication. I read up on this stuff as my brother had suicided whilst taking medication. I was struggling and really not right, Still functioning but 50% not right if you know what I mean. Go to hospital. They have previous CT scan and part MRI and said all good. I have have adrenal gland tests (24 hour urine) etc. Tried for a CT scan and had another panic attack. My doc back and puts me on lorazepam. They work a treat but I am scared of addiction so play with 1/4 tablets etc. I have had numbness left side of neck for several years, comes and goes. End up with bone scans showing inflammation c3 c4 Cervical facet. Trying to get an appointment for Pain Science or Pain West is a huge wait. Asked for at least Radiology to do a cortisone. I guess I am hanging on to hope that something will take this shit feeling away apart from benzodiazepines. That is booked for 26th but going to knock on their door tomorrow to see if any cancellations. My wife just wants her husband back. Can a compressed nerve really bring this on? Google doesn't help with this simple question. Can a compressed or damaged cervical nerve send messages that the brain turns into anxiety or variations of? Sleep now with out medication is not possible and even with this aid it is hit and miss. I guess I am really just throwing this out there. Maybe some one can offer something but if not I will update my progress in the hope that it may help someone else some day. This is at least therapeutic by typing it.

rb26 Just a lil rough patch
  • replies: 8

I just wanted to open up about how I’ve feeling but I had no idea where to go. I’ve never fully talked to anyone about how I feel. When I’ve tried to people don’t seem to understand or I feel so damn judged. For example, I tried to open up to my real... View more

I just wanted to open up about how I’ve feeling but I had no idea where to go. I’ve never fully talked to anyone about how I feel. When I’ve tried to people don’t seem to understand or I feel so damn judged. For example, I tried to open up to my really boyfriend but he decided he was entitled to tell all my other friends, proceeded to create a group chat after which I had a confrontation by two friends. So Ive convinced myself for the past few years that I am ok or whatever I’m feeling isn’t internalised, just a rough patch. Recently I’ve been feeling so run down and upset, I don’t know why. School is tough but that doesn’t account for why I just start crying or feeling insecure all of a sudden. I have always had an overthinking issue but it’s been taking over all my thoughts these past few months. Sometimes I genuinely just hate myself and feel like I have no purpose in life which scares the crap out of me. I constantly get annoyed or frustrated at the most small things. I’ve held a lot in and been secretive, like coming out to my parents, my boyfriend which my parents don’t know about, my own insecurities- why I’ve been eating less. I genuinely just feel tired of life and I’m only 16... this all feels a little silly and scary since I’m not used to opening up but thank god it’s anonymous

genny12345 Health anxiety
  • replies: 2

Hey, I guess I’m just posting this for peace of mind I am 21 years old in the midst of a University Degree, I’ve been diagnosed with anxiety since I was 11, and in particular I often struggle with severe health anxiety recently I’ve seen lots of ads ... View more

Hey, I guess I’m just posting this for peace of mind I am 21 years old in the midst of a University Degree, I’ve been diagnosed with anxiety since I was 11, and in particular I often struggle with severe health anxiety recently I’ve seen lots of ads about brain tumours and brain cancers that I’ve totally Convinced myself I have a brain tumour. I get all the physical symptoms (headaches, blurry vision, pressure, etc) and I panic daily about this to the point I’m scared to leave the house, I haven’t been to a doctor yet but I am so scared of what he will say, and more so if this is really what I am dreading This has been happening for about a week or 2 I just feel like there’s pressure on my head constantly and my eyes feel like they can’t focus all the time, and there’s ringing in my ears but my mum thinks it’s either fluid in my ear or sinus issues from a recent bad cold I have had in the last Month ... again I am in a panicked state right now but I just was hoping someone has experienced similar and could maybe give me a peace of mind... can anxiety cause such physical feelings? I am so terrified, please help