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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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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

OptimisticQuail Up & Down like a Yo Yo
  • replies: 5

Hello All. Haven't been back to these forums for close to a year after battling significantly, but importantly with help and support making it through. Massive thanks to a few on these forums for wise words. That said, i had a very ordinary week last... View more

Hello All. Haven't been back to these forums for close to a year after battling significantly, but importantly with help and support making it through. Massive thanks to a few on these forums for wise words. That said, i had a very ordinary week last week (went through possible triggers with my Psychologist) but couldn't decifer what was different. Question - after feeling moderately good for a while (few months) has anyone dipped into low mood, struggling to get out of bed and finding it hard to be happy? I remain on medication, i have good support structures and techniques from my awesome psychologist but the overwhelming feelings and thoughts were not nice and consistent. Cheers.

Zelda_30 Covid, being bullied & death
  • replies: 2

Thank you so much for approving me. I suffer from chronic anxiety and depression. Living in Melbourne atm in iso and am one of the lucky few that have been able to work from home this whole time. I lost my best friend, my kitty in June of this year, ... View more

Thank you so much for approving me. I suffer from chronic anxiety and depression. Living in Melbourne atm in iso and am one of the lucky few that have been able to work from home this whole time. I lost my best friend, my kitty in June of this year, one of my coworkers has been bullying me, even remotely it still happens. And last weekend the partner of a close friend of mine took their own life. Just really struggling with all of that atm and instead of working past couple days I signed out of all work communications and got drunk. Today I woke up at 4am and started drinking again. Probably going to chuck a sickie tomorrow. Sorry if this post isnt allowed I read the rules and Im pretty sure Im not breaking any but sorry if I am. Just needed to reach out to others who get what anxiety and depression feels like ⚘

Elizabeth32 Has anybody experienced feelings of jealousy and anxiety together,
  • replies: 1

Just wanted to reach out to anyone for advice that has experienced jealousy and anxiety altogether. Especially during this pandemic I’ve been feeling lonely and seeing family members in relationships has often made me feel lonely and then I get anxie... View more

Just wanted to reach out to anyone for advice that has experienced jealousy and anxiety altogether. Especially during this pandemic I’ve been feeling lonely and seeing family members in relationships has often made me feel lonely and then I get anxiety about never finding a partner and then I get flashbacks of all my bad past experiences with my ex’s. In turn I withdraw from talking to others and keep everything bottled up. Has anyone experienced this? Is it normal? How can I overcome it?

gunnedo Anxiety and decisions
  • replies: 1

Making decisions. i suffer from really bad anxiety that seems to be getting worse atm. If I sit down and write all the things I am anxious about I come up with big and little issues. They all get jumbled in my head and I can’t think straight. Writing... View more

Making decisions. i suffer from really bad anxiety that seems to be getting worse atm. If I sit down and write all the things I am anxious about I come up with big and little issues. They all get jumbled in my head and I can’t think straight. Writing them out helps me see what I can do something about and what I can’t. It gets so exhausting to think about doing much at all. Someone said you are stronger than you think, hard to remember that.? I can do things with the anxiety happening but it is so tiring

kristine434 anybody share this experience?
  • replies: 1

Hi everyone Ever since a major change in my life 10 years ago I've adopted a new way of living. I have started to live with chronic hypervigilance but I wouldnt say its from PTSD because I havent really had anything traumatic happen to me. But I have... View more

Hi everyone Ever since a major change in my life 10 years ago I've adopted a new way of living. I have started to live with chronic hypervigilance but I wouldnt say its from PTSD because I havent really had anything traumatic happen to me. But I have read hypervigilance can be caused by extreme anxiety not just PTSD. Ive adopted a jump response when anyone touches me without telling me prior that they will touch me. This is what I believe: as a consequence of living with this chronic hypervigilance I shut down whenever a new pressure is applied or something new comes into my life be it work or study. It makes me crash down in exhaustion like I can't tolerate the extra stress. I then withdrawal from everything and everyone. This has begun to affect my life and is only making my life worse and makes me feel so alone. Has anyone ever experienced something like this?