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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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Kip84 Do I have Anxiety or am I depressed or is it both.
  • replies: 3

Hi, I'm new to this and not sure where I even start, I have never spoke openly about my struggles and just stay in my own head,. It's like I am wearing a daily facade. I'm a man in my 30s and feel like I'm not where I should be. Lately I've been gett... View more

Hi, I'm new to this and not sure where I even start, I have never spoke openly about my struggles and just stay in my own head,. It's like I am wearing a daily facade. I'm a man in my 30s and feel like I'm not where I should be. Lately I've been getting headaches in the back of my head like a pressing feeling. I get headaches but nothing like this, when I'm feeling over whelmed my heart rates kicks up and I get tight feeling in my chest. Is this a panic attack? I'm not even sure where I start, I've done mental health course for my work and find myself trying to treat my self in my mind. I have solutions, but I have barriers. I feel stuck in my position where I am for a certian time frame. How do I start this journey, I don't feel my doctor would be private as at times I feel controlled. I feel I'm being criptic. But I feel this is a start. I'm struggling and don't know where to from here. I need guidance. I'm not ready for professionals yet

Hunter968 Will seeing a therapist affect future job oportunities?
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone, I was hoping to get some advice on whether or not having it on your health record that you've seen a psychologist/psychiatrist would affect future job opportunities? A lot of companies these days have you sit a full medical exam before o... View more

Hi everyone, I was hoping to get some advice on whether or not having it on your health record that you've seen a psychologist/psychiatrist would affect future job opportunities? A lot of companies these days have you sit a full medical exam before offering employment, and this often asks about mental health history. My partner is struggling with anxiety and depression, but is hesitant to seek professional help, as she doesn't want it to affect her chances for future employment opportunities. I would be very grateful if anyone has any information or advice.

unigirl1994 Overwhelmed at new job!
  • replies: 6

I have been working the last 2 years as a medical receptionist for a small business. Recently I decided that I couldn't survive any longer on part time pay and took a new job in the exact same field, just a different company. To say this has put my o... View more

I have been working the last 2 years as a medical receptionist for a small business. Recently I decided that I couldn't survive any longer on part time pay and took a new job in the exact same field, just a different company. To say this has put my old job in perspective is an understatement. My old boss started their business with no prior knowledge of the industry. It is clear that policies and procedures that should legally be put in place, have not been at my old job. Therefore at this new job I am feeling very overwhelmed. They are expecting me to know a lot of these policies and procedures for privacy and billing etc that I've never had to use before, as clearly my old work was doing some things a bit off-book. Also this new company does so many more extra steps and I'm feeling like I'll never remember all this info. I'm slightly regretting the move even though its only my first week and I'm going to be better off money-wise. I know it will feel uncomfortable for a while as I don't really fit in and don't know the work but I'm wondering how long its going to take. I have given myself a coldsore from the stress, and when I get home from work, I can't stop going over what mistakes I may have made that day no matter how minimal it is. All the staff have been lovely and helpful but I just feel so out of sorts and so uncomfortable not knowing my role! My family keep telling me to stop overthinking because I obviously got the job for a reason, and I'm not expected to know everything straight away, but I put a lot of pressure on myself.

Guest_245 Make Up Issue
  • replies: 7

I reckon i am better off just wearing no make up at all since it probably looks weird on my pale, ghostly face anyway and no guy seems to be asking me out anyway

I reckon i am better off just wearing no make up at all since it probably looks weird on my pale, ghostly face anyway and no guy seems to be asking me out anyway

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