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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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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

James1008 What should I do
  • replies: 7

I’m 27 years old I have no education learned nothing in school worked for a year fired due to incompetence no drivers license and I’m scared of mostly everything, I literally haven’t mentally changed at all since I was 12

I’m 27 years old I have no education learned nothing in school worked for a year fired due to incompetence no drivers license and I’m scared of mostly everything, I literally haven’t mentally changed at all since I was 12

idontevenknowanymore Anxiety about bringing up Anxiety and changing job networks
  • replies: 6

i think the last time i posted here was in 2016 when i was going through a very tough time, i posted something brash in a fit of helplessness, since then ive managed to survive but now days i feel my old dreadful self coming back. Long story short iv... View more

i think the last time i posted here was in 2016 when i was going through a very tough time, i posted something brash in a fit of helplessness, since then ive managed to survive but now days i feel my old dreadful self coming back. Long story short ive had depression and anxiety what feels like my whole life , and possiblly even bi polar for as long as i can remember , it honestly feels like i was born with it. Ive been unemployed for over a year and i really think my current situation with my job network is making things worse, they are constantly changing case workers and then i have to explain my entire life story again, they really dont understand how anyone with these illnesses feel, nor do they care, they are so desperate to place me in a workplace that my current case worker has told me to lie about my medical conditions, and i quote her " would you hire someone who admitted they have asthma and admitted they are not fit enough to climb up ladders all day", after i told the interviewer for a roof insulation business that i was not the fit fast individual they were seeking as i had respiratory issues and i am simply not fit enough to do it efficiently , even though i said i was happy to give it a go anyway, i told them i could do other tasks if they wanted, i would make them lunch and drive the car around, bring in supplies, whatever they wanted, but the interviewer said its probably not worth the time to try and he was also actually very happy that i was honest with him about it. A day after the interview my case worker called me back in a fit of rage, her condescending tone is driving me mad, and as i said above she is wanting me to lie just to get a job, either im crazy, or she is a psychopath. i feel like all these job networks hire people with the skill set required being "proficient in Microsoft word", and the workers use the job network to fulfill there fetish of talking down to people who come in. Anyway, im thinking about booking an appointment with my GP to finally bring up my feelings, im hoping there is some thing he can do, or give me that i can give to centerlink and get me to switch to a provider who can deal with people like me, but my anxiety about it is so bad that i dont know how to ask the doctor about it..i want to write it down and give it to him, i dont know if thats appropriate. i would rather die than speak to my current case worker again, but if i miss even 1 phone call of hers she will stop my pay.

FluffyBunny098 Work related Anxiety
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone, this is my first post and first time reaching out to anyone. I'm working a job where occasionally the clientele trigger some of my past traumas and anxiety in relation to my previous relationship where I experienced domestic violence and... View more

Hi everyone, this is my first post and first time reaching out to anyone. I'm working a job where occasionally the clientele trigger some of my past traumas and anxiety in relation to my previous relationship where I experienced domestic violence and emotional and verbal abuse for around 10 or so years. Recently, I have been able to compartmentalize and cope with this area of the job when it arises. My issue currently is constant worry and anxiety related to co-workers behaviours. The working environment amongst staff has become fairly toxic the last several months and I'm struggling more every day to tolerate it. Every part of me wants to walk away from this job and throw in the towel. The affect its having on my mental health is affecting me as a person, as a parent, and as a partner. My fiance is loving and supportive and has not once complained, always been there for me to vent and cry with. But I'm becoming sick of myself. I'm sick of feeling like a half arsed parent and partner because this job is draining every part of my soul. I have to hang in there a while longer for several reasons. I'm wondering if anyone has any tips to help tolerate an impossible workplace full of petty drama.

Lola_Lou Placement
  • replies: 2

Hey guys so currently I’m doing my final placement, but the thing is I have such huge anxiety about going into placement as my last one was horrible and left me with anxiety. I go in then then halfway through placemat I panic and have to go home. I d... View more

Hey guys so currently I’m doing my final placement, but the thing is I have such huge anxiety about going into placement as my last one was horrible and left me with anxiety. I go in then then halfway through placemat I panic and have to go home. I don’t know what to do? Is there coping skills I can use. I am going to talk to my teacher about it tomorrow. But I need to stop myself from calling in sick and leaving early. thanks

Bellay Why can’t anxiety just go away?
  • replies: 5

You know what really ticks me off with this anxiety crap... doctors automatically assuming that my anxiety is causing my abdominal pains. It’s one of the first questions they ask. Sometimes there is a physical issue, sometimes not. This is what cause... View more

You know what really ticks me off with this anxiety crap... doctors automatically assuming that my anxiety is causing my abdominal pains. It’s one of the first questions they ask. Sometimes there is a physical issue, sometimes not. This is what causes my anxiety and depression to flare up. I recently had a trip to hospital feeling extremely unwell with abdominal pains. While they didn’t do ultrasounds all other tests came back clear. Before this trip I had an infection and was treated and have ultrasounds booked for August. I just cannot stand anxiety and I wish it would just go away.