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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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Chris_B Forums etiquette: give support to receive support
  • replies: 0

Hi everyone, particularly any new members who may be reading. From time to time, we get contacted by members who are unhappy that they haven’t received a lot of replies to their posts. Our community champions work very hard to make sure that all newb... View more

Hi everyone, particularly any new members who may be reading. From time to time, we get contacted by members who are unhappy that they haven’t received a lot of replies to their posts. Our community champions work very hard to make sure that all newbies are welcomed when they first post, and we understand that it’s a big step to post for the first time on a forum like this, especially if you aren’t feeling great. It’s important to remember, though, that these forums are a community of real people, just like you, not a one-on-one support environment like going to see your psychologist. To get the best out of being here, one of the best tips we can offer is give support to receive support. Being a good community member means: participating in different threads (not just your own), replying to people who have taken the time to reply to you (even if it’s just to say thank you), and... posting words of emotional support and encouragement when you see others who are hurting and reaching out. You don’t have to feel obliged to solve the problems of others: that’s not what we’re here for. But you can offer empathy and what you’ve learned from your own life experiences, even if it’s just a line or two, eg. “I don't know what to say, but I want to give you my support and tell you I care about what is happening to you and hope life will get better soon.” Try to develop an interest in the journeys of others here on the forums. You may be surprised at how good being an active, caring member here can make you feel. For those of you who have had good experiences giving support here on the forums, please post in this thread here and let us know how it has helped you on your journey.

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Lid Introduction
  • replies: 4

Hey everyone, I'm not exactly sure on what to say here so I guess I'll start with why I am here. My whole life I have suffered from anxiety, but during the past couple of years it has gotten worse. I am a very closed off person and don't let a lot of... View more

Hey everyone, I'm not exactly sure on what to say here so I guess I'll start with why I am here. My whole life I have suffered from anxiety, but during the past couple of years it has gotten worse. I am a very closed off person and don't let a lot of people in. I am hoping to get how I'm feeling out and get some advice on how to handle it. Thanks for listening.

cakeboss High anxiety panic disorder and then it leads to overthinking
  • replies: 3

Hi have found these last few weeks a little challenging.The news everything is about this virus .I have used distraction music being great .I am just starting to think what if i loose my job with this virus outbreak what if i loose my house and finan... View more

Hi have found these last few weeks a little challenging.The news everything is about this virus .I have used distraction music being great .I am just starting to think what if i loose my job with this virus outbreak what if i loose my house and finances .I have drs app tuesday and im trying hard to stay in the moment and dont think ahead .i overcatastrfy situations .I guess this is whats going on in the world right now and i pray it will get better .I live from week to week and yes i guess the whole world is worried for now .I will try swimming today i was told to try that and i have been for my mental health .I suffer anxiety panic disorder and on medications .I try mindfullness and my music whats other people use to distract .I reckon ive played Adam Lambert thousands of time up loud to try and relax hes been my saviour with his music .

Lunak My whole brain is slowed down
  • replies: 1

I’m finding it so hard to process and hold conversations lately because my brain feels so slow and wrecked. I am usually a sociable person but recently I’ve been disconnected from conversations. I can’t start conversations either as I’ve mentally got... View more

I’m finding it so hard to process and hold conversations lately because my brain feels so slow and wrecked. I am usually a sociable person but recently I’ve been disconnected from conversations. I can’t start conversations either as I’ve mentally got nothing on my mind besides my own thoughts. Reading is so hard as well I’m finding I have to read things over and over again. I’m starting to feel anxious seeing my friends again and even being around my family because I don’t want them to think I’m a boring person. I’m just so mentally and physically drained and everyone around me seems to be ok. I don’t know what’s going on

Bellaboo2 Exhausted perfectionist
  • replies: 1

I havnt posted here for a while little nervous. I’ve been struggling with anxiety for quite a long time. It seems to be getting worse and worse. I’m stuck in my head all the time. There is never a time where my thoughts stop. I am on constant alert a... View more

I havnt posted here for a while little nervous. I’ve been struggling with anxiety for quite a long time. It seems to be getting worse and worse. I’m stuck in my head all the time. There is never a time where my thoughts stop. I am on constant alert and stressed 24/7 with no logical reason. I need to be perfect all the time. Its devolving into unhealthy expectations on myself and constant bashing on myself. I get angry, irratable and have panic attacks if I don’t meet my expectations I set myself . Is this a symptom of anxiety?

Cedar Social Anxiety- after covid is over
  • replies: 3

I have social anxiety, and I am lucky enough to have a secure job, which I am now doing from home. Aside from all the anxiety around everything that is happening at the moment, I am wondering how I will actually manage when the restrictions end and l... View more

I have social anxiety, and I am lucky enough to have a secure job, which I am now doing from home. Aside from all the anxiety around everything that is happening at the moment, I am wondering how I will actually manage when the restrictions end and life in the outside world resumes. In between bouts of anxiety, I have actually been loving just keeping to myself and not having to go out and interact with people. But I'm thinking that if I get used to this, it will be really hard to go back to work, and go back out into the world when all this is over. Anyone else experience the same thing? What are you doing to maintain the gains you've made with social anxiety and what are you doing to prevent things being too bad on the other side of this?

c0dy Aged Cared Worker - Anxiety
  • replies: 2

Hey guys, I’ve been in the sector as an AIN for nearly 7 years. I’m feeling very overwhelmed at the moment. As the current Covid-19 pandemic looms, I’m facing a lot of extra stress at work and finding it hard to relax after a challenging shift. My co... View more

Hey guys, I’ve been in the sector as an AIN for nearly 7 years. I’m feeling very overwhelmed at the moment. As the current Covid-19 pandemic looms, I’m facing a lot of extra stress at work and finding it hard to relax after a challenging shift. My company is not using agency staff so we’ve been working short staffed but with the new guidelines we’re working under, it has made our workload increase. My workplace has become a bit toxic lately, understandably everyone is stressed. There has been a big breakdown in communication across all departments.Today one the housekeeping staff said we are running out of hand soap, santizer and face masks and we haven’t had any confirmed cases. This makes me worry as if we aren’t coping now how are we going to manage if there is a confirmed case. Is anyone else facing this kind of anxiety that works in the health sector?

wannabe_alpha Anxiety resulting from Low self Esteem
  • replies: 10

Hello Dear Friends, I am 26yo Male, of Indian origin living in Australia. I have low self esteem issues. I think this is a result of too much negative criticism from my parents and surrounding. I am jobless right now. Whenever my parents call me(whic... View more

Hello Dear Friends, I am 26yo Male, of Indian origin living in Australia. I have low self esteem issues. I think this is a result of too much negative criticism from my parents and surrounding. I am jobless right now. Whenever my parents call me(which they do every other day), the only thing they want to know is about my job, or car settlement(had an accident in jan 20, and i m dealing with other party insurer currently). I have been too much overprotective, and have been deprived of my right to take own decisions, even at crucial stages of my life. Whenever I do something, my parents or relatives always see negative in it, and criticise me harshly! The criticism is generally about job, my negligible friends, bad social life, introvert nature etc. Because of all this I have developed low self esteem, and always doubt myself. I am always in dilemma nowadays even on making small decisions. And while making big decisions, I am very much worried, if even a minor thing goes wrong! Recently, I purchased another car! Actually my mom is coming tomorrow from India. I thus did it quickly. If I would have not taken the car till she comes, she would have criticised me when she would found that nobody wants to help me to see the car(as i dont have much friends)! I am still worried of getting all the negative feedback from my mom about the things i mentioned earlier! And she is living with me for 3 months! I should have been happy, but I am feeling more sad unfortunately! My life without parents (especially mom) has been peaceful I would say! So coming back to car! The car deal sounded good, and it was nice to drive as well. However, went to servicing and it has engine oil leaks and coolant leaks!! I dont want my mom to know this ofc! She would criticise me! Bcoz of this incident, I am not feeling good. Please motivate me! I would also like you to give me tips about making friends! I have no good friend on whom I can rely here in Australia!

Svea Hard to breathe and swallow
  • replies: 3

I am finding it hard to breathe and swallow. I wake up terrified thinking I am about to die from the Corona virus most nights. I have a long history of panic disorder but I haven’t felt this way in about 10 years. I haven’t got a GP anymore so I went... View more

I am finding it hard to breathe and swallow. I wake up terrified thinking I am about to die from the Corona virus most nights. I have a long history of panic disorder but I haven’t felt this way in about 10 years. I haven’t got a GP anymore so I went to a new GP and asked for medication to provide any kind of short term relief, but I didn’t get anything prescribed. I have started with anti depressants again as I have reserves at home for times like these, but the effects haven’t kicked in yet. My partner who I live with doesn’t understand and tells me to “calm down“ and I don’t want to put pressure on him so I withdraw. He has a hard time with his business at the moment due to Covid-19. I feel so alone and don’t know where to turn. I am having dark thoughts and feel very reactive. I have stabbing chest pains, find it hard to breathe and have a constant lump in my throat which makes it hard to swallow or eat. I don’t want to put pressure on the medical system, especially in these times. I feel guilty thinking about calling the hospital or wasting a Corona test that someone else may need. i just signed up to Beyond Blue so this is the first time I write here. I just hope that someone can tell me that the throat symptoms are psychosomatic and that I am not losing my mind.

Andre_P A bit over it
  • replies: 1

To be honest I normally only comment on others, not start posts, but I just wanted to today. Normally I suffer with just anxiety but today I felt a bit shaky (like slight panic) and then exhausted afterwards. Now I’m a bit down and over it. Over the ... View more

To be honest I normally only comment on others, not start posts, but I just wanted to today. Normally I suffer with just anxiety but today I felt a bit shaky (like slight panic) and then exhausted afterwards. Now I’m a bit down and over it. Over the way things are. It’s very rare I ever feel this low especially as an addition to existing anxiety. Anyway all good, just venting. Hope everyone’s doing alright.

Mendel Starting Medication for the first time
  • replies: 4

Hi Everyone, Literally two days ago I started a low dose of some SSRi medication for my anxiety. I am still on a low dose now and going up on my dosage tomorrow and my anxiety levels are pretty high at the moment. My fear of the side effects which I ... View more

Hi Everyone, Literally two days ago I started a low dose of some SSRi medication for my anxiety. I am still on a low dose now and going up on my dosage tomorrow and my anxiety levels are pretty high at the moment. My fear of the side effects which I am starting to feel. And I do try and tell myself that the side effects I am feeling could just be from my heightened anxiety from taking the medication. But I am just curious if anyone has gone through something similar, or might be able to reassure me that everything is all pretty standard. The side effects I have noticed have been some dry mouth, dizziness and some diarrhoea. And I am just feeling really agitated and anxious. Not really sure what to do, and my instant thought is that this medication is providing me with negative effects due to some other sinister reason. Thanks everyone, Greatly Appreciated Mendel