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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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Goingmad Anxiety and bp
  • replies: 2

Hello fellow members have any of you ever thought that all this anxiety is damaging your heart and your life will be shortened because of this illness or have you asked your GP about it I'm sure it's not doing our heart any good which makes me feel e... View more

Hello fellow members have any of you ever thought that all this anxiety is damaging your heart and your life will be shortened because of this illness or have you asked your GP about it I'm sure it's not doing our heart any good which makes me feel even more anxious

Vegangirl91 Physical symptoms of anxiety - "drunkenness" feeling
  • replies: 5

Hi everyone Recently been feeling anxious in general all the time. Had one panic attack at night. I've had the symptoms of nausea, tingling, head jolts, palpitations, dry mouth, loss of appetite etc but just wondering if anyone has ever had a feeling... View more

Hi everyone Recently been feeling anxious in general all the time. Had one panic attack at night. I've had the symptoms of nausea, tingling, head jolts, palpitations, dry mouth, loss of appetite etc but just wondering if anyone has ever had a feeling of like loss of mental focus and sharpness? I am usually very sharp, and on the ball - organised, motivated and thinking 100%. But my mental mind has recently felt like spaced out or drunk. But I am able to do everything else fine. Can anyone relate? Did it go away? Please help x

Samyol The Best Treatment For Emetophobia
  • replies: 2

G'day, my name's Samuel, I'm 18 and I suffer from GAD, depression, a phobia of vomiting and panic attacks that are a direct result of said phobia. I remember almost anytime I've experienced either myself or another person vomiting, I wouldn't go as f... View more

G'day, my name's Samuel, I'm 18 and I suffer from GAD, depression, a phobia of vomiting and panic attacks that are a direct result of said phobia. I remember almost anytime I've experienced either myself or another person vomiting, I wouldn't go as far as saying that it has traumatised me, but these are events I cannot forget as they terrify me. I've dealt with emetophobia since my early teens and whilst my anxiety and depression are being treated, this intense fear of vomiting is causing the most damage to me emotionally. I don't go one day without my stomach acting up and instantly throwing me into fear of vomiting which in turn begins to make me feel even more sick; such as globus sensation kicking in and my stomach beginning to "drop" in a sense. I feel as though, if I can destroy this phobia at it's core; my general lifestyle will improve dramatically. I'll be able to eat and drink in public or at anothers house without the fear of food poisoning. I'll be able to maintain a proper job and be reliable as I won't be scared of feeling sick. I just would really like to know what is generally my best course of action, perhaps anyone with experience could put in a word or two, thank you!

Fawkes1 OCD and Unusual Physical Symptoms
  • replies: 3

NOTE: This post deals with sexual obsessions/compulsions. I should also say that I am a male between the ages of 25-35. Hi there, I have had severe OCD for over 15 years. I have received ongoing treatment for the past 7 years in the form of medicatio... View more

NOTE: This post deals with sexual obsessions/compulsions. I should also say that I am a male between the ages of 25-35. Hi there, I have had severe OCD for over 15 years. I have received ongoing treatment for the past 7 years in the form of medication, CBT, and ERP. My obsessions involve anything that feels slightly wrong/incorrect/imperfect: unlucky numbers, touching something in the "wrong" way, checking, coincidences, surprises, repetitive body movements and tics, unwanted thoughts, contamination, etc. Anything that reinforces a lack of control or certainty. Because my triggers are so wide-ranging, they can occur any time, anywhere, and without the slightest warning. As such, I am racked with constant and extreme anxiety and fear. You will all be familiar with how distressing this feels. My main OCD fear is around masturbation, and a fear of being "caught in the act". This fear has crippled me for well over a decade, and it pretty much rules my life. The "unusual physical symptoms" to which the title of this thread refer are the sensations I get in my body from the aforementioned triggers, which cause me to use masturbation as a compulsion, as it is the only thing that relieves those sensations. So what are those sensations? Well, as an example, a couple of nights ago I clenched my bottom in the "wrong" way. Immediately, my genitals started burning, and my bottom tightened. This is what happens when I get triggered. I have always referred to it as "the burning feeling", but it is really a mix of burning and arousal. It is absolute agony. It feels as if my genitals have been lit on fire. At its worst, it affects my ability to walk. The only way to get rid of the feeling is through masturbation (although that itself has to go "right", which is a whole other story). I have no physical problem. The burning feeling is purely an expression of anxiety, and its relationship to masturbation is magical thinking. My treatment therefore involves resisting the urge to masturbate. The cruelty of my OCD is that masturbation is my biggest fear, but also the only thing that relieves my absolutely crippling physical symptoms. I would estimate that I probably spend about half of my time in physical discomfort, much of it extreme. The other half is spent in fear. Has anyone else had similar experiences? It is such a difficult thing to talk about, but I am really at my wits' end. Any help would be hugely appreciated, and please feel free to ask any questions.

WhereDoIBegin Struggling. Hopelessness.
  • replies: 13

Hello, I would like to start by saying that I am already seeing a psychiatrist. I think I have always had some issues. Never truly happy. My biggest issue is that I am always in my head - always making up false outcomes & worrying about the worst cas... View more

Hello, I would like to start by saying that I am already seeing a psychiatrist. I think I have always had some issues. Never truly happy. My biggest issue is that I am always in my head - always making up false outcomes & worrying about the worst case scenarios. Anxiety. I got with someone at a young age. We were happy. I have always been a good person, never abusive, always caring & thoughtful. We have 3 kids. After 10+ years, she left me for another man. I was broken. For my 3 children, I immediately seeked help. I spoke to friends, I saw a therapist. I met a girl. I started to feel better. I started to feel much better - However looking back now, I think it had a lot to do with the "Honeymoon period". After sometime, I began becoming jealous. Overprotective. I was scared to be heartbroken again. Let me be clear - I don't think at any point I was a'crazy' boyfriend. I didn't yell or get angry, I didn't tell her she couldn't do things. I was needed constant reassurance. I would get in my own head, and when it got a lot, I would sit her down and explain to her how I was feeling. She was always so supportive. She 'understood' because of everything I had been through. However it seems my issues have become to much for her, and she left me last night. She said it wasn't me, the issue is that she has her hands full with a small child that has issues of his own, and her 'cup is almost full' already. She sent me a message afterward to say she was sorry and I am the kindest, sweetest man etc. But this just made me feel worse. I feel trapped because I lost her because of my problems that I can't stop. I feel as though I just want to be someone else. I hate myself. I hate who I've become. I also have MAJOR issues with the man that my X is seeing. I can't stand it. Just any thought of him being there with the kids kills me. Is he abusing them? No. Is he a bad influence? Not that I can tell. He seems great with them. But again, I am jealous. Life is not fair. Why should a decision by my X make me lose time with my children? Why should it mean that the man she left me for gets to spend quality time with my kids? Why should it mean he gets to have first experiences with them? That I feel low all the time? That I'm overly jealous, protective & scared? I just feel like my mentality is ruined and I just can't do anything to help it. I am at my wits end. Exhausted. I'm done. I'm having some really messed up thoughts at the moment. I feel so hopeless. Please help.

oliver12345 Social Anxiety/ Depression.
  • replies: 2

Hi all, I m new to this forum community. I have been struggling quite alot with anxiety. i tend to relieve myself that this is normal and its just part of life to deal with these. But i somehow continue to get into the same situation whenever i met o... View more

Hi all, I m new to this forum community. I have been struggling quite alot with anxiety. i tend to relieve myself that this is normal and its just part of life to deal with these. But i somehow continue to get into the same situation whenever i met one of stressors. I overthink quite often, i devalue myself. I feel like I am being in a loop and i been trying to get out of it but i could not. Yesterday duing a legal phone consultation, i totally lost track of what the legal counsellor was saying i keep telling her to repeat only to find myself unable to understand. I felt bad for the lawyer and doubted myself of my competence and usefulness during and after my consultation and wondered if i was actually stupid. I self diagnose myself. I always tend to avoid situations that stresses me. I hate that part of me. I also find myself hard to connect with people and made a close relationship with them. I have social anxiety. I always seem to remember mostly the negative emotions of my life rather than the positive ones. I tried to see the psychologist and also seem to be in avoidant behaviour. I question myself of my values. I coop myself up inside my room to play games and watch movies thinking its normal tht Im a just an introvert.I loved being like this and a part of me hates this and tells me to be more socially engaging and active. The thing is im not good in coversations and put myself in a weird position when i talk with someone. I felt awkward around people and worried the other person will see me in the same way. Then i reassure myself you are just overthking it and the other person is probably not going to see me the way i expected. This is wht my close friend and family told. But i just cant seem to change that cycle. Then sometimes i hated myself for being a person I was. This led me to think of what could be possibly wrong with me and then it jus go away when I watche movies played games or sometimes cries in front my sister. But it comes back whenever i met with a stressor. I cant seem to find a way out of this cycle. I been trying to find a way but i feel like it is getting worse.I was wondering if anyone had faced and ovrercome issues similar to mine. Thank you

Mumofnah Has anyone had sudden weight loss from an anxiety flare up??
  • replies: 6

Hi all, just a quick question if anyone has experienced sudden weight loss from an anxiety flare up. As I weight around 63kg and now after a few months weight 58 and it’s kind of scaring me. I also have moment of upset burning in my stomach and on an... View more

Hi all, just a quick question if anyone has experienced sudden weight loss from an anxiety flare up. As I weight around 63kg and now after a few months weight 58 and it’s kind of scaring me. I also have moment of upset burning in my stomach and on and off runs when going to the bathroom(apologies for the detail) I did have about a week where I couldn’t eat as had to force myself to. Am eating ok now and get sudden hunger pains so am having smaller breakfast, lunch and dinner meals and snacking in between. Also is there any females that find a few weeks before there period that the anxiety really ramps up?? any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Dante_C_ Going to see a doctor about anxiety?
  • replies: 15

Hey guys, I was wondering if any of you have gone to see a doctor / GP about challenges you were facing mentally. If so what were your experiences talking with them like? Thinking about going in soon

Hey guys, I was wondering if any of you have gone to see a doctor / GP about challenges you were facing mentally. If so what were your experiences talking with them like? Thinking about going in soon

beejadee08 Anxiety- Hyperventilation to the point where my hands curl up
  • replies: 19

Ive been suffering from anxiety for the last 2 years. It started after a personal training session and after I had finished my heart rate wouldn't go back down and I ended up hyperventilating in my car alone on the side of the road to the point where... View more

Ive been suffering from anxiety for the last 2 years. It started after a personal training session and after I had finished my heart rate wouldn't go back down and I ended up hyperventilating in my car alone on the side of the road to the point where my hands tingled and curled up, I went all shakey, my lips tingled and I couldn't move my body properly. I feel like I almost fainted and thought I was dieing. I went to the emergency and they did an ecg and the docs freaked at my ecg. My heart was pounding out of my chest but eventually it went away. I followed up with more tests etc and my heart health is fine (I do have a family history of heart disease) and I was diagnosed with anxiety disorder . I now have been living in fear of that episode happening again for the last two years and any small triggers, negative emotions or nervousness cause my heart to go fast and my hands to go numb and tingly again within minutes and its just a big cycle of fearing these symptoms and waiting for it to happen again. I know about hyperventilation and breathing (health science degree) and each time an attack comes I control my breathing and slow it down and try to ground myself however I am now almost certainly convinced the exaggerated hand curling up and tingling in lips etc is not due to my breathing. I have lost work, friends and my social life because of this fear of these symptoms and can't ever be alone. I have also seen numerous doctors and psychologists even physio for my breathing and completely understand about anxiety and controlling my breathing but the symptoms keep happening and I feel like there is no way out. Has anyone else has something similar happen? please help

bluenight Intermittent fasting has helped reduce my anxiety
  • replies: 4

Hi everyone I have had all kinds of mental health issues ever since I was 19. Depression, severe anxiety, panic attacks, OCD, psychosis, and I've done a lot of self medicating with alcohol at times. My family relationships which were loving and stron... View more

Hi everyone I have had all kinds of mental health issues ever since I was 19. Depression, severe anxiety, panic attacks, OCD, psychosis, and I've done a lot of self medicating with alcohol at times. My family relationships which were loving and strong in childhood have since been very up and down with lots of arguments and shouting for years and years which has only made my confidence and self esteem worse. I have become very isolated, I get anxious in public places, I believe I look weird or act weird and people are staring at me. I always see people looking at me like I'm strange/weird. I have really bad anxiety and confidence/assertiveness issues in the work environment. I've tried medications and a lot of different natural medicine and lifestyle treatment. I could go on and on, we all have our problems. I want to share with everyone something that I have to be an amazing antidote to all of the above. Fasting, no food or drink is an amazing treatment for my mental health and emotional issues. It's free and good for your physical health. You have to be sensible, don't fast to a level that is unhealthy; but say for example, fasting from sunrise to sunset just as Muslims do in the holy month of Ramadan would be a good guide. It's also worth checking with your GP if it's suitable for you. I've found it is really healing and can help you lose weight and clear your thinking, bring about emotions you forgot you had and it's incredible for anxiety.

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