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

All discussions

fred2018 The brain is funny
  • replies: 5

I don't if its anxiety or stress but I have to laugh at some of the ridiculous things I've done like booking appointments on the wrong day. In my experience anxiety causes sometimes to think too much or not enough and rush things hah I'm choosing to ... View more

I don't if its anxiety or stress but I have to laugh at some of the ridiculous things I've done like booking appointments on the wrong day. In my experience anxiety causes sometimes to think too much or not enough and rush things hah I'm choosing to genuinely laugh now at my anxiety and my mood problems and kinda disorganised brain, because I've been pretty annoyed at myself of late and that's probably not helpful is it ?

Yelah90 Something nice for other people.
  • replies: 2

So I had alot of sunflower seeds i thought it would be a great idea to packet a few seeds And deliver them around my community. I had about 100 packets with a little note On each. Which took me all afternoon to do. I got the courage to deliver them. ... View more

So I had alot of sunflower seeds i thought it would be a great idea to packet a few seeds And deliver them around my community. I had about 100 packets with a little note On each. Which took me all afternoon to do. I got the courage to deliver them. I only could deliver 10-15 Due to my mind and my anxiety. Telling me I'm going to get in Trouble, or people will get mad at me for not delivering to their house with no junk mail on the mail box. And just other bad thoughts. So now I've about 85-90 packets left over and I'm scared to do anymore. At one point I was going to ring my.mum to pick me up cause my thoughts were bad. And over bearing.

caityyyxx weird sensations?
  • replies: 4

Hello, I have suffered from anxiety/depression for years. I was diagnosed when I was 12 and am now 23. I have been on medication for about 4 years now. My anxiety is really up and down. Sometimes I’m really good, other times I’m really down. lately, ... View more

Hello, I have suffered from anxiety/depression for years. I was diagnosed when I was 12 and am now 23. I have been on medication for about 4 years now. My anxiety is really up and down. Sometimes I’m really good, other times I’m really down. lately, my anxiety has gotten bad. i have been having weird sensations and I always experience different things. I always put it down to anxiety because it goes away when I’m not thinking about it. but lately I’ve felt quite nauseous often, sometimes experience depersonalisation, dizziness and the most recent one is my legs feel really weak. It’s hard to explain, but they just don’t feel normal. Like sometimes If I’m walking I feel really sluggish/slow and sometimes feel like my legs are going to give up. It stops me from wanting to do much. does anyone else experience this? So I’m not alone. im going to get a full blood test soon, to check that I’m not deficient in anything either. But it just becomes debilitating and I’m struggling to put all my effort into work lately. In terms of other health conditions, I’ve only got PCOS that I know of and I saw a Neurosurgeon this year and don’t have any neurological issues that they could find. last year I did go through a lot of trauma with DV, but it’s been a year so I’m not sure why my anxiety has gotten so bad lately like this. someone please help

Cath21 Is this anxiety??
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I could be exhausted and trying to sleep or after a walk, I notice my heart is pounding but I Don't think too much of it (I do have underlying ectopic beats and arrythmias) Then I'd get a sudden intense horrible feeling come over me and my heart rate... View more

I could be exhausted and trying to sleep or after a walk, I notice my heart is pounding but I Don't think too much of it (I do have underlying ectopic beats and arrythmias) Then I'd get a sudden intense horrible feeling come over me and my heart rate shoots up Very fast, sometimes to 120 or even 180. My breathing gets heavy and fast But im just lying there wanting the feeling to end, it's a horrible intense feeling in the chest I have delt with anxiety, hyperventilating ppl many times. Im not hyperventilating. The breathing increases secondary to the heart rate and horrible feeling that comes over me. I'm not an anxious person at all. But I've delt with this problem myself for years thinking its just a heart Arrhythmia happening. But no doctors know what it is. I'm thinking maybe it's some underlying anxiety?? Anyone experience the same? I feel like I'm the only person that gets this.

VG_ How to get help
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Hi folks I’ve written in before and found the advice extremely useful so I thought I’d ask for more if you wouldn’t mind sharing your wisdom! I’m having anxiety at work in a high pressure new role (eg freezing up in meetings and struggling to present... View more

Hi folks I’ve written in before and found the advice extremely useful so I thought I’d ask for more if you wouldn’t mind sharing your wisdom! I’m having anxiety at work in a high pressure new role (eg freezing up in meetings and struggling to present properly, anxiety leading up to meetings, trouble sleeping at night worrying about meetings!). Overall my performance is good, but its like I’m my own worst enemy and in key moments I struggle to express myself confidently! Previously I haven’t felt this way - only slight nerves. I’ve tried lots of self help type techniques including those kindly recommended here, but it’s still really affecting me (ironically I was super depressed to learn I got promoted to this as a permanent role). Do you think this is the kind of thing medication could help with? If so, would I go to a GP or psychologist or psychiatrist? I hope you’re all coping OK during this time - I would really appreciate any pointers you may have. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this

tired_magpie managing fatigue?
  • replies: 4

hello everybody! i've been living with anxiety for a few years now and have yet to find a way to manage the kind of bone-deep fatigue it brings with it. i've done my best to keep to a consistent sleep schedule and commit to exercising as i can, but n... View more

hello everybody! i've been living with anxiety for a few years now and have yet to find a way to manage the kind of bone-deep fatigue it brings with it. i've done my best to keep to a consistent sleep schedule and commit to exercising as i can, but nothing seems to make a dent! does anyone have any tips outside what i've found on the second (2) page of google? thanks ☺️

Gabstar77 Anxiety, university, work and independance
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I am finding it increasingly difficult to cope with work, university and living alone. How do other people cope with anxiety and depression? I am finding that mustering the motivation to do anything is hard. My job is so draining and I don't earn eno... View more

I am finding it increasingly difficult to cope with work, university and living alone. How do other people cope with anxiety and depression? I am finding that mustering the motivation to do anything is hard. My job is so draining and I don't earn enough money. University lacks support. Sometimes I can't even look after myself.

Turbine25 Overwhelmed with my own mental health and supporting alcoholic spouse
  • replies: 5

Hi, I’m new. I can’t sleep again which is a recurring thing for me these days. I am suffering depression caused by a huge build up of external and personal issues. I’ve had lots of change this last year. Moving away from family, quit my job, new town... View more

Hi, I’m new. I can’t sleep again which is a recurring thing for me these days. I am suffering depression caused by a huge build up of external and personal issues. I’ve had lots of change this last year. Moving away from family, quit my job, new town, remote, health issues, two young kids and an alcoholic spouse that has just relapsed on top of all the added stress covid has caused. I’m a health care worker in admin but still was incredibly stressed and working more then usual. Oh and we moved house and my child has had to change schools for the 3rd time and is only in Preprimary. I feel like I am juggling so many balls right now, I know I’m not coping. I’m not sleeping, not eating but then binge eating almost making myself sick, anxious and unmotivated. my spouse will not seek help, I’ve tried to encourage him to contact his counsellor, I’ve enlisted the help of close friends to check in because communication has broken down between us. I am at breaking point with no family support where we live now, only a few friends but not people I trust yet. I feel like the trust we have as a couple is broken because he was hiding the drinking from me again and making huge life altering decisions without me. I know he is sick and I don’t want to walk away but there is only so much I can take and I have to also think about our children and the damage his behaviour might cause them. I am trying to convince him we need couples counselling but he isn’t interested and I feel like he has just given up and doesn’t want me at all anymore. I feel like I offer him no value or purpose being here because the only thing I’m good for is sex and keeping the house clean, we don’t talk anymore, he confides in other people who don’t know about the drinking and they drink together. I find intimacy hard because I have physical pain from health conditions and I have zero drive now because I am so depressed. I know I am not perfect, I know I can stubborn and moody but I am honest with myself and how I am feeling, I don’t feel great right now but I’d tell him that I get no support at all. I’m am so overwhelmed I feel like I’m drowning and I don’t even have my spouse/best friend right now. I feel more isolated then ever, I’ve made steps and seen my GP, have a referral for a psychiatrist and started medication. I just feel so hopeless, adrift and unstable in my personal life.

Kbchib I hate myself
  • replies: 3

Hello, I am 28 years old, married to an unimaginably wonderful man, mother to absolute perfection - twice. I work part time at a job I enjoy, have amazing in-laws and live in a beautiful home in a small town filled with kind and welcoming people. At ... View more

Hello, I am 28 years old, married to an unimaginably wonderful man, mother to absolute perfection - twice. I work part time at a job I enjoy, have amazing in-laws and live in a beautiful home in a small town filled with kind and welcoming people. At surface level my life is perfect. However despite all of this, I hold a deep sadness inside. Oftentimes it never shows but when it does it can range anywhere from being down momentarily to prolonged melancholy, and seems uncontrollable. I don't know when or why or how badly it will occur. I have never spoken to a professional, but I believe multiple traumas from my childhood and adolescence have manifested into a deep-seated hatred for myself. I have absolutely no self-esteem. I am extremely introverted and suffer greatly from social anxiety; so much so that since moving interstate 2.5 years ago I have not made even 1 friend. My husband and his family are very well known in this town, so I have consistently met new, lovely people, but I cannot bring myself to attend social gatherings or attempt to make friends. I constantly make excuses to stay home. Just tonight I cancelled plans to celebrate our wedding anniversary, because I was too scared to go out in public and be seen. I am terrified that people won't like me. More than this fear though, I am terrified that I will project my insecurities onto my children and cause damage to them in some way, and I am terrified that my issues will ruin my marriage or hurt my husband. I hate being this way but I truly dont know how to change. I am open to any and all suggestions you may have. Thank you for reading.