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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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ShadowWolf25 anxious about the future
  • replies: 1

hey, i dont know where to start, but im completely lost, feeling like i dont have any choice for my well-being, health, studies and life. Im turning 26 later this year, and wanting/planning to go back and finish my studies, but one of big main proble... View more

hey, i dont know where to start, but im completely lost, feeling like i dont have any choice for my well-being, health, studies and life. Im turning 26 later this year, and wanting/planning to go back and finish my studies, but one of big main problems is that no one, and i mean no one in my family ever listens to me. For a bit of background, i have failed cert 3 screen and media (digital) since 2016, due to overloading on stress, depression showing up, and some bad childhood memories (and there are a lot of bad memories). Last year, i had to quit the course, yet again, as i had a stomach issue (physical health issue), and my mum, dad and sister told me that i shouldnt have applied for tafe last year, due to being in hospital and having this stomach issue for 6 months (i had surgery in december to fix it; the issue is still there), and planned for this issue to happen... i have no idea where that comes from, i mean, how does anyone plan for their car to have flat tyres? both my dad and sister told me that i shouldve continued going into tafe, while severely unwell (i was throwing up almost everyday, due to the stomach issue), and that its not their fault that i ended up having to go into hospital (not sure where they get that from, I never said it was; i had to force my mum to take me into hospital, for this to be fixed (she said she could fix it; mums not a doctor). It's 3 months since having surgery, and i feel well enough to be on my own and study again. One of the big problems is that i moved to my mums, who lives in a small town in W.A.. Mum doesnt want me to live on my own, or go and study (her reasoning is that im too "stupid (i had an I.Q test in high school and being told my I.Q is 75...)", and since i always ask for help, failed the same tafe course multiple times im unable to "think for myself/use my inititive"... we all need help, now and then, some need it more than others (i have aspergers syndrome/high functioning autism, so i need a fair bit of help, and i tend to ask my friends for help more often than not, which annoys her as i go to others for help, not her). It doesnt help matters that the nearest mental health services, that can help with my mental issues, are back in the city, my depression has shown up in force, and lingering (im doing the best i can to ignore it), and suicidal thoughts have shown up i dont know what to do

OnlyHuman Not sure what this is
  • replies: 9

Hello Friends, I have been feeling unwell for a while, but I can't tell what exactly it is and I would like to hear if others have gone through something similar or would like to share any tips about managing it. (Note: I have a background of depress... View more

Hello Friends, I have been feeling unwell for a while, but I can't tell what exactly it is and I would like to hear if others have gone through something similar or would like to share any tips about managing it. (Note: I have a background of depression, anxiety and anorexia nervosa.) What happened recently is that I was fortunate enough to get some locum work towards Christmas and was really happy about this since I always wanted to work in the clinical setting. But I messed up organisationally and practice-wise, especially since I am a new grad and was alone the whole time, couldn't ask for help because others were overseas, was mentally not there because I was exhausted from working 3 jobs at the time, and I didn't think to ask for advice from friends/colleagues in the field when I was uncertain. So when the others came back things looked pretty bad. I received feedback which was quite harsh, but there was much truth in it and I know it was constructive criticism and no hostility behind it. Needless to say though, I won't be eligible for any more locum positions at the site... But since finishing there, I keep stressing and worrying about things I could/should have done. I can reconcile with it rationally - I understand I should take it as a learning experience and apply what I've learned given another opportunity, but physically I'm struggling. Thoughts of bits and pieces related to the experience keep popping into my head. They also crop up just before sleeping and the minute I wake up, and I also wake up during the night and the thoughts immediately pop up again so it's hard to go back to sleep. My heart rate is always up, and the low-key headaches that accompany the thoughts aren't helpful. The tiredness from not enough rest is also causing me to make mistakes at work (not related to my degree). Overall, I feel super stressed and anxious all the time and am struggling to concentrate, especially to write more applications since I do want to improve as a clinician. At the same time, the only casual position I have in the field also gives me a lot of stress because of the accountability related to being a health professional and I am not enjoying being there at all despite it only being a twice/month thing. It is a somewhat convoluted situation but any words of wisdom will be welcomed!

howhann Health Anxiety
  • replies: 3

Hey guys, I’m an 18 year old girl who has previously been diagnosed with OCD. My OCD revolves around safety and my fear of dying. In the past year this has further manifested into severe health anxiety, to the point that I think about it constantly. ... View more

Hey guys, I’m an 18 year old girl who has previously been diagnosed with OCD. My OCD revolves around safety and my fear of dying. In the past year this has further manifested into severe health anxiety, to the point that I think about it constantly. I can’t convince myself that I don’t have cancer. If a bone sticks out too much, if my muscle starts hurting or if I experience any pain I automatically assume I have cancer. It’s really debilitating, and frustrates my friends and family when I ask them for reassurance. Just looking to see if anyone has been in a similar situation and can offer any advice or reassurance. It’s getting to the point where the only thing that would soothe my nerves is actually getting an X-ray, but my anxiety is preventing me from doing so.

lonelylemon moving away for uni - don't really know how to label this feeling
  • replies: 1

hi i recently got accepted to law school interstate and im coming to terms with the fact that i'm moving out of home - which in itself took me 4 days to stop crying over. it became evident that i am severely attached to my family, friends and of cour... View more

hi i recently got accepted to law school interstate and im coming to terms with the fact that i'm moving out of home - which in itself took me 4 days to stop crying over. it became evident that i am severely attached to my family, friends and of course where i'm living. i'm fresh out of year 12 and more scared and stressed now than i ever felt during my exam period believe it or not. im finding that i just constantly feel so so so low and so alone and more than anything just sad. i overthink so much about whether i will be able to find the right friends, going out (i dont really enjoy late nights and i dont drink - and i feel like this will make it difficult to make friends) and most importantly whether i am even cut out for law school - which is crazy because i worked so hard for it but now i would rather give it up than have to feel like this any longer. i find myself suddenly bursting into tears if i think about it for more than 2 minutes and it totally offsets the entire day afterwards. i don't know what to do or how to manage it. my friends and family have seen me cry and we have had discussions about it but i dont want to keep burdening them with my same issues over and over again. any help please

H-c Why am i feeling like this?
  • replies: 3

I think i have anxiety but I’m not sure if I should go to the doctor, even then I’m still scared to go to the doctors because honestly I’m afraid if i did go to the doctors my family would not treat me the same anymore, I’m afraid that they’ll look a... View more

I think i have anxiety but I’m not sure if I should go to the doctor, even then I’m still scared to go to the doctors because honestly I’m afraid if i did go to the doctors my family would not treat me the same anymore, I’m afraid that they’ll look at me and treat me like i might break any second. I’m also afraid that the teachers might do the same. Recently I’m getting cramps often, and i tend to get to the point where i wanna cry for no reason, like i started feeling all bothered and i started taking deep breaths and it feels like i need to go to the toilet urgently, like I’m getting really nervous and all for no reason. I know that you guys cant diagnose here but are there anyone here that has experienced this and if so what calms you down, what helps you not breakdown often and what is keeping you form not breaking down? Anything, any tips you can give will help. But here are the things I’ve tried and did not help: 1) exercising (made me feel Worse) 2) meditating (tried it often and did not change anything)

Cate194 Anxiety and work
  • replies: 1

Hi all i need some advice. I have been struggling with severe anxiety and depression for about 10 years currently 25 i have just started taking medication for my anxiety and at the moment i am currently job hunting. i have worked retail before and wa... View more

Hi all i need some advice. I have been struggling with severe anxiety and depression for about 10 years currently 25 i have just started taking medication for my anxiety and at the moment i am currently job hunting. i have worked retail before and was good at it i am able to put up a front and do my job well so i want to work in retail (currently studying cert 4 retail management) i still get anxious working in retail but can overcome it. My current issue is i am unemployed and not able to even get an interview with a retail store atm even with 2 years retail experience but a family member's friend was looking for someone to work in their conveyancing office in the city i am unclear on the exact job but to my understanding it is office duties, i am not good at talking over the phone at all i had to leave a call centre job because of this but i feel pressured because it is a family members friend offering the job. I would much rather stick to retail and places that i am able to walk to. this place is in the city and would require me to take a bus which i struggle with. any tips or advice people have would be helpful, i know i am being too picky for someone who is unemployed but i am very prone to panic attacks and my anxiety and depression can be debilitating and i dont want to go for this job get it and than leave it immediately and waste everyone's time and upset this family member as it is a close friend of theirs. thank you in advance for any advice/tips you are able to give me.

kaityo1 exacerbated anxiety
  • replies: 2

To cut a long story short.. I have previously suffered from anxiety that contributed to a lack of self worth and confidence. At this time last year I considered myself to be at a 'high point' where I felt I was in a good place with my overall mental ... View more

To cut a long story short.. I have previously suffered from anxiety that contributed to a lack of self worth and confidence. At this time last year I considered myself to be at a 'high point' where I felt I was in a good place with my overall mental health. I was particularly happy and motivated as I had just been accepted into university (which was a huge step and deal for me). Although I had the usual stresses of studying I felt as though I was coping well. At the end of last year I bought a house with my partner which I was happy about because I had achieved something great and felt it was a much needed step. Since moving in and dealing with change, my mental health has declined greatly and the symptoms of anxiety have come back worse than before. I suddenly felt a sense of unexplained loneliness, purposelessness, frequent crying and no matter how hard I try I just can't feel any enjoyment or motivation. This has been bothering me for the past 3 months and hasn't improved at all.. and I just want it to get better. I'm lucky I have a patient partner who I can discuss this with but it makes me feel more alone because he can't relate to my situation.

H-c Breakdowns
  • replies: 2

Hey everyone, right now I’m having all these breakdowns occasionally and I don’t know what to do. I get easily irritated at everyone and its slowly getting to me.I cant focus and I’m starting to find the things that i could do easily starting to get ... View more

Hey everyone, right now I’m having all these breakdowns occasionally and I don’t know what to do. I get easily irritated at everyone and its slowly getting to me.I cant focus and I’m starting to find the things that i could do easily starting to get harder and harder for no reason. My heartbeat is at 100 or more every time i measure it and i did go to the doctor to get that checked out they did not say anything about anxiety and they said its fine. But why do i have trouble breathing sometimes and get all shaky as well? Whenever a teacher picks on me to answer in front of the class it feels as if either all the blood in my face drained out or all the blood is rushing to my face. I also worry too much and get paranoid easily. I took beyond blue’s checklist for anxiety and depression and the results shows that its in the high range and I honestly don’t know what to do. I’m starting to get palpitations more often and honestly, I’m scared and I have no idea what to do.

NonXen Anxiety causing me to feel worthless
  • replies: 4

Hello, nice to meet all of you. I'm only 18 (turning 19 in a couple of weeks) and I've been coping with anxiety for years. My anxiety is so horrible that I physically can't get myself to leave the house without someone inviting me to go outside (eg. ... View more

Hello, nice to meet all of you. I'm only 18 (turning 19 in a couple of weeks) and I've been coping with anxiety for years. My anxiety is so horrible that I physically can't get myself to leave the house without someone inviting me to go outside (eg. parents or friends). Even then, I still tend to refuse to go outside. I am also unemployed, I had a job before but I was just working for my family's business. I don't wish to go back to working with my family because they emotionally and verbally abuse me. I still live with my mum but she's out for most days so I don't see her often. I've seen a professional in the past but going to one is very uncomfortable for me and I tend to have small panic attacks when I'm around them. I feel very useless, and the feeling is just getting worse. This feeling makes it hard for me to do anything for myself, the only thing so far I've been doing is playing games online and neglecting to take care of myself. I don't know what to do. I can't get a job because I just can't deal with the stress, the anxiety. I don't want to get help from my parents or a professional because my parents abuse me and the professional makes me uncomfortable. I don't want to burden my friend with even more of my baggage as she's going through things herself. I can't deal with this anymore. I don't know what to do that'll make me feel better about my life.

cakeboss Anxiety Panic Disorder over finances
  • replies: 1

Hi i have recently had what i would call extemely bad luck with things breaking down.I hold a mortgage and on top of that then my car breaks down not once but twice all repaired.Get over that then i accidently back into a car in a car park .No damage... View more

Hi i have recently had what i would call extemely bad luck with things breaking down.I hold a mortgage and on top of that then my car breaks down not once but twice all repaired.Get over that then i accidently back into a car in a car park .No damage to my car but a little damage to the other car .I had to pay excess thats organised few weeks go by then my washing machine broke down which i now have another .I am now having panic attacks that somthing else will break down or will this bad luck stop .Does anyone else have Anxiety panic disorder im under a gp counciler and psychrtrist .I was under them for anxiety panic disorder but lately these issues above have set it off .Great to hear if im not the only one worrying over somthing breaking down