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

bear73800 Scared to go to work
  • replies: 6

Last year i became depressed and quit my job, i started a new job shortly after but quit within a week due to anxiety. I got better in a couple of months and found a good full time job again. I've been in this job for almost 6 months but in the last ... View more

Last year i became depressed and quit my job, i started a new job shortly after but quit within a week due to anxiety. I got better in a couple of months and found a good full time job again. I've been in this job for almost 6 months but in the last fortnight have become overwhelmed with anxiety. I started back on anti depressants and I already have different anti-anxiety meds. My anxiety is the worst in the morning, its almost debilitating and its stopped me from going to work for a week now. I have been honest with my manager and they are very supportive but i still feel so scared to go into work but i dont know why. Feel like i'm going crazy. Saw a psycologist last week but have to wait until the end of the week to see them again.

Daisee Health Anxiety - IBS or cancer - catastrophising HELP
  • replies: 6

Hi Everyone, I'm back again after 5 years. I have (I hope) IBS again, BIG TIME. Loss of appetite, acid reflux, stomach cramps, diarrhea and with that a whole lot of anxiety. I'm convinced, as many others who suffer health anxiety, I have cancer. This... View more

Hi Everyone, I'm back again after 5 years. I have (I hope) IBS again, BIG TIME. Loss of appetite, acid reflux, stomach cramps, diarrhea and with that a whole lot of anxiety. I'm convinced, as many others who suffer health anxiety, I have cancer. This has been going on for 2 months now and I'm so tired of myself! It was probably brought on by being a touch overweight (started at 69kg - now 65kg) 155cm, drinking too much wine, and eating too much good food (big meals, ending with red wine & chocolate!). I have been on heartburn medication for 2 weeks, fixed the acid reflux and am taking a probiotic, BUT the stomach cramps and diarrhea are still continuing. Dr Google says anything from cancer to IBS. Which one do I choose... yep cancer. That spins me into a full blown panic and anxiety situation. Hot sweats and flashes (I have enough of those at 56 years due to Meno) and the shakes... I was having one or two glasses of wine and smaller meals, but as of today (more bouts of severe diarrhea I think from taking Mylanta) I'm cutting out all alcohol and acidic food, limiting to just chicken, fish, rice, potato, avocado, herbal tea and the odd cup of tea with manuka honey. I'll let you know how I go... No drugs, except for my probiotic in the morning. I have been in touch with my Doctor who has done all the tests. The Bowel screening test results yet to come back and am seeing a Gastro Specialist in 10 days. Those 10 days are going to be interesting to say the least. My question to the forum is how do you cope with catastrophising? Does anyone else have this problem with IBS. I know no-one except a Specialist can tell me what it is, but I hate this feeling and I hate me for feeling like this. I just want to sleep for the next 10 days so I don't have to think about what if or what is to come...

Foxtrot_MikeyLima Long time listener, first time caller
  • replies: 2

Hi, thank you for taking the time to read this post. 2 years I've been suffering Anxiety. I thought it was an excuse, something ppl made up. How wrong and nieve I was. I'm so sick of this roller coaster ride. The feeling of being a burden on my partn... View more

Hi, thank you for taking the time to read this post. 2 years I've been suffering Anxiety. I thought it was an excuse, something ppl made up. How wrong and nieve I was. I'm so sick of this roller coaster ride. The feeling of being a burden on my partner and a useless father. I'm bloody over feeling like I can't get out the door and always late. When your heart starts leaping outta your chest for the fear of nothing. I've read and researched so much. I've fought and fought this quiksand but I'm getting tired. It's like there's a foot on my head. I want answers but there isn't any. I want a cure But no doctor has it....

Dan_1 Medication dose
  • replies: 4

Gday, I have recently had a pretty awful anxiety experience which made me finally get some help. My GP Has put me on a low dose of a medication to deal while I get therapy sorted out. It has been working alright keeping the edge off, four days ago I ... View more

Gday, I have recently had a pretty awful anxiety experience which made me finally get some help. My GP Has put me on a low dose of a medication to deal while I get therapy sorted out. It has been working alright keeping the edge off, four days ago I went back and he has put me on a higher dose. The next day all my original symptoms feel like they have came back and I feel terrible. Has anyone else had this issue? Thanks in advance

Lilyk Feeling stuck
  • replies: 3

Hey there, so for a little while I have felt like I have been getting increasingly more anxious and I’m not sure if depressed is the word. But I feel lonely and kinda of feel like fading out. I have no motivation any more really. Which is really anno... View more

Hey there, so for a little while I have felt like I have been getting increasingly more anxious and I’m not sure if depressed is the word. But I feel lonely and kinda of feel like fading out. I have no motivation any more really. Which is really annoying when it comes to exams. I also had an assessment where I had to present earlier this year and I usually get nervous. But this time I felt like I was going to cry and I could feel my whole body siezing up. I know there’s nothing to be afraid of and I usually just feel a little jittery before. But as soon as I talk. It just takes over. And this has continued to happen for the rest. I want to get help but I’m afraid and I feel like I wouldn’t be able to explain myself properly or wouldn’t want to admit to myself how I’m feeling. Mental illness also runs in the family. So it makes sense that I could have something but I feel stupid to say I do. Hope this all makes sense.

Lolue Anxious that I could be made redundant
  • replies: 4

Hi, During April I was stood down from my job as a training co-ordinator due to the lockdown we weren't getting any new employees and with staff being stood down there was no requests for training. I have two managers my direct manager was also stood... View more

Hi, During April I was stood down from my job as a training co-ordinator due to the lockdown we weren't getting any new employees and with staff being stood down there was no requests for training. I have two managers my direct manager was also stood down however my manager who is our team leader was not I haven't heard from him in 4 weeks. Except when he cced me in on an email to the girl who used to do my job that she was to take over one of my admin jobs. I understand why he asked her cause she knows how to do the task but it sucks cause I spent months trying to get out of her shadow and to be stopped called her number two Lockdown is slowly being eased and my work announced that some jobs will be stood back up and some won't. I have a feeling my job won't be stood back up and I'm worried I could actually be made redundant. I'm not sure if I should start looking for a new job or try to wait it out a bit longer. As great as it is being home I have this need to be needed. So not being in a position to be useful is getting me down.

Mond2014 New to grief
  • replies: 4

Hi, Ive never done this before so its a little weird not having a direct person to chat with but Im guna give it a go anyway. Ive recently experienced a death in my family, its the first one that Ive gone through. Im not entirely sure where to go fro... View more

Hi, Ive never done this before so its a little weird not having a direct person to chat with but Im guna give it a go anyway. Ive recently experienced a death in my family, its the first one that Ive gone through. Im not entirely sure where to go from here, its the major factor of my anxiety- which now stops me from doing things that I normally would. My anxiety has me constantly terrified that every ache and pain is a serious health issue (stems from the death of my family memeber) and just feel scared to do anything. Ive pulled myself out of situations that cause my anxiety and all I can put it down to is when Im alone in my own head and just thinking to much. Ive always been social so this is really strange not wanting to go hang out with my mates.

Ez94 Healthy Anxiety and OCD on ASBESTOS/EMF
  • replies: 4

Hi, Wanted to voice and get some help on my health anxiety. I had a period in my life, during my teens where I was the most stress and anxious free, but in my childhood and in my early adulthood now, my health anxiety has started to creep back in. I ... View more

Hi, Wanted to voice and get some help on my health anxiety. I had a period in my life, during my teens where I was the most stress and anxious free, but in my childhood and in my early adulthood now, my health anxiety has started to creep back in. I have just started my MHCP and saw a psychologist for the first time the other day, since I was 9/10. My health anxieties were very small the big with over the last year, with little stresses here and there, but in the last 3 months I feel it has become an all consuming and exhausting thing! The main thing I am worried about is Asbestos. I know it was banned a while ago now, but to my knowledge there are still fences and homes that still may contain it. My uncle moved to a new home and low and behold his fences were asbestos. My cousins were playing outside and the soccer ball was hitting the fence at times and made me think to an obsessive amount that fibres could've made it onto the ball/my cousins clothes etc and then transferred to my car and then to my house and all my belongings etc. There was no physical damage or breakage of the fence, but it still concerns me to this day. I am so aware of the effects it could have, that I am now hyper aware of where asbestos could be in the environment?? I.e could it be in my families house roof( we recently moved to a new house) My stepdad cleaned the gutters the other day and had to climb on the roof and over the cement tiling and I am worried that Maybe something has broken or cracked or something and that his clothes and any items that he had with him and what he touches in the house may affect me. It already seems to be affecting me as I don't want to using the washing machine and I worried to walk bare foot in the house or sit on the couch, and constantly washing my skin. I feel so embarrassed to want to ask and get reassured that it isn’t asbestos, but worried I will be judged for what seems to be to be silly worries. There are two family members with cancer and the last thing I want is to be sick. I am also concerned about EMF and the introduction to 5G and the potential health concerns there. I am also turning my phone to airplane mode all the time.. but as I am in a family home, I sleep close to the modem what advice does everyone have? Thank you in advance!! sorry for the long rant hahaha.

SapereAude The Resilience Project- Anxiety and/or Depression
  • replies: 6

Hi all, I’m thinking of you all I am hoping you are finding methods to help with your anxiety, depression and any other issues you may be facing in life. Has anyone had any experience with “The Resilience Project?” Whether as a professional, teacher,... View more

Hi all, I’m thinking of you all I am hoping you are finding methods to help with your anxiety, depression and any other issues you may be facing in life. Has anyone had any experience with “The Resilience Project?” Whether as a professional, teacher, parent student or another interested person? I would love to hear some feedback on whether this helps with anxiety. Thanks, be kind and take care.

Claremary No inbetween
  • replies: 2

Hi So I have been dealing with anxiety and depression since I can remember. It started out with obsessing over how I looked and acted due to bullying, then progressed into workplace anxiety, general anxiety and social anxiety as I got older. I am 24 ... View more

Hi So I have been dealing with anxiety and depression since I can remember. It started out with obsessing over how I looked and acted due to bullying, then progressed into workplace anxiety, general anxiety and social anxiety as I got older. I am 24 now. I am unsure what to do, I don't have the financial ability to see a psychologist, and I know from past experience therapists don't help. So the gist of it is that on meds or off meds, about every 3-6 months I have a breakdown. It's like all the anger and anxiety and stress accumulates until I can't handle it anymore. The stress/anxiety comes from over thinking everything. I have a lot of techniques to deal with it all. Over the past 6 months I have incorporated exercise and a healthier diet to help improve my mental health, but then I started to stress and obsess over that too. Thoughts like; I'm eating too much, I'm not eating enough, I had too many biscuits, I didn't run or walk far enough. I ran or walked too far, I'm going to get fat like my mum, I can't accept food that has been bought for me. Also note that I have quit smoking over this period too. I'm not sure why but it's either I'm stressing over everything and get angry at everyone and every single noise, or I'm having a peaceful day. (The peaceful days are very rare). There is no inbetween. I feel stuck. I can't get hell from family because they can't afford to help, but the government won't help me because I'm not defined as someone who needs help. I am on Job seeker at the current moment, but they will eventually push me i nto a job and the cycle will start again. I just want to get better, and not have to turn back to medication. But there is no help for me.