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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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Tillyp123 Coping with loneliness
  • replies: 12

Hi, I am finding it very difficult to cope with the current covid situation and feel more isolated than I should. I live alone & all of my family live overseas. I have friends however due to the self isolation rules am not seeing them. I have not had... View more

Hi, I am finding it very difficult to cope with the current covid situation and feel more isolated than I should. I live alone & all of my family live overseas. I have friends however due to the self isolation rules am not seeing them. I have not had any other interaction for over 2 weeks now and am finding it hard to find the motivation to get out of bed each day to follow the same routine and be on my own again. i am looking for some help with how to manage this loneliness when I usually am a very social and busy person

anxiousdude What has worked successfully?
  • replies: 7

Hi I'm new to posting in a forum about anxiety, didn't even know it was a thing tbh, but it's great to have this available. I was wondering what people have found to be successful in managing their anxiety? Whether it's therapy or a book? Are there a... View more

Hi I'm new to posting in a forum about anxiety, didn't even know it was a thing tbh, but it's great to have this available. I was wondering what people have found to be successful in managing their anxiety? Whether it's therapy or a book? Are there any online programmes that people are part of? Would just like a push in the right direction. Thanks

Lanibanani New here ;)
  • replies: 2

Hi I have been reading through some posts and it helps to know that I’m not alone. I consider myself a pretty chilled out sort of person but 3 months ago I started with major breathing issues where I and ended up twice in the ER. I felt like I couldn... View more

Hi I have been reading through some posts and it helps to know that I’m not alone. I consider myself a pretty chilled out sort of person but 3 months ago I started with major breathing issues where I and ended up twice in the ER. I felt like I couldn’t get a full breath in. This went on for about a week with the GP office doing all sorts of tests checking my heart, iron levels, I did a lung scan and all the tests and it came back fine except my heart was racing which they put down to panic attack/anxiety. I honestly thought I had an asthma attack or something. The dr prescribed me medication which I took, and that gave me relief where I haven’t needed to take it very much at all. Thinking back to where it started and have no idea what the trigger was. Fast forward to now and it’s happening again. I’m trying all sorts of breathing exercises and nothing seems to work. I try and leave the pill until the last resort, and so tonight after 2 days of not getting full breaths in, I took it and felt quite relaxed. But now 4am i feel like it’s starting. I’m just confused why it’s starting now in my life where I feel things aren’t too bad, I’m 32 and I’ve had other stuff happen in the past and never responded this way. I don’t know the trigger. I know it’s weird times at the moment, maybe it’s that. Can it just come out of the blue? Any advice or comments would be appreciated.

DreamAwake Wondering if anyone else has had this happen?
  • replies: 3

Hi, Not sure this is the right place to post this but its the closest fit. I've been struggling with what I call "dream things"- They can happen at any time during the day or at night but are more common at night. During these "dream things," I get d... View more

Hi, Not sure this is the right place to post this but its the closest fit. I've been struggling with what I call "dream things"- They can happen at any time during the day or at night but are more common at night. During these "dream things," I get dizzy, The room starts spinning, Everything feels misshapen and its almost as if my vision has a dream-like blur to it, Everything feels like its a dream. These normally happen after a stressful day and started in 2016 after someone close to me was hospitalized, recently they have been getting worse and last longer. Has anyone else experienced this?

Casper121 My anxiety symptoms
  • replies: 2

Hi I'm Casper for 7 months I've had "anxiety" I've been having symptoms such as heart palpitations " getting skinny even tho I'm not losing weight" I've had dry eyes for 5 months also I've been having random bruises on my body "my body is aching all ... View more

Hi I'm Casper for 7 months I've had "anxiety" I've been having symptoms such as heart palpitations " getting skinny even tho I'm not losing weight" I've had dry eyes for 5 months also I've been having random bruises on my body "my body is aching all the time Also it feels like the back of my head is either pushed in or pushed out, I keep feeling my pulse,and my tummy feels empty even tho I've eaten, someone please tell me are these symptoms common also please tell me what symptoms you have had, cheers Casper

Mina19 Advice physical symptoms
  • replies: 2

Hi, I haven't posted in quite a long time.. I guess I must have been coping ok for a while. Lately with the whole virus thing and having to stay home and all I've been feeling beyond stressed. I know I'm not the only one but I try to do things to get... View more

Hi, I haven't posted in quite a long time.. I guess I must have been coping ok for a while. Lately with the whole virus thing and having to stay home and all I've been feeling beyond stressed. I know I'm not the only one but I try to do things to get my mind off things like watch a movie, study online or play with pets outside but I still feel messed up. I've been having crazy nightmares, my digestive system has gone haywire, headaches, crying, muscle pain, and nausea. Then on top of that I feel I need to google my symptoms and well that really tops things off. Any suggestions of how I can make all this stop. Sorry for the rant but I really needed to get this off my chest.

JuliaT Feeling overwhelmed
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone My name is Julia and I have just joined this online forum. I wanted to become part of the online community to see if I could get some support for my general anxiety and depression, which have become overwhelming in the past few weeks. Anx... View more

Hi everyone My name is Julia and I have just joined this online forum. I wanted to become part of the online community to see if I could get some support for my general anxiety and depression, which have become overwhelming in the past few weeks. Anxiety and depression tend to show up in my body in the forms of sleeplessness, headaches, stomach aches and overthinking. I have recently been dealing with a persistent, painful and long term sinus infection, which for me has been a real bummer (as I am a super keen surfer!), and really hard to deal with during all the stress of COVID-19. My family lives back in New Zealand and even though I have great housemates, friends and support here in Australia, I have been feeling very alone, stuck in my own head and unable to enjoy things I usually enjoy. Despite not feeling great, I have been getting up early to exercise, eat well, get plenty of rest, write in my journal and talk to my therapist once a week. Even though I have been trying really hard to get through this difficult time, I am feeling very overwhelmed by things that are out of my control ( such as the duration/pain of this sinus infection, how long it will be until I can see my family again and the stress of COVID 19) and find myself going into a downhill, anxious spiral that doesn't allow me to see any of the positives. I am also a perfectionist, so having to show this vulnerable side of myself to my employers, friends and housemates is very uncomfortable, as I am normally an energetic, bubbly person (but have always hid the anxious side of myself well). These anxious episodes have left me with a bit of PTSD and make me feel guilty about not being able to get over them, even though I understand feeling guilty and angry about it is not helpful in any way. I wanted to know if anyone had things that may have been helpful for them to get them out of this head space and see things in a different light? I was also wondering if anyone could recommend any CBT (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy) tips that could help me during this anxious, stressful time or even just a helpful reminder that the bad things in life always pass (as I know they do, but can't quite see at the moment!) Thanks so much for taking the time to read this and I sincerely hope I can extend a bit of support to others also in this online community. Lots of love! Julia

Ocdiff Massive work anxiety
  • replies: 3

Hey guys hope you're all well! First post here, i have had ocd amd pretty sever anxiety since i was 13 no 32 and i have been at my job for about 9months now. And pretty well the whole time wanted to leave. I always feel i'm not "getting it" or always... View more

Hey guys hope you're all well! First post here, i have had ocd amd pretty sever anxiety since i was 13 no 32 and i have been at my job for about 9months now. And pretty well the whole time wanted to leave. I always feel i'm not "getting it" or always im making mistakes. Im a 32 yr old male and this is my first "trade"like job. I have been off for a week and a half with a hand injury and i am super anxious about returning, as i know i am going to cop some slack (already am) for they guys for having so much time off for a sliced hand. The high anxiety with this job has been since day one. (Little panic attacks, nausea, horrible feeling in stomach every sunday and weekday morning. What im wondering is... when do you know its time to leave a job if the anxiety is becoming too much. I feel its affecting me away from work too. I spend my weekend anxious about monday. Sorry for the rant, appreciate all feedback Thank you!!

cakeboss overthinking anxiety panic
  • replies: 9

hi just wondering if anyone else feels anything simlar to how i feel with my anxiety panic disorder.i havnt been able to work due to the virus and although i have a job waiting its a no idea situation .i miss my normal day to day routine of working g... View more

hi just wondering if anyone else feels anything simlar to how i feel with my anxiety panic disorder.i havnt been able to work due to the virus and although i have a job waiting its a no idea situation .i miss my normal day to day routine of working going swimming catching up with people and doing what i want when i want .we all have to do the right thing and stay home with this c virus .i find myself always thinking i havnt done enough during the day .even though im doing housework and catching up on things around the house i wouldnt normally do .i find myself still getting anxiety like oh i was suppose to that oh i didnt get that done.i am in regular contact with my drs.i know they would tell you have to tell yourself stop it this is not me this is my anxiety and it is going to pass .anyone else anxiety get like this .im on meds

Gumtree77 Burning mouth, depression, anxiety
  • replies: 2

Hi Yes it is me again I'm afraid. The last fortnight I have had the most awful burning and stinging sensation in my tongue and am of course convinced yet again that it is cancer. I have booked a teleconference tomorrow with an oral surgeon, he will d... View more

Hi Yes it is me again I'm afraid. The last fortnight I have had the most awful burning and stinging sensation in my tongue and am of course convinced yet again that it is cancer. I have booked a teleconference tomorrow with an oral surgeon, he will do his best to examine my tongue via iphone facetime. Half of me thinks it is due to all the stress of late. Since November last year so many horrible things have happened. As mentioned in earlier posts I lost my beloved dog Dec 6. The tongue business flared up big time and the oral surgeon physically checked me and said all was ok. I had another check in January and same; all ok. Meanwhile 5 weeks ago I had major shoulder surgery which was totally awful. I also kicked my on again/off again toxic 'boyfriend' to the kerb. I thought I had gone through menopause but had a period two weeks ago. Since then the tongue business has again taken over my life. I am also self-isolating with my teenage son and I feel total despair over the outcome of this coronavirus business. I have had to spend $2000 getting some trees removed and having blocked drains cleared. I feel there is nothing but doom and gloom and have no one to talk to. So as one does when worried about cancer I am drinking again! Because it is right now the only thing that takes the sharpness away from everything. Needless to say I will wake up in the middle of the night and have another panic attack...I truly am my own worst enemy. Please if anyone out there can help me I will be so grateful. I worry sick about my son as he is totally addicted to his computer and basically gets up at 2pm then is online until 2 am...I try to get him out for walks and to do chores..he complies but only grudgingly. He will be home schooled in two weeks time. That is worrying me also. I just feel so down and out. The small sane part of me realises I am under enormous stress and possibly require counselling and hormone replacement therapy. I deviate constantly between thinking this mouth business is hormone and stress related to thinking the absolute worst where I will have my tongue removed..in which case I would not be able to live Thankyou to anyone who can help me see some reason at this terrible time.

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