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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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SquireHarbour State of identity crisis
  • replies: 1

Hello, everyone on Australia Day. Or other names if feel compelled to. I feel insanely anxious and scared right now. At least for one day out of one year where we are supposed to reflect and respect our history, but all I see is anger, divisiveness a... View more

Hello, everyone on Australia Day. Or other names if feel compelled to. I feel insanely anxious and scared right now. At least for one day out of one year where we are supposed to reflect and respect our history, but all I see is anger, divisiveness and polarisation of our society into two camps. As this January 26 saga continues on, the more and more I feel like my home, my identity and my entire story is going to be taken away from me and shoved into some easy going narrative and I just can't stand it anymore. I feel like my entire identity will be used to bash me over the head on why I can't be pure. My entire Australian story will be taken away from me and I can't do squat about it. Its really cheap to say it honestly, but both sides of the debate, at least in my view, will twist the story me and so many other immigrant born Aussies are experiencing into pigeonholed narratives, the counter rally people will say that somehow tolerating the existence of Australia Day means that I support genocide, and the government will say that not supporting the day to the hilt means I am not a true blue.... what can I do? Help.

Jessiesgirl Stressed and over anxious
  • replies: 1

Hi everyone, i feel like I have been bottling this up for so long. My anxiety is getting worse and worse. I no longer feel like me. im 30 years old, a mother of two beautiful children and a supportive husband. the past two years for my family hasn’t ... View more

Hi everyone, i feel like I have been bottling this up for so long. My anxiety is getting worse and worse. I no longer feel like me. im 30 years old, a mother of two beautiful children and a supportive husband. the past two years for my family hasn’t been the greatest. Last year we lost my mother in law, who I was really close to. My family misses her, and my husband still isn’t coping with her lose. In 2018 we almost lost everything because If a court case. My husband and I almost got divorced because of this. We went from living a lavish life style to having to sell all the furniture in our house to eat. In amongst all of this my little family were involved in a serious car accident where our car was ridden off. Then my own mother got sick and almost lost her kidneys. Even though all these bad things happen my family still pulled though. Unfortunately, due to all these events I have been left with extreme anxiety. I worry constantly that something bad is going to happen to my children ie illness, car accident. I always worry that something bad will happen to them and I end up over thinking everything they have. I worry about my appearance, I feel embarrassed of myself. I worry about money but I can’t stop spending it. Because it makes me feel better about myself, this causes a lot of arguments with my husband. I worry about what everyone thinks about me. my husband gets upset with me because I get used a lot. For example; I was made to work 60 hours in one week, and only got paid for 38 hours. They told me the rest was Time in lieu. My husband is upset with me for not speaking up and telling them to pay me properly. Im mentally and physically exhausted. I yell and scream at everyone, because I feel like a failure. im at a loss. I’m struggling and I’m always sad (I don’t want to self harm).

Hound_Dog Panic attacks for fifty years
  • replies: 1

My first panic attack happened when I was sixteen years old. I had no idea what was happening to me and I felt both scared and embarrassed and was unable to share my experiences with either friends or family. By the time I was nineteen I was working ... View more

My first panic attack happened when I was sixteen years old. I had no idea what was happening to me and I felt both scared and embarrassed and was unable to share my experiences with either friends or family. By the time I was nineteen I was working in a factory and once again the attacks started again and I could no longer work. I went to a doctor who advised counseling and completed the course. The counselor advised me that my anxiety and panic attacks were caused by the fear of rejection a diagnosis that I still believe all these years later to be a correct. The constant fear of rejection has resulted over the years of being scared in social situations where I feel extremely self conscious. First at school, then work and social gatherings. I am not competitive, cannot deal with aggressive people or people who are incapable of treating people as equals. I still have panic attacks but have learnt to deal with them so that they are not affecting my quality of life too much. I'm fortunate to have a supportive partner and moved to a better environment when I retired. Here is a list of some of the things that I have found that help me to cope with panic attacks. I practice mindful meditation every day. Walk every day. Have a dog that gives me unconditional love. Spend time with nature and absorb its beauty. Drink alcohol in small quantities. Drink decaf coffee. Eat a healthy diet and love to cook. Have regular health checks. I guess I wanted to write this post to share with other sufferers that I have accepted my condition, that it will always be with me but it can be managed with hard work and commitment.

pinkwren Has anyone experienced something similar? xx
  • replies: 4

Hi there I'm new to the forum, but just wanted some advice I am a recovered anorexic and I have always been very, very skinny, even way before I developed my eating disorder. I find it extremely difficult to gain weight, no matter how much I eat, not... View more

Hi there I'm new to the forum, but just wanted some advice I am a recovered anorexic and I have always been very, very skinny, even way before I developed my eating disorder. I find it extremely difficult to gain weight, no matter how much I eat, not because I am controlled by my ED, but because it seems like I simply cannot put any weight on. I eat without restriction, and am at a somewhat healthy weight for my body at the moment, though I am told quite frequently that I need to "eat more". Specifically, my spine is mostly the focus point of people's comments, as it sticks out unlike most other peoples. For as long as I can remember, my spine has always been this way, even when I was very young. I'm really insecure about how it looks and the repetitive comments are starting to really upset me because I feel like there is not a lot I can do to change it because it's the way I have always been. I feel anxious going out in public now, where people can see my spine because I'm afraid that people will think that I am 'sick' or still deep into my ED, when this is not the case at all. I'm sorry this sounds so vain, but I just needed to get all of that out. Has anyone else experienced something like this, or have any suggestions as to what I can do? I'm completely open to gaining weight, it's just I have no idea how to go about it because my weight refuses to budge no matter what I do. Thank you so much for reading - I really appreciate it xx

cookiesandcream Anxiety and studying right career path
  • replies: 2

Hi All, I just need some general advice. I have such anxiety about my chosen study career path. I'm currently studying a Bachelor of Education (Primary) and am just about to go into 2nd year. However I really don't see myself in the long term being a... View more

Hi All, I just need some general advice. I have such anxiety about my chosen study career path. I'm currently studying a Bachelor of Education (Primary) and am just about to go into 2nd year. However I really don't see myself in the long term being a teacher. I guess it will suit school holiday's with my family and grandchild and any more future grandchildren. . However my heart is really in studying Law. I have also been accepted into a Bachelor of Laws, but I know that I can only study one degree. Law is really what I would like to study, but I know the hours etc will be ridiculous. And hubby probably would hate that. Plus I know the study for Law degree is very full on, lots of reading (don't know if my family would support me on this decision). It gives me such anxiety, that am I wasting my time with teaching, or should I just finish the teaching degree, then later on do a Juris prudence (law postgraduate). I just can't wait to study law, it really, really interest me. The only other alternative would be to change to Secondary teaching and add legal studies on as my major. help and advice anyone please? my head just can't shut off.

Guest_342 Strange reaction to something that happened?
  • replies: 7

Hi everyone. I hope you are having a nice Christmas / holiday season. I wondered if any of you might have some thoughts to offer about a reaction I felt when a few fairly minor things happened tonight. I was hosting a family dinner for 7 of us. Two (... View more

Hi everyone. I hope you are having a nice Christmas / holiday season. I wondered if any of you might have some thoughts to offer about a reaction I felt when a few fairly minor things happened tonight. I was hosting a family dinner for 7 of us. Two (my uncle and a family friend whom I do not know) were coming late - around 8:30 or 9 - and I had specifically asked my uncle the week before whether they would be having dinner before arriving so I knew how many people to cater for. They said they would eat here, so I bought supplies for 7. My uncle gratefully said to please prepare the food for them too and put it aside until they arrive. Then when they arrived, neither was hungry - they had eaten not long ago but did not acknowledge that I had catered for them. And when they arrived, My uncle advised the other to put their bags in my garage next to the front door, without asking me first. I actually get a little embarrassed about people going in there because it sometimes smells due to my cat having his litter tray in there. They pushed the door instead of sliding it and it broke of its rail and made an almighty crash. Then three of the guys - my dad and two uncles - spent the next half hour trying unsuccessfully to fix it. My first uncle cut his finger and got blood all over the place and didn’t clean it up - I had to. Then when I went up to the bathroom to see if he was alright, he and the other uncle were in there, and they had opened my cupboard and opened a bar of soap. I feel like my bathroom cupboard is my private domain and I feel like my privacy has been invaded. And I also did not give them permission to touch the soap - there was plenty on the basin. I didn’t say anything about these things but I felt unhappy for the rest of the night and told my dad I was done with the night. My dad said he’ll come over in two days to help me fix the door, which I am very grateful for - because I won’t need to pay for a tradesperson. But in the mean time I don’t know how to keep my cat out of the garage while I am driving in and out without having that door. I was in tears after everyone finally left. And now I feel like I have made Christmas unpleasant and that I didn’t show gratitude for the lovely gifts I received and company I had. I just wanted everyone to leave. I know I am over-reacting to these little things and don’t understand why it has upset me so much.

Mark1295 Anxiety and poor relationships/friendships
  • replies: 1

I have gone through many relationships that have not lasted at all. I do happen to suffer social anxiety too. First one failed because I was too needy. Second failed, because I was dumping problems onto the other person. Third one failed, because I w... View more

I have gone through many relationships that have not lasted at all. I do happen to suffer social anxiety too. First one failed because I was too needy. Second failed, because I was dumping problems onto the other person. Third one failed, because I was projecting too much of issues onto them. My friendships have not really lasted as I overburden them or often fail to make my needs communicated. .. A lot of the time, I feel bad for making my own needs met, often overapologise and feel insecure about the connections I make. Unfortunately, anxiety and insecurities are the black holes of relationship energy. The most frustrating bit is, I'm very self aware about anxiety, but I can't stop it. It is like a train that keeps running off the rails, even the operator knows that it's gone off tracks. .. What can I do about this? My last cousellor wasn't very particuarly helpful.

Bain1979 Anxiety attacks
  • replies: 4

Hi . I recently had a anxiety attack or panic attack i ended up in emergency coz i felt like i was a goner. I had a few of them in past nothing like i experienced that nite... cant seem to shake the chest pain the tightnesss .. do i see someone or ri... View more

Hi . I recently had a anxiety attack or panic attack i ended up in emergency coz i felt like i was a goner. I had a few of them in past nothing like i experienced that nite... cant seem to shake the chest pain the tightnesss .. do i see someone or ride it out

Island11 Physical symptoms of anxiety
  • replies: 4

I have had a sore dry throat since before Christmas and my gp thinks I have had a virus and have globus due to my anxiety. i have now started on medication and am seeing a psychologist but these physical symptoms of anxiety are getting the best of me... View more

I have had a sore dry throat since before Christmas and my gp thinks I have had a virus and have globus due to my anxiety. i have now started on medication and am seeing a psychologist but these physical symptoms of anxiety are getting the best of me. i have sore tight dry throat ear pain loss of appetite early satiety unintentional weight loss (3kg in 10 days) and some diarrhoea. All of my googling tells me i need to see a dr yet he seems unconcerned. I wonder how many of my symptoms are related to the virus/anxiety/. My dr told me to go back and see him in a month but it has only been 10 days and I think I need to go back. this anxiety is exhausting

Ohleaver Health Anxiety & Panic Symptoms
  • replies: 2

Hi all Ive been diagnosed With Health Anxiety & Panic Disorder, also mild depression due to these things. My health anxiety is related to my heart so im constantly monitoring and observing my heart. I had my first panic attack randomly probably due t... View more

Hi all Ive been diagnosed With Health Anxiety & Panic Disorder, also mild depression due to these things. My health anxiety is related to my heart so im constantly monitoring and observing my heart. I had my first panic attack randomly probably due to anxiety\stress of my break up with my recent ex-girl friend. I thought i was having a heart attack and something was wrong with me, got sent to hospital and dis-charged after i calmed down with no issues. Ive been getting stabbing chest pain mostly in my left side on and off sometimes very intense sometimes very mild for about 2 years now since i broke up with her but just lately it has started to get to me thinking its a heart attack. Does anyone else get stabbing chest pain? Ive been to a cardioligist and my heart has been completely checked out and is working fine. Lately ive realised i spike in anxiety symptoms ( Chest pain in left side (stabbing) , skipped heart beats maybe 5-10 times a day and excessive worry that there is something wrong with my heart. On the good side i have started doing alot of things i was scared of, such as physical activity and i have learnt to not fear my panic attacks anymore so they have declined. But the exsessive thoughts, skipped or extra heart beats and stabbing chest pain is still there. How am i supposed to stay calm and be happy when these symptoms occur and cause me more anxiety? Right now i believe im close to coping with my anxiety but the stabbing chest pain is probably the one that still gets me and makes me think oh no what if something actually is wrong with my heart cause it shouldnt be stabbing pain like that? I find it hard to believe that stabbing chest pain in the left side thats on and off is a symptom of anxiety. Even though my heart has been checked out i still worry. Ive had these stabbing chest pains on and off for the past 2 years so surely if it was heart related id be dead by now? Anyone experiencing the same or similar thing?