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

JWolf17 Moved in on-campus, my social anxiety is far worse than I thought it was
  • replies: 4

I've just moved away from home for the first time to do my Masters degree. I'm living on-campus in shared accommodation with about 7 or 8 other people living on the same floor as me. 1.5 weeks after moving in, I've found my social anxiety is severely... View more

I've just moved away from home for the first time to do my Masters degree. I'm living on-campus in shared accommodation with about 7 or 8 other people living on the same floor as me. 1.5 weeks after moving in, I've found my social anxiety is severely affecting my quality of life at my new home. I've found myself actively listening to hear if anyone is in the hallways whenever I want to leave my room, and have really struggled to leave my room for any reason if I can hear other people talking. As a result, I haven't really met anyone. I've only had one conversation with another person living on my floor. This has been really disheartening, as before the move I was really excited. I saw this as an opportunity to gain independence, to make new friends, to really live my own life for the first time. Although I've had anxiety issues in the past, I was really confident that I would be able to handle this, and that I'd really enjoy it. I thought I was better at controlling my anxiety than I am. My social anxiety has also affected my eating habits. On several occasions I've skipped out on meals because I can here people in the kitchen and the dining room from my room, and for whatever reason my brain flips out and decides that going hungry is the preferable option over cooking in the presence of other people and potentially having conversations with them. I can rationalise to myself that this isn't healthy, that the more I talk to people the easier it will get, and that talking to people will more likely end positively than negatively, but it's just not enough to push me into leaving my room. I'm worried this will send me into a downward spiral mood wise if it continues as is (I've already felt my mood fluctuating quite a lot), and that my physical health will start to decline if I continue to skip out on meals. I'm just not sure how to handle it.

M1ssjess89 Is this anxiety??
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I am freaking out badly. I suddenly developed nerve issues this week. I get pins and needles in my fingers and toes on and off. I get itchy all over my body in random spots. From my head to my feet. But it's a nerve itch/tingle. I get abit of burning... View more

I am freaking out badly. I suddenly developed nerve issues this week. I get pins and needles in my fingers and toes on and off. I get itchy all over my body in random spots. From my head to my feet. But it's a nerve itch/tingle. I get abit of burning on and off in my feet. I went to a physio and i still have strength etc so she thinks its all just from anxiety. My anxiety has been the absolute roof and this made it worse. I am in constant dread this is the start of something worse. I cannot calm down. I'm seeing My regular doctor tomorrow. I have bipolar and also anxiety issues. But ive never had physical symptoms to this extent. Could this just all be from anxiety?

blank_paper Feeling confused after bushfire impacted property
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Hi..My property and all of my neighbours were heavily impacted by bushfire..I still have my house...large percentage of neighbours have lost theirs. It has been 8 weeks nearly. I have been strangely calm and accepting of everything..waiting for the a... View more

Hi..My property and all of my neighbours were heavily impacted by bushfire..I still have my house...large percentage of neighbours have lost theirs. It has been 8 weeks nearly. I have been strangely calm and accepting of everything..waiting for the anxiety wave that I usually get after things happen in my life (nothing has ever happened like this) The best way I can describe it is that I feel like a blank piece of white paper. I am nervous about bringing this to life..I think because it might spiral my nerves and anxitey out of control. I am sleeping fine..until about 5am then I keep thinking about all the things I have to worry about....their is so much to deal with..and everything seems to be at a standstill..after the initial event..I was constantly busy organizing things...insurance.. getting power back on..feeding cattle etc...should I talk about it..or should I just keep a lid on my anxiety ...and wait for it to bite me in the bum further down the track LOL...I am usually very quiet person..that has always felt in control of my life - family etc. Thanks. I am actually getting a anxious feeling as I am typing this.

bananaboat05 experiencing anxiety in regards to the unknown
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hi everyone, im 19 years old and ive recently been accepted into my dream uni course. im very excited for this new chapter but as im lying in bed, (the night before orientation) i begin to feel so overwhelmed by it. my heart is racing, i develop asth... View more

hi everyone, im 19 years old and ive recently been accepted into my dream uni course. im very excited for this new chapter but as im lying in bed, (the night before orientation) i begin to feel so overwhelmed by it. my heart is racing, i develop asthma attacks, i get a weird sensation in my stomach and then i just burst out crying. ive always struggled with new situations such as starting high school, starting uni, starting at a new job etc. i also struggle a lot with staying away over night from my mum however i think this stems from being hospitalised for 6 months when i was 5years old. am i the only one who struggles big time with new situations and gets worked up about the unknown?? i meditate, exercise regularly and eat well but it only helps me a bit. they work for a small period but the anxiousness creeps back in...

happy_one worry wart
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Hi, im completely new to this but I would love some advice on how to cope with social anxiety. My partner cops it the most and I’m sick of doing that it’s putting a huge strain on our relationship. It happens when he goes away and then I go out with ... View more

Hi, im completely new to this but I would love some advice on how to cope with social anxiety. My partner cops it the most and I’m sick of doing that it’s putting a huge strain on our relationship. It happens when he goes away and then I go out with some of his friends girlfriends and I try to get along with them but it feels like they aren’t interested in me or I’m putting more effort in and not getting much in return and I get really anxious about this as I feel it’s getting worse and it makes me not want to go out. I want to stop burdening this on my partner and find some coping mechanisms when he isn’t around to help me get through it. I also get very anxious when he’s away or out I don’t know why, i worry all the time about things. It’s not healthy. I want to be a mum one day and i don’t want this to be part of my life. It sounds very petty but it’s real and a real feeling.

HSPme Work anxiety: any tips?
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Hi all Im just about to start a casual role as an SLSO in schools. This is a good thing as I really need the money and am a qualified teacher, so this will be a good chance to have lessened responsibility due to my mental health. Work is a big trigge... View more

Hi all Im just about to start a casual role as an SLSO in schools. This is a good thing as I really need the money and am a qualified teacher, so this will be a good chance to have lessened responsibility due to my mental health. Work is a big trigger for my moderate-severe anxiety, and it is really controlling my life. Its really counterintuitive, I know, but as soon as someone calls me for work, it’s like my throat closes up, my chest constricts and I get dizzy and extremely panicked. Many times, out of sheer terror, I’ve said no. Just for a bit of relief from the panic. I know this is not healthy but I honestly don’t know how to get around this. It isn’t just this job - it’s every job I’ve ever had. I’m terrified of being called in the morning for casual work, even though I need the money. The one time I’ve “stuck it out” and taken a day casual teaching, I broke out in massive hives and welts from the stress. I also get chronic stomach aches from the worry and most nights struggle to sleep from this. Has anyone overcome this? Thanks

AmyLillian Medical certificate for anxiety?
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Hi, I was wondering if a GP is going to give me a medical certificate due to the fact that I’ve had to have the last 2 days off because my panic attacks and generalised anxiety have been intense (and I’ve been sobbing on and off constantly) the last ... View more

Hi, I was wondering if a GP is going to give me a medical certificate due to the fact that I’ve had to have the last 2 days off because my panic attacks and generalised anxiety have been intense (and I’ve been sobbing on and off constantly) the last two days due to going through a separation from from my partner of 10 years? Or will they knock me back for that?

Sage193 Anxiety is back,Emergency contraceptive pill & intrusive thoughts
  • replies: 9

Hi all! I’m new here and this is my first post I have suffered anxiety and depression since I was 14 (now 25) when I was younger I saw a psychologist who I owe so much to he taught me so much and I was able to enjoy my life with the techniques he tau... View more

Hi all! I’m new here and this is my first post I have suffered anxiety and depression since I was 14 (now 25) when I was younger I saw a psychologist who I owe so much to he taught me so much and I was able to enjoy my life with the techniques he taught me..up until now. Recently I had to take the emergency contraceptive pill and I was fine until 3 days after I took it and my anxiety was back and worse than ever. I have been having intrusive disturbing sexual thoughts that make me so sick that I throw up and have panic attacks. I know these thoughts aren’t me and I know I would never act upon these thoughts but still having them play on a loop in my mind is taking it’s toll. I have been meditating through the app Headspace and this past week taking Blackmores executive B stress I feel like these two together are helping. I was on a waiting list to see a psychologist but was removed last week because the dr I was going to see no longer works there. So I’m back to the gp on Tuesday for a new referral. Sorry for rambling my main question is to see if anyone else has had a similar experience with the emergency contraceptive pill? I truely believe it has bought back my anxiety and I would just like to hear your experiences. And the intrusive thoughts if anyone has experience with them.

sunflower32 My Story.
  • replies: 3

So basically, the first time I hurt myself was when I was 8 years old. That young I had eating problems, I would always overeat - or just binge eat. I still do that now, and I sometimes refuse to go out because I think I look fat. I always try to at ... View more

So basically, the first time I hurt myself was when I was 8 years old. That young I had eating problems, I would always overeat - or just binge eat. I still do that now, and I sometimes refuse to go out because I think I look fat. I always try to at least minimise my eating, but when it comes to it - I eat more. I've currently gone through a situation that has left me with anxiety and depression. Last year one of my best friends started ignoring me and talking behind my back. Now my closest friend i've known for 9 years has officially just ended it. I don't know what I did, were they embarrassed of me? Was I just annoying to them.. I never show anyone my depression side, but with my 9 year friendship - I did. She stuck with me through anxiety attacks and breakdowns. I stuck through hers as well. And now she leaves. I just feel like drowning, no body really does like me do they. i'm fat, annoying, ugly and embarrassing to be seen with. i get it.

Mez79 Scared & waiting
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Hi. I don't know if I'm in the right place or if anyone can help. And where do I begin. I'm pretty scared at the moment. I've been to my GP because I've been feeling constant pressure in the backside. 1 test has resulted in a negative but physical ex... View more

Hi. I don't know if I'm in the right place or if anyone can help. And where do I begin. I'm pretty scared at the moment. I've been to my GP because I've been feeling constant pressure in the backside. 1 test has resulted in a negative but physical examination has lead to feeling a mass and therefore a colonoscopy is required. I guess my question is how do you go about the day in limbo. Its hard to ignore the sensation as it's present every day. In the meantime I'm waiting on the appointment with a specialist. I can't help thinking worst case scenario. What would you do while you're waiting on an outcome. Sorry for the rambling I'm guessing fear is taking over. I'm already in a negative environment as I live with my parents dad who is severely depressed mum has been his primary caretaker and I also worried that she can not do with added more stress from me. We are seriously a household of nervous Nancy's at the moment.