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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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roogirl Shock anxiety?
  • replies: 3

Hi Everyone, I have a question which may sound slightly strange or not. Can anxiety start up again after you've had an emotional shock you certainly weren't expecting? I've been lucky these last few months with my anxiety pretty much under control un... View more

Hi Everyone, I have a question which may sound slightly strange or not. Can anxiety start up again after you've had an emotional shock you certainly weren't expecting? I've been lucky these last few months with my anxiety pretty much under control until about 10 days ago when I was told some news which I wasn't expecting. I seemed ok at the time, but the next day I started to have dizzy spells/light head and muscle weakness in my legs. My doctor thinks it's anxiety and has sent me off for blood tests. While in the past the light head and a bit of dissociation has occured, I never get dizzy as such or have muscle weakness. Since most of my anxiety is related to my health of course I think I have a brain tumor etc etc. My psychologist is unavailable for a couple of weeks so am wondering if anyone out there has suffered anything similar? Thanks for listening. Any advice, suggestions gratefully received. Regards Glenda

LevisWarrior Spending Nights away / being in new situations sends me into panic
  • replies: 4

Hi all, This is my first time here and I am really really looking for any help and or ideas to help with the issues I have been experiencing. Some Background I’m in my mid 20’s and male with a wife an child. I experienced anxiety in High School in ab... View more

Hi all, This is my first time here and I am really really looking for any help and or ideas to help with the issues I have been experiencing. Some Background I’m in my mid 20’s and male with a wife an child. I experienced anxiety in High School in about 2009 Which led to me hardly attending school and after leaving high school in 2011 I went into the workforce and had no issues. Since 2011 I have had numerous jobs in Industry ETC and Sales before joining one of the State Government Departments in 2014. I never experienced any real issues with anxiety or being away even when moving towns for a promotion. After being in my new position and town for probably 8-10 months I was sent inter state for a natural disaster. After arriving in this location and being in a new situation I began to feel extremely uncomfortable and anxious, this eventually led me to that afternoon not eating and crying in my room all night, after another day I couldn’t cope and made up a story so I could be flown back home early. I had always spent nights and up to a week away from home at a time and never had an issue. This was the first time I had a major panic attack. Upon returning home I had no issue I felt fine again and eventually mostly forgot and never really had any major issues again until approximately mid 2018 when on a remote 10day work trip. During this I had limited connection to home and half way through really struggled for 2-3 days and eventually came out the other side but having extreme fear of being away from home in unfamiliar ground. Upon getting home I didn’t think to much of it and continued on in life. A few months later o got married and our honeymoon was overseas in which after being there a few hours experienced the same issues and we flew home 1.5 days into our holiday. Ever since then I have lost all confidence and now have issues with being away from home for overnight at all. Even with family and at family houses. My biggest issue than happened this year in which I was offered a higher position in a near by town after being there for a short amount of time I called it off and went into sick leave for about 10 weeks. I returned to work without solving the issues earlier this year and now experiencing the same again currently off work struggling with sever depression and anxiety. i have been seeing a psychiatrist and psychologist but not much seems to be giving and help. I am after any advice and or if anyone else has experienced similar. TIA.

Catlady99 Anxiety, OCD and relationship effects..
  • replies: 4

I have been battling with anxiety and OCD like issues for a long time. Lately my anxiety has been affecting my relationship. My boyfriend will make plans with his mates and I will trust him 100%, however I start to get anxious and run through all the... View more

I have been battling with anxiety and OCD like issues for a long time. Lately my anxiety has been affecting my relationship. My boyfriend will make plans with his mates and I will trust him 100%, however I start to get anxious and run through all the possible problems and worse case scenarios even though I know they won’t happen. Has anyone found some helpful ways to subside the anxiety I feel. I want to be able to trust and not feel worried when my partner goes to do something. For his and my sakes. Thanks for the advice...

TheLastSlice_ofBread I never said yes
  • replies: 5

I don’t feel safe I’m always bracing for the worst Knowing that it hurts Not just from being a kid But through though the experiences I have lived why did people see yes? while I silently screamed no why was i expected to be the best? when I couldn’t... View more

I don’t feel safe I’m always bracing for the worst Knowing that it hurts Not just from being a kid But through though the experiences I have lived why did people see yes? while I silently screamed no why was i expected to be the best? when I couldn’t calm for my much needed rest I feel so damn guilty for the way I feel But feeling is the only thing i have to remind me that ok I am real I’m not perfect Nor am i a defect This is just the way it is My life My journey My me

zbloom Anxiety During Dates
  • replies: 1

Hi, I was diagnosed with GAD a few years ago after my anxiety got out of control during a dating relationship - I thought she was the girl I was going to marry, but started to have real heavy doubts about the relationship (no obvious red flags, I jus... View more

Hi, I was diagnosed with GAD a few years ago after my anxiety got out of control during a dating relationship - I thought she was the girl I was going to marry, but started to have real heavy doubts about the relationship (no obvious red flags, I just started to feel different about it - and very anxious). We ended up breaking up, but this same crippling anxiety has plagued me in other relationships since then. I don't totally know how to describe the feeling, but I start to feel trapped while sitting across the table from the other person, and start to feel very avoidant. Most of the anxiety is very visceral, and not necessarily very mental. I guess my confusion is whether or not this is my intuition telling me I am not into the person, or if I am having major attachment insecurity; I don't want to run from a good thing, but I wonder if I should trust my gut. Telling myself that I just like the person as a friend can give me comfort, but it is so hard to tell what is true.

AlexDeLoser Anxiety deriving from a low form of 'ptsd'?
  • replies: 3

Hello everyone, I just wanted to post this thread in hopes that someone who has had similar experiences with this to provide tactics/solutions. I know this may sound like an insignificant thing to be anxious about, but I feel the need to mention it b... View more

Hello everyone, I just wanted to post this thread in hopes that someone who has had similar experiences with this to provide tactics/solutions. I know this may sound like an insignificant thing to be anxious about, but I feel the need to mention it because it is affecting me. I have really bad driving anxiety - more specifically, with traffic lights (when they turn yellow, and the amount of time they remain yellow). Everytime a traffic light turns yellow even within the distance where its clearly better to go, my heart just starts palpitating like crazy; I can feel it going all throughout my body including my head, and also makes me feel like i'm gasping for air and that I can't breath. Oh, and most times when a yellow light appears, I lock the breaks, which isn't safe either. I don't know if this is worth mentioning: this all pretty much started to happen the first time I locked up on a yellow light. people where looking and laughing at me. At that time, it wasn't even a lack of ability to spatially judge - it had happened because I got lost and was paying attention to the roads rather than the lights; I never had an issue with effective judgement prior to this. It's almost like I lost that ability when it happened. It's hard to 'just practice' to get rid of this mannerism, since there are serious consequences in failing. That being said, it makes trying to get rid of this anxiety really difficult. Nothing I've done (exposure therapy) has really helped me in anyway. I'm unsure of what to do. Anyways, I hope I have made sense, and that someone can help me with this matter. Thanks everyone. Happy new year! (in a few days, of course)

Romy Dating when you have generalised anxiety disorder
  • replies: 11

Hi! I've had generalised anxiety for about 7 years...I am on medication for it now which has honestly changed my life and anxiety definitely doesn't rule my whole life like it used to. However, I do find that when it comes to dating and new relations... View more

Hi! I've had generalised anxiety for about 7 years...I am on medication for it now which has honestly changed my life and anxiety definitely doesn't rule my whole life like it used to. However, I do find that when it comes to dating and new relationships, I struggle a bit with my anxiety and whilst it doesn't always take over my everyday life, it's always sort of lingering when I'm seeing someone new. I've been on a few dates here and there, but I've never been in a serious, long term relationship. I find that I'll go on a first date and I'll be nervous like any normal person, but then it's the second and third dates when my anxiety really starts to show. When I know that I actually like somebody, and I see a future with them, my anxiety is constant. I feel shaky, nauseous, tingly, I don't have as much of an appetite and many other physical effects, even if I'm not with the person..it's just always there. I know myself..I know this is normal for me, and that it's the excitement and the change of seeing someone new who I really like, but I guess I'm just wondering if other people struggle with this when they're dating somebody new and how you deal with it? There's been times when I've taken a quick-acting anxiety pill to calm down and get me through the date, but I don't want to rely on that all the time. Any tips?

mrsanxiety Borderline personality disorder & anxiety
  • replies: 10

I got diagnosed with "borderline personality disorder" about a year ago. I was wondering does anyone else suffer from this alot with anxiety? I feel like im always in my head. I have irrational fears. For example a plan coming down from the sky and p... View more

I got diagnosed with "borderline personality disorder" about a year ago. I was wondering does anyone else suffer from this alot with anxiety? I feel like im always in my head. I have irrational fears. For example a plan coming down from the sky and plowing into me. I type it and it sounds so irrational but i do feel it and do feel it Im in a quiet neighbourhood and every loud noise has me worrying, every helicopter that goes over head i freak out about. Does anyone else have this with their anxiety??

white knight Christmas anxiety and conflict
  • replies: 1

Well by now members here either had a good happy Christmas or they didn't. Upon reflection how was yours? For decades my sister and I endured Christmas's of turmoil, conflict and hidden frustration. We had one member of our family that had no idea wh... View more

Well by now members here either had a good happy Christmas or they didn't. Upon reflection how was yours? For decades my sister and I endured Christmas's of turmoil, conflict and hidden frustration. We had one member of our family that had no idea what life would be like if she just enjoyed her children and grandchildren- our mother. It was only when my sister and I reached our 50's we decided we would put in boundaries to adverse behaviour to try and protect our children from abuse and hopefully have a calm Xmas gathering. That didnt happen so 9 years ago we severed our relationship with her completely. Radical? Maybe but our Christmas gatherings without her have since been 100% comfortable and includes laughter and love. This is one example of controlling your own life. Toxic people, yes even parents, have no room in our lives now, we simply wont tolerate it. Why? Why not tolerate other people that are annoying? Well there are limits. We often discuss here about people that likely have or do have a mental illness that wont seek help. Such people in the end, we cannot help so it becomes a "do we tolerate them or do we reject them"? Rejection is a tough action but it can become so toxic that there is no other option or your life becomes a ruined state. As leader of our own little families with kids we decided to protect them and ourselves. It isnt easy knowing your parent is now elderly and we wont see again. We hear from others how she is fairing, her anger of us etc, we have to allow others to express as long as they have no demands of us. But in the end we must control our own lives and be decisive, yet I know of other families that every Xmas they have conflict. Such conflict would not occur if one party stayed away for the day. One friend has done just that, he will not attend his family gathering Xmas day to avoid the yelling and heartache. He indeed waits till the 27th to visit his parents and sister. He has never felt it was a bad move. Christmas day if not a happy day is a wasted day. It brings up old wounds. Many people would suspend the day but they feel their opposition will "win" by having the day with family, it should not be a competition, in fact, you win by being mature and taking the better stance and avoiding the meeting. So next year think hard about how you are going to spend Xmas day. If you have a mental illness think about protecting yourself from any conflict. Do you have any thoughts on this and recommendations? TonyWK

sim777 Derealization and anxiety/depression disorder, the 'scary' anxiety infliction, but it can be managed.
  • replies: 2

I've had anxiety/panic disorder/depression for over 45 years with Dearealization, I'm 59. It's a scary experience that can last for minutes, hours or months. Sadly, it is under reported in the media and the general population has no idea of how debil... View more

I've had anxiety/panic disorder/depression for over 45 years with Dearealization, I'm 59. It's a scary experience that can last for minutes, hours or months. Sadly, it is under reported in the media and the general population has no idea of how debilitating this condition is as there is no cure. I can have daily physical symptoms (Somatisation) as a juxtaposition to anxiety/panic disorder. They are debilitating and keep me socially reclusive and unable to function normally. I hear a lot of sports people talking about their story of depression, wonderful for awareness, but panic disorder and the daily physical/discomfort is not really a known issue to the public. If one has a broken arm in a sling, people will know something is wrong, no need to explain, right? With mental health, most of us put on a brave faces and a 'smile' so we don't suffer the wrath of 'you look fine'..get on with it! I was a record producer/writer of some of Australia's iconic artists. I struggled daily at the height of my humbling ARIA awarded career. I had a great psychotherapist using role play therapy as a method to live with acute panic disorder. Sometimes giving a symptom a 'name' can also reduce the anxiety about ..the anxiety! The first step for help is to talk to a GP and if they don't 'get you' another will. Mental health disorders are such an invisible infliction and family sometimes will not believe or understand how you feel. An ex partner, who was concerned about my condition at the time was once told by her brother, "give him a hard time and he'll snap out of it" - WRONG!! There are so many roads to recovery. Being kind to yourself is a good start and not worrying about what others might think. Trying to achieve 'one win per day' no matter how small is a great mantra, I know what it's like being bed bound due to horrific depression. Another, whether it be depression or anxiety is occupation of the mind, a real key. 'Acceptance' is another. Anything that takes you away from the conscious state you are presently in can work. Yes, Derealization and all the awful symptoms may return, but it's a reminder that they can and will dissipate. Congratulations to all at Beyond Blue and all the forum contributors, you are empowering other sufferers to have hope. Derealization really needs awareness, It's known as the 'scary anxiety symptom', but no one mentions it and it doesn't need to be scary.