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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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Bella_93 Dealing with anxiety triggers
  • replies: 3

Hey everyone, When I had a breakdown back in August 2018, my brain created a scenario up in my head to cover the fact that my anxiety was going through the roof about family members causing trouble. Now this trigger to my breakdown is what keeps my a... View more

Hey everyone, When I had a breakdown back in August 2018, my brain created a scenario up in my head to cover the fact that my anxiety was going through the roof about family members causing trouble. Now this trigger to my breakdown is what keeps my anxiety occuring even though I know its not real. Any tips on how to deal with this? Muchly appreciated!

NixonQueen Social Anxiety, low self esteem nightmare
  • replies: 3

Hi there, I’m new to these forums. I thought I’d have a read and see if what I’m feeling is real and why I’m feeling the way I am long story short, I’ve always had difficulty making new friends I’ve always clung onto a couple of really good friends, ... View more

Hi there, I’m new to these forums. I thought I’d have a read and see if what I’m feeling is real and why I’m feeling the way I am long story short, I’ve always had difficulty making new friends I’ve always clung onto a couple of really good friends, however I can never seem to make my own. I have many acquaintances, but always feel as if though I’m not good enough to be their friend or that I’m not interesting enough and it deflates my self esteem and I give up on it. I crave social interactions but at the same time it scares me and I don’t know why. I have recently started seeing a guy who is really nice, we get along really well. He is a social butterfly And has so many friends that when he invites me to his gatherings I get so much anxiety about it. I worry about what people would think of me, whether I’m going to say something awakened or whether people might think I’m weird and bland because I’m a shy quiet drawn back person and I hate it. I hate feeling that way. it makes me want to break up with him and avoid it all together. I’ve been to a few gatherings now and I made myself go and it wasn’t as bad as I thought but I still sit there and worry about what people think of me, I find myself scratching my fingers and I notice it and stop myself but I want it to end. what do I do? my whole life I’ve been like this, I’m almost 30 and I just want to enjoy my life and make friends and live life to the fullest but it’s really hard

Nyny94 OCD taking over my life!
  • replies: 5

Recently I developed a chemical contamination OCD , I feel huge amounts of guilt and fear that I'm going to posion people I love or be poisoned. I recently moved and after finding cockroach feces made the mistake of resorting to something I previousl... View more

Recently I developed a chemical contamination OCD , I feel huge amounts of guilt and fear that I'm going to posion people I love or be poisoned. I recently moved and after finding cockroach feces made the mistake of resorting to something I previously used at home Pineoclean wipes the tropical blossom ones, I've used them before. But this time after using them I developed a crippling intrusive thought and now I'm terrified to use anything t h ey touched including the stove , benches and sink. I've suddenly developed this crippling fear that because I sprayed the tap with vinegar that it might have had chemical residue that is now in the water so I'm afraid. Not to mention my partner doesn't like chemicals so I'm feeling hopeless and guilty, I'm having these terrifying thoughts of posioning my self or someone I love because of my action s and I'm blaming myself big time. The biggest fear is unknown, I went to call the number on the back of the wipes but nearly vommitted from panic. I know I'm probably worried for nothing, but I can't stop my intrusive thoughts, I've reconsidered replacing the whole tap and sink but I'm renting. It's frustrating the crap out of my boyfriend, but I'm so terrified I've contaminated things and I have myself to blame. This OCD is my worst enemy! I'm seeing a dr but I'm terrified to use my own things in my rental as I'm feeling unsafe and trying to tell my partner not to use them only frustrates him. I can't help but think I'm responsible for all this , and I shouldn't have cleaned with the wipes at all , the guilds eating me too !!! I'm afraid and stressed out to the point I feel miserable and hopeless and like an idiot

SilvaLady Anxiety of not getting a job
  • replies: 11

Hello, I know that there a couple of threads on anxiety and work. I have unemployed close to 5 weeks, but have been looking for jobs in the aged care sector. I have joined couple of agencies, being told that I would get shifts. So far I haven't been ... View more

Hello, I know that there a couple of threads on anxiety and work. I have unemployed close to 5 weeks, but have been looking for jobs in the aged care sector. I have joined couple of agencies, being told that I would get shifts. So far I haven't been getting shifts. I have applied for close to 10 aged care places, but only 2 have replied that I wasn't successful. A friend told me that they would put in a word in for me, but so far I haven't heard a thing. My anxiety levels go through the roof at times, and my mouth feels dry most of the day (although I drink plenty of water). I like to work, as it makes me feel like that contributing to the community. I don't know how much longer I can cope with this. I stay in regular touch with some friends, but sometimes I feel like a burden as they jobs and family. Thanks for reading, SilvaLady

jackf Post-Pet-Adoption-Anxiety. Does it get better?
  • replies: 4

Hi all, I adopted a 9 week old rescue kitten 5 days ago, and with my beautiful furry friend also came a giant smack in the face of anxiety and remorse. I have never been a pet owner before, and certainly did not know everything there was to know abou... View more

Hi all, I adopted a 9 week old rescue kitten 5 days ago, and with my beautiful furry friend also came a giant smack in the face of anxiety and remorse. I have never been a pet owner before, and certainly did not know everything there was to know about how to raise a kitten prior to my adoption. While it is wonderful having a companion sometimes, and she really is a beautiful pet, I feel like my lifestyle has drastically changed and I feel my emotional state crumbling. Prior to my pet, I enjoyed living alone in my own (purchased) apartment. I absolutely love my alone time - it helps me unwind and settle myself. I need alone time to feel sane. Unfortunately I've realised that this lovely little feline has now taken over that precious alone time, and she constantly needs my attention. I can barely have 30 minutes before she's meowing, or jumping on me, or starting to chew on something she shouldn't be. I attend to her and give her what she needs, but I feel like I've sacrificed my own alone time. As a result I've had constant anxiety over the last several days, lack of sleep, panic, and bouts of depression. I imagine that this period is as much an adjustment for the kitten as it is for me, and that takes time. But I don't know if the long-term responsibility will mean I've sacrified something permanently. I have considered the heartbreaking option of giving her back, but I don't want this to be the solution. I want to explore everything else first. So, I ask pet owners - Have you experienced this before? Did it improve with time? As kittens grow older, are they more self-sufficient? Can I expect to have some alone time returned to me? Thanks in advance, Jac

ATHL2017 Quit your Job due to Anxiety and Depression
  • replies: 18

Hi all, I'm new to the forum but I have been a reader for a while now. I am currently working in a Government job making around 70k a year. I have suffer from social anxiety and depression due to my job. I feel like everything I do is judged and what... View more

Hi all, I'm new to the forum but I have been a reader for a while now. I am currently working in a Government job making around 70k a year. I have suffer from social anxiety and depression due to my job. I feel like everything I do is judged and what my appearance is against people I work with. I really want to quit my job to give me some time to heal and find a way to deal with my anxiety and depression but my family keeps saying how proud they are that I work for the Government and if I quit, I will disappoint them. If you guys have any tips on what I can do or what may help me improve my current situation, please let me know. Thank you for all you posts. Its very inspiring to know that others have been in my situation but have fought through.

LesDave Managing my Anxiety Through 12 Months of Cyber Bullying
  • replies: 1

I would have been totally destroyed if not for the Beyond Blue forums during the past 12 months. The tips and tricks have helped me stay sane when some days I was sure I would end up curled on the floor. Thanks to those who had nice things to say to ... View more

I would have been totally destroyed if not for the Beyond Blue forums during the past 12 months. The tips and tricks have helped me stay sane when some days I was sure I would end up curled on the floor. Thanks to those who had nice things to say to my posts. The big takeaways for me were to try and stay in the present moment and use the acceptance and commitment therapy tricks. '' They really helped. So thanks folks. I figure I have a few more years of this bullying unless a miracle happens. The past few weeks have been difficult, my chest is tight with pain most days. But I get through. I have never let on what has happened. Basically some very nasty people created fake social media wrote things about on the internet in my name. When you search my name, the bad stuff comes up first. When employers search for me, the see the nasty things first - and of course they click on it, thus making it even more popular. Cyber bullies know how to manipulate the internet. Google's algorithm sees that people click on the nasty things and figure they are the most useful things to return in a search. Of course nobody clicks on the good stuff, otherwise it wouldn't be a problem. Anyway, to anyone else going through this, stay in the moment and stay close to what really matters.

Purple4 Anxiety walking down stairs, driving anxiety
  • replies: 12

Just wondering if anyone else suffers from anxiety walking down stairs or driving. If I have to walk down stairs my legs turn to jelly and my foot just hovers over the first step as I'm too scared to take it. When I have finally managed the first ste... View more

Just wondering if anyone else suffers from anxiety walking down stairs or driving. If I have to walk down stairs my legs turn to jelly and my foot just hovers over the first step as I'm too scared to take it. When I have finally managed the first step I hold the rail tightly as my jelly legs some how manage to get down. This also happens to me out of the blue while walking, my legs just want to give out on me. My driving anxiety is extreme. I struggle on the open road or traveling at over 80ks. I struggle to explain how I feel but it basically feels like I am driving on a cliffs edge and one false move my car will fall off the road killing me. Can anyone relate to this?

missbexy Panic Attacks When Driving
  • replies: 3

Hi All, I have been suffering with anxiety for as long as I can remember whether it be anxious I'm going to throw up in public, panicking that I will have a panic attack and faint in public, feeling the urge to run when in a crowd of people, not want... View more

Hi All, I have been suffering with anxiety for as long as I can remember whether it be anxious I'm going to throw up in public, panicking that I will have a panic attack and faint in public, feeling the urge to run when in a crowd of people, not wanting to leave my house and when I do immediately feeling anxious or lately, having mild panic attacks when driving in the car. It seems to be specifically when I have to stop at traffic lights and I feel 'trapped'. I am alright if I am in the passenger seat as I am safe in knowing I can jump out of the car and run if I need to which seems to provide some comfort. But having 3 kids, two of which are at school/kindy means I have to go out every day, multiple times a day. I don't go to the shops during the day anymore, I panic if I have to go in to the city as peak hour traffic sends me over the edge! I suppose I just want to know if there's anyone else out there suffering like this and/or if anyone has any advice it would be truly appreciated. I don't want my life to be like this anymore....

annabay Dizziness/pressure in head
  • replies: 1

Hi there, at the moment I’m coming off a medication (only one week of being on it) as side effects were too severe. Since I’ve stopped it I’m experiencing extreme dizziness and this really heavy pressure in my head which makes it feel really tight an... View more

Hi there, at the moment I’m coming off a medication (only one week of being on it) as side effects were too severe. Since I’ve stopped it I’m experiencing extreme dizziness and this really heavy pressure in my head which makes it feel really tight and like my head is about to fall off! Im wondering if anyone else has experienced this? It’s very debilitating and scary even though my doctors have said it’s normal.